Top Tips for Preparing to Sell Your House

There are many things you can do to ensure the successful sale of your home before it hits the market. Boston Magazine's Bill Janovitz has some excellent tips for sellers in his article "Ten Must-Do's When Preparing to Sell Your House." Some highlights include:

• Hire a trusted, experienced realtor, or successful partnership. Treat this as you would any other hiring transaction. Janovitz recommends interviewing three to four candidates. Look at their references and past 12-months of sales data, paying attention to pricing and length of time on the market. Look at listing price vs sales price. Keep in mind that it is the seller who ultimately sets the price; so one or two overpriced homes are excuseable. However, if you notice a trend of overpriced listings or excessive time on the market, be wary.

• When deciding whom to work with, examine the candidates' marketing materials for previous properties. Make sure listing sheets and other materials are professional and compelling. Photos should be well-lit and high quality.

• Do your part to prepare your home for market. Clean, declutter, depersonalize, pack things away, and paint! Repainting freshens a house and can hide minor flaws. Listen to your agent's suggestions for preparation. [My tip: Buyers should be able to imagine themselves living in the home, and this can be difficult for some if your photos of Aunt Lisa and copies of GQ are scattered about.]

• Maximize curb appeal. Weed, mow, trim shrubs, and replace broken pavers. Put down a layer of dark mulch for a freshly-landscaped look. 

Check out the rest of Janovitz's advice here. Do you have any tips for preparing a home for sale? Share them in the comments section!