20111222 #RE101 Advice to sellers

Where do we begin.   I guess the first thing I must address is your MLS photos.  For GOD's sake these pictures are the first impression for your house on the Internet.  Your home is marketed 24/7/365 all over the world.

1. Hire a professional photographer!   If your home is professionally staged, your stager will also most likely be taking excellent photos (Before/After) for their website.  Your stager will also look for hidden traps in your photos.   Toilet seats down....nobody wants to see that.
2. De-clutter and de-personalize your home!   You are moving out of your home pack up your home now.  When you think you are done, do it again.  You may ask what are you going to be doing with all your packed boxes?  There are many moving companies that offer load and go storage containers.
3. Buy lawn seed about 6 months before you put your house on the market and get your lawn in top shape.  It doesn't grow overnight and you need time to let it take hold.   Mow that lawn and rake your leaves.
4. Paint is cheap and it makes a great impression.  If you have Sleeping Beauty Pink walls in your daughter's room and Wrigley Field in your son's room. Paint the rooms to a neutral less personalized color scheme.  You're buyers aren't buying a theme park they are buying a home.  Consult your local hardware store and ask for "Staging safe paint colors" A good professional paint crew can power spray an entire interior in a matter of hours.