Tips For Selling Your Home

These days, we need all the advice we can get to sell our houses quicker and for a good price. We have two lists for you: things buyers do not want to see (some things more surprising than others), and some items you should check before an inspector takes a look.

Surprisingly, one of the things a buyer does not want to see, unless you live in a state like Arizona, is a pool. An above ground pool can be an eye sore, and an in-ground pool might just be too much work for a potential homeowner to deal with. And remember, you're going to have to spend money to make money. If your garage or a bedroom is used for storage, you'll have to deal with that. Buyers want to see a bedroom with a bed in it, and they want to see a garage as a place they can park their car. Read more about buyer turn-offs at Zillow.

Our advice is not to let an inspector in your house until you inspect it yourself. The more an inspector sees wrong with the house (even little things), the less likely a buyer is to see the value. So what are some things you can look for? Make sure there are no clogs in any of the drains. Yes, you might have to call a plumber, or do a little work yourself, but it will be worth it. Make sure you have a smoke detector on every floor of the house, and check that the batteries are working. If there are any bug infestations, take care of them immediately. Check all your windows and doors to see if they close properly or if there is any creaking. Small things like these add up quickly and can become overwhelming. Go through the rest of the list at Wise Bread.

Part of the joy of owning a home is that you can do whatever you want with it, to it, and in it. You should enjoy it. But if you want to sell it easily and for top dollar down the road, try to picture how others might react to any renovations, additions or modifications you make. The more specific you get — such as turning your kid’s room into a miniature castle from Cinderella — the harder it will be to sell your home later, and the less return on investment you’ll get. When considering changes to your home, always consider resale.