Selling Secrets

Thinking about selling your home? Here are some tips on how to make your home more appealing to potential buyers.

> Appeal to the senses. Consider how to give the entire house a warm and inviting smell. You might install a room deodorizer, brew a pot of coffee, light a soft-scented candle, or sprinkle some carpet freshener before vacuuming.

> Jazz up your curb appeal. Help make your property appear even larger by cleaning out any underbrush and leaves and trimming bushes and trees. If possible, you may want to plant colorful flowers along walkways and in flowerbeds. Although subtle, these changes can make a home much more appealing.

> Create a tidy first appearance. Nothing makes a house seem smaller and more cluttered than a room scattered with children's toys and other items. Consider boxing up rarely-used books, games and toys and storing them in the basement, in the attic or at a friend's home until the house is sold. And for those unexpected walk-throughs, make sure you have a storage bin on hand where toys and other items can be quickly gathered.

> Be prepared for inquiries. Provide your real estate professional with as much information as you can about the home. This can be turned into a fact sheet that can be handed out at open houses or during showings. Also, be sure to give potential buyers honest answers. Tell them what you love about the home and be up front if they ask about drawbacks.