A recent survey showed that 87% of first-time homebuyers would much prefer to purchase a home that is ready to move-in.  Sprucing up your home before you put it on the market could pay off in the long run.

1. Curb appeal:  Most buyers will drive by to look at home before they make contact with an agent or seller.  Clean up the clutter. Add a few flowers. Touch up the front door.  If the home isn't appealing outside a buyer may not take the time to go inside.
2. De-Personalize: Pack up your family photos and heirlooms.  Buyers can be distracted by these things.  You want the buyer to imagine what their items will look like in their new home, not what kind of people the previous owners were like.
3. Organize your closets and cabinets:  Buyers like to see the closet space and cabinet space.  Imagine the impression they will get when they open up the pantry and the toaster falls out...If your items are organized the impression that the rest of the house must be taken care of as well will run through the mind of the buyer.
4. Get rid of the Clutter: Buyers are attracted to space.  A spacious home with room is much more appealing than a cluttered area with little room to move around.
5. Make all the minor repairs.  Fix the leaky faucets, patch the holes in the wall, fix any cracked tiles and any doors that jam or drawers that don't shut right.  Buyers don't want to be bothered with these things and it will take very little money to make the repairs.

Sellers that will take the time to make these minor changes are more likely to sell their home faster and for more money. In a market such as this, adding a little love to your less than perfect home can make all the difference in the world.