REAL TipS: Selling

Check your home's curb appeal

The three most important factors in selling a house are location, condition, and price. Putting your house on the market requires checking every aspect of your house to repair, freshen, or change whatever is necessary to sell it. Here are tips that will help:

• Overall appearance: Remove any junk or clutter from the yard. This includes tree limbs and leaves, but especially goes for junk cars or parts, lawn tractors, etc. If the exterior of the house is dirty or moldy, give it a good scrubbing. If it needs paint, get competitive bids if you can't do it yourself.
• Grass: If possible, re-seed or sod any bare areas of the lawn.
• Landscaping: Trim all shrubbery and plantings. Trim trees if necessary, especially dead limbs. If the season is right, plant colorful flowers where appropriate. Color experts say that houses will sell faster with yellow trim or yellow-flower borders in front. Add mulch to planting beds and around trees - it's an inexpensive but very effective way of freshening the look of the yard.
• Driveway: If the driveway is stone and not in the shape it once was, add a coat of gravel. If it is asphalt, consider resealing.
• Decks and porches: Powerwash and seal, stain, or paint.
• Gutters and downspouts: Check gutters and downspouts to make sure they are clear and functioning properly.
• Lights: Make sure exterior lights are working.
• Windows: Make sure both the exterior and interior of windows are clean. Replace any worn, cracked, or faded blinds.

Home Seller's Information Center