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Depersonalize - Pack up trophies, photos, dried wedding bouquets.  You want to keep your home personality neutral so buyers can imagine themselves in your home.  If you're way into rock and roll and they enjoy a nice opera, they won't be able to imagine themselves in that space with the Kiss Army posters smiling down at them.

Declutter - You're moving, right?  So start packing now!  Decide what isn't worth moving and toss it or donate it.  Consider renting a storage unit, failing that, is there a corner of the basement, away from the walls, where you can start a nice, neat, orderly pile of boxes?  Pack up all the stuff you won't need in the next few months, if it's summer, pack up the ice skates and winter coats and extra blankets and snow shovels.  Pack up your crystal pig collection - you won't need them in the next few months.  If you can box it, do!  Also, if you keep small appliances on the kitchen counter, move them into the empty space you created when you packed your turkey roaster, inside a cupboard, leave the counters clear.  The same goes for the bathroom, a tube of toothpaste is not a decorative item

Organize cupboards and closets - Some buyers are snoopy, some legitimately want to see if that closet has a rod for hangers or shelves.  Again, toss, donate, or box up what you won't need (if you label the boxes, you can get to it later if you have to).  Just doing that will give you a good start.  Then neatly organize what's left.  A jam packed closet or cupboard looks small.  Clear them out and they will be more appealing to buyers.  Are the hangers and cup handles all facing the same direction.  Are your shoes in a row with the toes facing the same direction?  Is your cutlery in the correct slots in the little plastic tray, or just helter skelter in the drawer?

Rent or Borrow Space - If you can't rent a storage unit, consider asking a friend to borrow some garage space.  Not only do you want to get those boxes out, but any extra furniture.  I house looks more spacious with less furniture, and nobody has to bump their hip on that extra dresser that's too close to the door.  Leave just enough to show the purpose of the room.  And takeing the leaf out of the diningroom table will make the diningroom look bigger too.

Remove "attached" items you want to take - If the buyers never see it, it can't become a contentious issue.  Draperies, fixtures, and even house numbers if they hold a special memory.  Remove them and replace them where appropriate.

1. Make Minor Repairs -
   • Replace cracked tiles, and burned-out light bulbs.  Patch and paint dingy walls in neutral colors.  Fix leaky faucets and loose handles.  Make sure drawers and doors open and close freely.  Fix the leg on the sofa and remove the block of wood you've been using to prop it up.  If you use a stick to block a window or patio door for security, paint it.

Clean it so it Glows! - Pick up every speck of garbage, put everything in it's place.  Hose off the entire exterior, wash windows inside and out.  Recaulk around tubs and sinks and bleach grout.  Wax floors, dust everything, from top of the shelf to under the sofa, polish all metal and mirrors (make sure all handles and knobs are clean!).  Put out your best linens.  Get rid of all odors.  Is there hair on the bar of soap?  Get rid of that too.  Make it glow and keep it glowing, everyday until it's sold.

Pretend you're a stranger - Imagine you've never seen it before and walk through with a critical eye.  Does it seem fresh, spacious and appealing?  Does the furniture arrangement make sense?  Are pictures and window coverings hanging level.  Are all the non decorative items put away?  (Garbage cans, bottles of dishsoap, hairbrushes, mops).

How's the Curb Appeal? - Is everything put away?  Keep the lawn mowed and the walks shoveled.  Trim the trees and bushes.  Plant some flowers, put a potted plant or two near the front door to look welcoming.  If you have pets, stay on top of the mess on the lawn!  Make sure house numbers are clearly visible.