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There is a huge distinction sandwiched between price and value. The price is the amount you are asking for the property. Value is the buyer's perception of that value, and is influenced greatly by location, overall features, current condition, and the usual "comps" - the comparable homes and what they are selling for in the same geographical location. By considering some important items that have a positive influence on the value, sellers can significantly increase the probability of attracting qualified buyers prepared to pay your asking price.

Perceived size affects the perceived value, even more so than actual square footage. Create an open floor plan; this will make a room feel bigger than a larger space in cluttered or busy room. Show the property without furniture, devoid of style distractions, and reduce clutter, this helps to make the space feel much larger.

A vacant home increases the overall appeal. The property is much easier to show and conversely easier to sell. There is the impression that the buyer can take possession quicker when it is vacant at the time it is offered for sale. Evidence of encroachments, easements, or even tenants give the impression of problems and negatively impact perceived value. Vacancy also helps the buyer walk through the property imagining their possessions and ownership. Sellers should remove personal items and family pictures as well as being completely absent during a buyers walkthrough.

• Fresh paint always adds considerably more value than it costs



• New / Clean carpets/flooring adds much more value than it costs



• Landscaping adds more value than it costs, looks great, and affects curb appeal



• A new doorway / entrance provides a considerable amount to the overall impact, curb appeal and sale-ability



• If possible, plant some colorful flowers and cleanup and trim the front shrubs and or bushes

Water spots on the ceiling from roof leaks will take thousands off the perceived value and the buyers offering price, paint as needed.

Overall condition greatly affects value. Have a pre-sale home inspection to identify and fix the problem(s) before showing the property. A poor buyer's inspection report could cost you the sale. A buyer will often bargain down your asking price to provide accommodation for existing property conditions and repairs.

Repairs cannot be disregarded, because nobody has extra money for them. Bring in a home inspector to examine the property professionally. The home inspection is invaluable and helps the seller identify problems before they become a bigger problem in selling the home. Better your inspector finds something major before theirs does.

Remodel and update the kitchen and master bathroom. These two areas have a huge impact on a home buying decision.

Renovations have an overall impact value to your bottom line, but do not spend more money to renovate the place than you can recover in the sales price.

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