Getting Top Dollar for your Home

Spiff up your home before selling. Consumers must put some time and effort into the presentation of their home if they expect to obtain top dollar. Agents advise homeowners to walk through the property with a critical eye and to emphasize those features that attracted them to the property in the first place.

To lure potential buyers, sellers must remove clutter and make the home as clean as possible - especially closets and other storage spaces. Also worth considering are some landscape improvements and a fresh coat of paint where it is most needed.

Real estate professionals advise sellers not to price their home too high, as this will prolong the sale. To determine a fair price, sellers should obtain prices of comparable homes in the same neighborhood.

Many sellers may be tempted to try to market the home on their own, but statistics prove that houses sold through an agent sell faster than those sold without professional help. To select the best agent, sellers should interview several candidates and choose one with experience in the area and with whom the seller has a good rapport. A professional can also guide the sale, helping sellers get the best deal. Once the home is under contract, sellers must make certain that all the appliances function properly and that all repairs are completed. To facilitate the sale, these tasks should be undertaken before the inspection.

"Looks Count When It Comes to Home Sales," Washington Times (08/25/00) P. F1; Murray, Deanna M.

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