I am planning to sell my house in the near future. Although it is a very nice house, split foyer type, about ten years old, it could use some refreshing. Any tips on what might be the most important things to pay attention to before listing it?

Oh boy ! you just asked the 64,000 dollar question....

Outside: If your yard is cluttered and has overgrown growth..Clean it out...

Get rid of clutter inside.. Have all the rooms neat and inviting... If you have kids, hide all the toys when a viewing is schedule...

Kitchen: If the cook of the family doesn't like it, you lost the sale... If it needs to be updated, do so... Don't have the cabinet tops loaded with gadgets....

If the house has a dark and gloomy look, repaint to brighten it up....Applies to the outside too...

Have your Realtor go thru the house and point out what would make the house sell better...(Your best source of what to do)

When you lived in a house for so many years, one tends not to realize what a first time stranger sees....

Good luck....

Good ideas, Fritzl. I would add, if you paint, keep the colors neutral. You might love a bright red foyer, but you never know what effect this could have on a prospective buyer.

You could also ask friends and relatives, "Help me please. Tell me -- what is it about our house that has always bugged you, but you were too polite to mention?"

If someone says, "Well, it's that sagging eaves trough, (or that stuffed alligator over the fireplace, or whatever) " then get rid of it or fix it.

This website may help.

All of the ideas above are great.

Here are some of the high-points of the article:

quote:

The absolute priority is to de-personalize your home. A new buyer wants to be able to come into your home and visualize themselves owning the property and making it their home.

Every buyer is looking to get the maximum footage of space for their money. It is therefore in your best interest to make sure your home appears spacious, even if it is not 'big' in real terms.

If your decor is either dated or dilapidated your going to struggle to 'sell your house quickly'.

When you're showing around prospective buyers, make sure there is plenty of light flooding into the house.

If you're selling a family home, have some information at hand on family facilities in the local area.

If you have a front and backyard make sure it is clean and tidy, so as to make the right first impression.

If you have some internal work that is required on the home you are selling, it is a good idea to get a quote from a reputable builder as to what the work likely to cost.

If you have pets get rid of them and any smells that may be present in the house, before any viewing's.

When you're showing buyers around the house, lead them to through the house starting with the best parts first.

In all your conversations with prospective buyers be positive about the house, and never share that your objective is to sell the house quickly.