Selling a home can be one of the most stressful events in your life.

It doesn’t have to be like that!

You really want to grab buyers’ attention right from the street (Curb appeal)! Once they are inside your home, though, you are going to want to seal the deal!

There are things to do before selling your home that require little effort and are not too costly.  Follow these simple tips to have your home ready to show and sell to all of those potential buyers.

1. Declutter!

Decluttering is always going to go on top of any list. We all have too much stuff!  Go through everything. Donate anything you haven’t used in the past year. Family heirlooms, pictures, keepsakes and memorabilia can be stored away for a while. Give things away to family and friends. Have a garage sale; donate to a local charity shop… You want your home to look as spacious as possible. The fewer things you have inside, the bigger your home will look and feel. You could consider renting a storage unit to store some of the items you don’t need every day. Don’t forget to clean up and Declutter the Garage!

2. Get rid of the dust bunnies!

Dust everywhere dust collects. Don’t forget about the high places (shelves, mantels, etc.). Pay attention to the corners of rooms. Knock spider webs down with a broom. Ceiling fans love to collect dust.  Make sure the fan blades are dust free. Blinds are another item that love to collect dust! Make sure you clean those as well. (I know….not one of my favorite jobs!)

3. Make your home smell good!

Smells are the first thing a potential buyer may notice while house hunting. Scents can be a deal breaker, even subconsciously! (people always remember “the stinky house” – not in a positive way!) Deep cleaning your home can do wonders. You can use plug-in wax warmers, air freshener sprays or even candles while showing your home; just make sure the scent is not overpowering. Whatever you do, make sure your home smells good!

4. Clean glass windows and doors.

Windows and doors bring light in and can be a huge selling factor to a potential buyer. Make sure all your windows are clean, even the window sills, which can collect dirt and dust!. Before a showing, quickly clean the high traffic areas in your home like the patio door. There always seems to be fingerprints on the  patio door. Clean them off!

5. Open your blinds.

When you leave your home for showings, open the blinds – let that sunshine in!

6. Paint trim and door frames

Buy a gallon of trim paint and invest an  afternoon touching up all the trim and door frames in your entire house. You will be amazed at the difference. Paint will make everything look clean and fresh.

7. Wash down light switches and door handles.

Hands are dirty…nobody wants to touch dirty switches and handles! Use a damp cloth and a little bit of all purpose cleaner to clean all these areas. You’ll be glad you did!

8. Straighten and organize the pantry.

Pantries help to sell homes.  straighten the shelves, organize and group like items. Use bins to organize, throw out any expired food, sweep and mop the floor. Wipe down the shelves and line the shelves with fresh liner, if needed.  You want this space to appear as large as possible to have the buyer dreaming about how much room they’ll have!

9. Organize your cabinets. Get rid of extra dishes, cups and plastic containers.

Donate dishes you don’t use. If you have a containers with missing lids; get rid of them! Organize pan lids and like items in bins. Wipe down the inside of your cabinets. Replace the shelf line if needed. Clean out and organize under the sink.

10. Replace all burnt out light bulbs.

Every light bulb in the entire house (inside and out!) needs to be checked. Replace any burnt out ones with fresh bright bulbs.

Now that you’ve replaced all those bulbs….when you leave your house for a showing…..make sure that you turn on your outside lights (even in the daytime). It makes your home feel more welcoming and bright when the lights are on. Leave lamps on in rooms as well as the overhead light. Your home will feel bright and inviting!

11. Double check the bathrooms before you leave for showings.

Check the bathrooms before you leave for a showing. If you have kids, this is a must. Be sure the toilet is flushed  and close all the toilet lids. Make sure the bathroom garbage cans are empty.

12. Take out the trash!

This might seem obvious, but don’t forget to take out the trash before a showing. You don’t want your home to smell stinky!

13. Hide your laundry!

No one wants to see your dirty clothes.  keep your hamper lids closed or try  putting all the dirty clothes in the washing machine.

14. Have a clean sink.

Dirty dishes are the same as dirty clothes. No one wants to see those either! Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher! Dry your sink out using a damp towel when you are finished rinsing dishes. Your sink will shine and hopefully impress a potential buyer.

15. No pets allowed on showing days.

We all love our pets, but not everyone is an animal lover. Find someplace for Fido to go during showings if you can’t take him with you!

16. Vacuum and sweep.

Clean floors are a must. Be sure to vacuum carpets and rugs. Sweep underneath tables and underneath furniture.

17. Add fresh flowers.

Last, but not least, add fresh flowers to your home. It will not only make your home smell amazing, but it will also make your home look and feel great, too