Tips for a successful sale:

1. Open the drapes and blinds . Natural light is important to buyers. They also want to see the inside of your home as much as possible. Dark dreary homes give bad vibes and many buyers will move on to the next home on the list.

2. Wash the windows . This is a must when selling your home. It promotes curb appeal and it shows the view better from inside.

3. Clean up the yard . Cut back overgrown shrubs, particularly those that obscure windows or hide the entrance to the house. Keep lawn mowed both front and back. Rake or pick up fallen leaves and branches. Keep lawn tools, empty flower pots, kids' toys and bicycles out of site. Replace patio furniture that is rusted, faded or shows signs of wear. Plant some colorful annuals in flower beds or put a few in planted containers on or near the front porch. Don't forget to buy a new welcome mat. A plain black or brown mat will do, no fancy designs or cutesy quotes needed.

4. Remove Clutter . Keep this in mind "clutter eats up equity". Yes it's true, cluttered homes sell slower then neat homes. Don't let this delay your sale. This means packing up all collections, photo frames and trinkets. Box up or throw out old magazines and newspapers. Move all your hygiene products under the sink. Taking down everything from the refrigerator door. If you must have a place to post important notes, tape them inside a cupboard door. Cluttered homes are not appealing to buyers. They create a sense of anxiety and make rooms feel small. You want buyers to notice the selling features of your home like the built-in book shelves, granite counters, etc., not your spoon collection or family portrait.
Buyers need to have space to visualize their own things in a room. It's too distracting when all of your personal effects are present. Another reason to pack up all your items is because you will be moving soon. Moving is stressful enough, get a jump on it early an avoid taking clutter to your new house. Some simple rules of thumb: remove half the contents in your closets, book shelves, under the sink, in your kitchen cabinets and on your desk. Buyers look for storage space when shopping for homes, they will open your closets and drawers.

5. House Plants. Dead or scrawny plants look unhealthy. Some people actually think "if they don't take care of their plants, did they take care of their home?" Avoid impressions like these by removing or replacing dead plants. The same applies to dried flowers. Dried flowers can be romantic or sentimental, but they also look used and faded. Pack them up or throw them away.

6. Kitchen and bathrooms - Kitchens and bathrooms are the most scrutinized rooms from home buyers. Scrub like crazy, particularly the kitchen appliances and counter tops. The older kitchen may need a coat of white paint on the cabinets or new hardware. Clean the stovetop with a good degreaser and make sure you get the inside of the oven. Keep the floor swept and clean during your market time. Store all countertop appliances, canisters, etc and keep cupboard doors and drawers closed. It is crucial that bathrooms sparkle and smell clean. Keep toilet seats down, and all counter tops clear with the exception of a plant or small floral arrangement. Keep all bath and soap bottles under the sink and keep trash empty during showing hours. Fabric shower curtains in solid colors are more pleasing then vinyl. Prints are fine if small and subtle. Avoid loud or strong prints.

7. Refinish hardwood floors . Hard wood floors are a key selling when you have them. They are right up there with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Most times they just need a good polishing or fresh coat of polyurethane to make them shine. If yours are looking dull or have areas that need repairs call a flooring company. Tell them you are selling the house, and make sure to get a few quotes from other companies.

8. Paint / Repaint Your Home . If you have basic white walls or strong colored walls, your home may be passed up. Few buyers like removing wall paper or painting. Plain white walls appear cold and unfinished like primer. A neutral tan or khaki color is best for marketing your home for sale . Avoid anything lighter then Navajo white. One of the best marketing investments next to new carpet is paint. The smell of fresh paint is more effective when marketing your home then almost anything else. If budget is tight, paint yourself and go to your local paint store for "oops" paint. That's paint that is rejected for wrong color or mixed in the wrong sheen. Most stores will mark down the paint to a few dollars a gallon. Make sure you get enough because matching is nearly impossible.

9. Furniture . Take a hard look at your furniture and determine if it's what you really want to take to your next house. This is sometimes hard to do since we become so used to our environments, better have a friend come over and evaluate for you. Sparsely furnished rooms will appear more inviting then rooms with tattered and soiled furniture. If your furniture is over 10 years old, it may create a dated feeling to your home no matter how young it is.