It can be a lot of work to get your home ready to sell. However, with a little bit of work and some wisely (and carfeully spent) dollars, you can help your home sell faster saving you time and stress. By strategically focusing on a few areas you can stretch your dollar and make your house more appealing to buyers. Some simple fix- ups and a fresh coat of paint can freshen your home and help justify (or increase) your asking price; less work for the buyers can also make for a quicker sale. Here are some key areas to address when getting your house ready to list.

Exterior

1. Do a 360 check:

- look for cracks & crumbling in places like the home's foundtion, walkways, steps, walls, & patio

- clean & align gutters

- inspect & clean the chimney

- repair & paint loose siding or peeling paint on siding and around windows & doors (don't forget the front door!)

2. Think seasonal:

- keep lawn tidy, cut & watered in the Spring & Summer

- make sure walkways are clear and ice/ snow free in the Fall & Winter

3. Curb Appeal- add visual interest:

- plant a few inexpensive annuals for a pop of colour in the graden 

- small ornamental grasses are anothe great budget- friendly option

- use pots of colourful annuals strategically placed by the front door and/ or along the driveway or walkway to draw the viewer's eye; primula, potato vine, and kale make nice statements without breaking the budget (ask your local garden centre for other seasonal & budget- friendly options)

Interior:

1. As with the exterior, look for areas that need a little TLC:

- repair & repaint walls that have chips, dents and/ or have discoloured; replace dated wallpaper with a more contemporary option or neutral paint

- look for cracks, leaks, and signs of dampness in areas such as the attic and basement

- repair broken windiws; fill & repaint cracks and imperfections in mouldings and woodwork

- inspect things like plumbing, the heating & cooling systems, and alarm system

2. Do some simple staging:

- de- clutter an remove personal items- think 'show home' not 'my home'

- buy some inexpensive decorative accents such as towels for the bathrooms, bright fresh fruit or flowers for the kitchen, and maybe some unscented candles to place throughtout the living areas to create warm touches

- update areas such as kitchens and bathrooms inexpensively buy replacing old hardware with new, more contemporary styles 

3. Think 'first impressions':

- before you leave prior to a showing, make sure everything looks fresh & clean to buyer's eyes

- tidy & dust the entry way; put away shoes & turn on a lamp to create a cozy first impression 

- turn on lights throughout the house and do spot checks as you go from room to room, looking for items that need to get put away before you leave

Your realtor can help you identify areas around your home- inside and out- that need some attention to get your house ready to list. A little bit of time and money up front can be well worth it the investment when sell your home quickly and for the price you are hoping for.

Image Sources: 

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/curb-appeal

http://followpics.net/purple-fountain-grass-verbena-and-potato-vine-lots-o-sun/

http://blog.fromyouflowers.com/top-3-favorite-tulip-bouquets

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/home+sales+largest+year+over+year+increase/9626205/story.html#ixzz2wFVtva2C

Image Source: http://www.johnhartrealestate.com/blog/2012/10/median-home-prices-climb-while-supply-tightens/