The secrets sellers need to know

Whether you think of it this way or not, you have competition. When you put your home on the market, it does not sit there in isolation. Other, similar, homes are for sale.

So, with competition, you need to make the right moves that draw the right attention to your home. Ideally, in a way that appears natural, comfortable.

Here’s an example to get us started. You want to shine a light on your home. Not a literal spotlight in the sky but do what you can to let natural light shine. Maybe you take down drapes or just clean the windows. But it also doesn’t hurt to put artificial light to work for you by increasing the wattage of bulbs. You want a cheery place, not a dreary place.

Here’s another secret: HGTV and HGTV.COM are good places to get ideas. So, what follows is a combination of their suggestions and my take on a few other things you can do to enhance your home’s appeal.

Stand ready: As in, always be willing and able to “show” your home to prospective buyers. That means keeping the home clean and tidy and your own schedule flexible.

Depersonalize: When strangers walk through your house, they must be able to imagine it as their home. That’s more difficult if your house is a photo gallery, the walls lined with pictures of relatives near and far.

Declutter – everywhere: It should be obvious that having stuff strewn throughout the house hurts you, makes it look smaller and not well-maintained. But here’s another tip: Go through all your closets and reduce what is in them by half. Why? It makes them look larger, delivers the message that there is closet space to spare and that’s always a point in your favor.

Pay attention to the kitchen: In a recent column, I went into great detail on this point. But know this: The kitchen counts. It’s the one room in the house with the power beyond its sheer square footage to sway a sale.

No pets on parade: If you have a dog or cat, or both, it’s best if they are neither seen nor heard. The pet smells they leave behind also need to be combated with candles or air fresheners.

Get their attention: Curb appeal is not optional. You can enhance your home – make a good first impression – with a little landscaping, a pleasing entryway, and walkway lighting for after dark.

Set the right price: The market has changed. Yet too often sellers hurt themselves by first putting a “fantasy” price on their home. That ends up costing you time. Set a good (realistic) price.

With all these points, your REALTOR® can help you make the right choices and make a timely sale.