One of the major factors in getting your house to sell quickly is simply put: make it attractive. Most buyers select a home based on emotion and justify the decision with facts. So, it is important to make the house inviting and pleasant. Yours is not the only property the prospective buyer will see. You are competing with model homes, homes that may have been professionally decorated, and homes that have no children, no pets and that have Mr. and Mrs. Perfect as owners.

Consulting and working with a real estate professional with knowledge of what it takes to successfully "stage" or "merchandise" your home will give you the competitive edge you need to get your home sold. for the most dollars in the shortest amount of time.

Start with the outside. Are shrubs overgrown? Oil on the driveway? How does the grass look? Do the flower beds need weeding and mulching? Try very hard to see your grounds through an independent observer's eyes. Trim the bushes and/or plant new ones if they are lacking. A home with no landscaping in the front loses thousands of dollars of value in the minds of the buyers. Adding a few well-placed blooming flowers also adds appeal. If the grass in the front yard is especially sparse, consider sodding. Do some price shopping on this; sod is not cheap but there is competition out there and it helps to shop around. Kitty litter in thc driveway will absorb the oil and grease stains. (Remember to sweep up the kitty litter.)

Next, go around and clean up the yard. This means removing any toys, tools, and any building supplies that have accumulated. Here is the "white glove test:" If you don't see it in a model home yard don't have it in yours.

Now look at the exterior. Is the paint fading or chipping? Is the color outdated or too personal? Is mildew or mold growing? If the house needs painting, choose a neutral color White, cream (not yellow) and light gray are good colors for appealing to most people. Use contrasting colors for shutters: black, dark green and medium gray (avoid blue-based gray). Doors and trim may match the house or the shutters or be white depending upon the amount of contrast you wish to create. If you want an idea of paint combinations, take a look at some model homes whose house prices run $2(),00O-50,0O0 more than your home to help you see the actual color combinations and choose one of those color combinations.

Always give the front door and door trim a fresh coat of paint or stain even if you paint nothing else. Remember that buyers stand at the front door waiting to get inside; it is critical that you give them a good first impression.

If your house was painted recently or if it is a non-painted surface but is dirty, have it pressure washed. Also pressure wash mildewed decks. Have it profes-sionally done, or rent a pressure washer and use two gallons of water, two cups chlorine bleach. one cup powdered detergent. and.. one cup powdered dish detergent. To prevent damage to shrubs or grass, wet surrounding areas thoroughly before cleaning the wood and rinse the greenery of all cleansing solution when you are don power washing.

Let's go inside. Go through each room and pack 30% of the accessories. If you doubt the wisdom this, once again go back to model homes and compare the countertops with yours, their coffee tables with yours. Get the picture?

The reality is this: the way y' live in a home and the way you sell a home are two very different things. This will take time, sacrifice and adjustment but you need to remember that you are competing with other properties - your home is not the only one on market. Those who win the Good Housekeeping Award probably will get the highest dollar. Another way look at it is this - you're going to be moving anyway so this is just a way to do some advanced packing.

Pack any collections and family photos you have displayed. Too much of your personality does not give the buyer the room to "mentally move in" Pack everything from the cabinets and closets you do not need on a regular basis. You want to create the perception of roominess and in fact give the buyer the space to furnish with his/her belongings. Make sure the linen closet is neat and sparsely furnished with only a week's worth of towels and linens.

In the clothes closets, remove out-of-season clothes and pack them away. It's okay to box them and store the boxes in the garage. Arrange your shoes neatly. Hang all clothes by category: all blouses together, pants together, etc.

Now take another walk through the house. Are there rooms that are cluttered with too much furniture? Remove the excess. Of course, it helps to have an expert on "stag-ing" a home to help optimize the furniture placement.

Minor redecorating can also help. If your carpet or vinyl is out-dated, replace it. Off-white, light beiges and grays are best for car-pet; off-white for vinyl which tend to make rooms look larger and cleaner. Reuse the carpet pad if it is not worn and if it is 5/8" thick or more. if you need to replace the pad, select an upgrade and install a modest carpet over it. The feel will be plush and expensive.

If the carpeting is in good condition and neutral in color, have it cleaned. If the vinyl is in good condition and light colored, scrub it thoroughly paying attention to buildup of dirt or wax around the baseboards and in corners.

After reading this article and next week's, make a list of what you intend to do to ready your home for the market. Consult with a real estate professional for her/his review and input. This will save you time and money. Objective opinions are key to help-ing you determine the most effec-tive things to do for the least amount of investment that will return the greatest dollar to you.