Will Rogers once said, "You never get a second chance at a first impression". While Mr. Rogers was talking about people, it also applies to houses, especially when they are on the market for sale. It is important to make certain that the first impression is a favorable one. That's the purpose behind giving you this information. If you have ever been in model homes, you know how good they look. The thought might have even crossed your mind that you'd like to have not only the home, but all the furnishings and decorations, as well. There are some individuals who really know how to make a home look its best without spending a lot of money. There are things that can be done to give it that "model home" appearance, so that prospective buyers will want it and everything else in the house that you are willing to sell. When homes have this kind of appeal, they sell quickly, and usually for the highest price possible. Another interesting characteristic of homes that look this good is that usually the transaction is remarkably free of problems. What more could you want than to get your home sold for top dollar, in short order, without any hassles? If you keep reading, use some of the suggestions before you put the property on the market, you'll be well on your way to one of these successful sales. One word of warning, though....don't wait to see if the house will sell first before implementing these ideas. Once you do decide to do something, don't just do the easy ones or just the bare minimum. The property needs to look good from the street, up the sidewalk, on the front porch, throughout the house, in the darkest closets , and even in the attic. You definitely want to give the impression of a well cared for home. You want the prospective buyer to feel that this home is quality all the way through, not just on the surface. You'll never have more activity on the house than you will in the first three to four weeks of the listing. The reason is simple: there are buyers out there who have seen everything available, and for one reason or another, haven't bought yet. They are just waiting for something new to come on the market. Agents are just as anxious. When that new property does hit the market, buyers and agents both will scramble to look at it. It is common knowledge that the property will usually sell for the highest price during this time. After the initial surge of interest, the only people to look at it will be buyers new to the marketplace. Besides all of the reasons listed above, competition is fierce. Don't be naive. You are competing with every other home that is currently for sale: new and pre-owned, your area and other areas, those listed with agents and those trying to sell themselves. You are even competing with the foreclosures in the market. Homes have proven to be one of the best investments for individuals. They have outpaced inflation and in many cases, had exceptional rates of return. Experienced investors who have rented out a property for long periods of time, know that to get the highest price for the property, the property has to look good. You have to appeal to owner occupants who will pay the highest price for the property because they are going to live there. Typical buyers put all of their savings into the down payment and closing costs and don't have anything left over to improve the home such as replacing the shag carpet. Those buyers will just have to live with that carpet until they can afford to replace it. If buyers have a choice of two comparable properties similar in price, they'll choose the one in the best condition. Just as on the other hand, if two properties are similar in condition, the buyers will choose the one that is less money.

One of the frustrations a professional agent has to deal with is after having made an appointment on a home that will meet the buyer's requirements, driving up in front of the home and having the buyer say, I don't want to look at this. I don't like the looks of the front." It takes a lot to overcome a statement like that, so the first place we're going to start is with the front of the house. Stand at the street and look at the house. If all you can see are trees and shrubs, you have some yard work to do. Landscaping is to enhance the home, not hide it. One of the easiest things to do is trim the shrubs that are overgrown. They should be lowered to a height near the bottom of the windows. If there is ivy growing on the side of the house, remove it. If there are branches hanging low in the yard, you'll need to prune them. A simple rule of thumb is to have all the limbs high enough so you can walk under the tree. The next thing on the list is to clean out the flower beds and make them look good. This means getting all the weeds out and having a distinct border between the beds and the yard. Everyone dreams of a "Home & Garden" type house with flowers in the beds. Why not invest in a few flats of flowers that will last in our warm desert climate? They will add color and beauty to the front of your house. Check with your local nursery to get some suggestions.You might also consider putting some nice looking flower pots on the porch with some red geraniums or some other blooming plants in them. Next, take a look at the front door, and the area around it. If you paint nothing else, at least give it a fresh coat of paint. If the doorbell is broken, replace it. Wash the mail box. Keep the porch swept. Get an attractive mat on which people can wipe their feet.

Start by airing out the house. You are the last person to notice any peculiar odor in your home that may be blatantly obvious to visitors. Go on a search to find the offender. It may be a kitty litter box, a dog bed, a diaper pail or a mildewed shower. Next, wash all the windows in the house, inside and out. While you're at it, clean the window sills, and the bottom of the window jambs, and wash the blinds. If it has been over a year since you've had the carpets cleaned, now is the time to do it. Bare floors should also be waxed or polished, even if they are supposed to be "no wax".

The next item on the "required" list is to clean out all of the closets, cabinets and drawers. Get rid of things you havent't used in the past five years, and pack up anything you haven't used in the past year. Do it without conscience or remorse. You're going to have to do it anyway when you move. The main reason is that it will make the storage space look larger. Surely, you don't want to pay a mover to haul away things that you never use. Closets should look as though they have enough room to hold additional items. You might need to box up off season clothes to make it look that way. Get everything off the floor, and don't have the shelves piled to the ceiling. Anther basic requirement for home preparation is to be sure there is not too much furniture in a room. Even though it may be inconvenient, yu will be far better off by selecting the pieces that look best and putting the others in storage. You can rent one of those mini warehouses for a few dollars a month.

You need to go over the kitchen like a health inspector. Clean the oven and keep it that way, even if it means eating out more often. After cleaning the range, put new drip pans under the burners. Clean around the seal of the door to the dishwasher. Bath tubs, showers and sinks should be freshly caulked. All the grout should be clean and in good condition. There are excellent cleaners that will do the job without tons of scrubbing. There should be no leak in the faucets or traps. Some additional suggestions.... If you have limited counter space, be sure to keep unnecessary items put away. Keep children's toys out of the front yard, and off the sidewalks and front porch. Get the kids to understand the importance of keeping the house looking good while it on the market. Take down the posters until the house is sold. Recognize the difference between decorator touches and clutter or sterility. Clean the ashes out of the fireplace during the season when it's not in use. Keep the television off when the house is being shown. If you don't have time for a garage sale, consider donating things to charity. Make a list of all the items and their estimated value, and be sure to get a receipt. The donation is tax deductible, and may be worth more to you than the time and effort you'd put into a garage sale. The pool needs to be sparkling clean, and free of leaves.

Put bright light bulbs in every socket made for a bulb. Buyers like bright and cheery so you have to keep it from looking like a dungeon. You'll also want to keep the drapes and shades open during the day, even if you're not in the habit, because it will make the property look better. Don't volunteer information to prospective buyers. If they ask you a question, answer truthfully; however, it's often more comfortable for everyone to have the seller leave while the house is being shown. Tell your friends that your home is for sale. You never know where the buyer will come from.