Improve chances of selling your home

The budding warmth of spring tends to break buyers' cabin fever and is traditionally considered one of the busiest seasons for real estate. Between low interest rates and high housing inventory, there are several things sellers can do to make their homes more attractive and appealing to the many buyers who will spring into action this season.

First impressions. The front of your home can steal the show for buyers passing by on the street or searching online. Before making any alterations, look at your home as a buyer would. Take note of imperfections such as flaky paint, overgrown or dead foliage and dirty gutters. These flaws are easy and inexpensive to repair, while improving curb appeal and enticing prospective buyers to take a closer look.

Clutter cleanup. There is no better time to do some Spring cleaning than when your home is about to go on the market. Disorganization makes homes feel smaller, so create a feeling of spaciousness by putting unneeded items in storage. "It's important for buyers to be able to visualize themselves in your home. Offers will come more quickly if the buyer believes the transition will be smooth and easy," said Jim McEneaney, senior regional vice president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

Different points of view. Friends and family are not always the best sources of advice on what to fix up around the house, because they may be accustomed to the way your home looks or may want to avoid hurting your feelings. A Realtor is an objective third party resource who will assess the overall appearance and can give unbiased feedback on what areas of the home could use some minor facelifts to improve your bottom line.