You can significantly influence the selling price of your property by preparing before putting it on the market. Here are some suggestions to improve a buyer's first impression of your home. Print this out and use it as a reference.   If you would like a free no obligation MARKET EVALUATION on your home, please contact me.   Jeanette Ferrajina William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty 203-253-7121     General   Remove clutter Remove cobwebs from ceilings and corners Remove paint splash on floor and cabinets Clean and polish door hardware and handrails Clean wall switches and outlet covers Clean and tidy basement and attic storage Add plants and flowers throughout the house   House Exterior   Sealed driveway Weed-free driveway and walkways Healthy, weed-free, and trimmed lawn Trees and shrubs trimmed Wash front steps and porch Check front doorbell and bell light Clean or replace welcome mat Repair and repaint fences and gates Clean gutters and downspouts Clean or repaint siding Wash windows and screens Clean shutters   Living, Family, Dining Rooms   Repaint or touch up walls, ceiling and trim Repair or replace damaged moulding Clean and wax hardwood and vinyl floors Shampoo carpet   Bedrooms   Repaint or touch up walls, ceiling and trim Clean drapes and bedspread Shampoo carpet Clean out all closets Clear all bedroom furniture Put away all clothing   Bathrooms   Paint or wallpaper using light colors Scrub tile, bleach, and repair grout Check to see that drawers/doors open easily Clean floor Clean out medicine cabinet Seal around tubs and showers Replace old toilet seats Replace shower window curtains Put out a set of color coordinated bath linens   Kitchen   Paint or wallpaper walls and ceiling with light color Clean floor Clean cabinets and appliances Clean out refrigerator and wash interior Empty dishwasher and clean around controls Check operation of all appliances Arrange and clean food storage areas Clean out cabinets and drawers Neatly display dishes in cabinets Clear clutter from counter tops Check to see that drawers/doors open easily Wash or replace curtains   Laundry   Check operation of appliances Clean all appliances Clean and organize laundry area Provide adequate light to area   Garage   Check operation of wall sockets Remove oil and grease from floor Clean and organize storage Maintain noisy garage door opener 5 Steps for Helping Your House to Sell Quickly Prepare yourself to sell your house. Do your best to see the house, no longer as your home, but as a product to be marketed. This takes some work, especially if you have been in the home for a number of years and have many memories there, but it is necessary if you want to maximize your potential. Consider a professional whole house inspection. An inspection will most likely uncover any major defects before they can cause trouble with a potential buyer. It also is a signal to buyers that you are a responsible seller. Prepare the house. Stand back and look at your house as objectively as possible. Would you buy this home? Ask friends and neighbors to do the same, asking them to be totally honest. Overlooking flaws could cost you money! Get them fixed before you put the house on the market. Do what is necessary to make your house stand out from the competition. Make certain that your house is fresher, cleaner, and better maintained. Remove most of the "imprint" that you have made on the house. Having a few family pictures around is fine, but if your house is a "shrine" to your family--walls full of personal pictures--you should take some steps to depersonalize it. Buyers must be able to envision themselves in the house, which is nearly impossible if everywhere they turn they stare at you!