In our current market, there are several things you can do to increase the appeal of your home that is for sale.

• Pricing - in addition to location, location, location, the next most important point is price.  You may have added a new kitchen, remodeled a bathroom, and changed paint colors throughout the home, but if you are priced higher than the comparable homes in your area, buyers will look for the value in the home as much as the amenities.
• Curb Appeal - many buyers drive by a home listed for sale before requesting a showing.  Walk out in front of your home to the curb and take a good look.  Does the home needs some fresh paint, trimmed bushes, or general maintenance such as mowing or in the winter --raked leaves or shoveled sidewalks?  Appearances mean a great deal to a buyer and first impressions only happen one time.
• Move in condition - it is important to look at the interior of the home for the little things.  This means making sure that light switches, appliances, doors, plumbing fixtures, and cabinet drawers all work correctly and that they are consistent with local building codes.  Small things may seem trivial but they give buyers the impression that the house isn't well maintained.
• Consider adding value to your sale - you can make your home stand out from other similar homes by adding something of value to your sale.  This can be as simple as offering a home warranty or leaving larger appliances such as washer/dryer and refrigerators.
• Clutter - throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines.  Pack away most of your small decorative items, and store out of season clothing to make the closets appear bigger over packing them tightly.  Consider the use of a storage unit for excess furniture in order to make the rooms appear spacious, over using the garage for storage.

Sometimes it is just the simple things that work to improve your home and create an overall impression of better value in the buyer's mind, which leads them to making an offer on your home, instead of your neightbor's down the street.  This advice is as valid for Olympia homes, Lacey homes, and Tumwater homes, as it is in any other part of the country.

Vicki