Don’t just list your house to sell without any preparation. A few small updates can go a long way towards making a positive impression on perspective home buyers and perhaps sealing the deal.

Make a list of items to improve upon by walking through your house as if you were a buyer. Note the things that catch your eye in a negative way as well as what you can repaint or update.

• Clean, clean, clean some more. Give your home a thorough deep clean. Dust on top of the ceiling fans, polish your appliances and faucets, and give the windows a good washing. If you’ve already moved out or if you’re too busy to stay on top of cleaning, consider hiring a cleaning service to stop by every few weeks.
• Pay attention to smells. Be mindful of what you cook the days you have prospective buyers coming to view your home. You don’t want your home smelling like a fast food restaurant from those burgers you had for lunch.
• Clear out clutter. You want buyers to focus on how awesome your space is; not how messy it looks. Get rid of that pile of shoes in the entry way, that stack of mail on the counter and anything else that would distract buyers from your home’s features.
• Repaint the walls neutral colors. Buyers may have different tastes in wall colors than you do. That awesome red wall in the dining room may be a turnoff for prospective buyers. Paint your walls neutral tones like tans and whites that allow buyers to focus on the space, not the color of the walls.
• Organize your closets. Storage space is a huge selling point. If your closets are as full as possible, buyers may think you don’t have enough of it. Invest in closet organizers, boxes, dividers, and other solutions that will help make your stuff look more organized. If you have to, remove some of the clothes and store them until you move.
• Simplify the décor. To help buyers imagine themselves in your space, get rid of any art or other décor that might turn off people with different tastes. A classic sofa painting is totally fine. But that fuzzy chair in the living room, that doesn't match the room... not so much.
• Let there be light! Open windows to let natural light and add floor or table lamps to areas of the rooms that are dim. A bright, cheery room looks bigger and is more inviting.
• Tackle your to-do list. If you have been putting off that to-do list, make sure you dedicate time to completing it. Buyers will notice the loose door knobs and leaky faucets.
• Make sure each room has a purpose. The spare room you have been using as an office/ guest room/ play room won’t help you sell your home unless buyers can see themselves in it. Decide on a single use, then make sure the room represents that use.
• Boost the curb appeal. Don’t forget to spend some time outside of your house. Make sure your home’s exterior looks excellent. Trim shrubs, weed your flower beds, and keep your walkway clean and clear.

Whether you are planning on listing your property, or selling it at auction, these 10 tips will go a long way. Before you sell, be sure to call KIKO to explore your options.