Home Seller's Checklist

Selling your home yourself isn't hard, but it does take some front end work if you want to see maximum rewards for your efforts.

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Hire a building inspector

to go through your home and assess its condition. This is a step that you can easily skip if you're confident that everything is up to date and you've been good with maintenance. The cost is usually reasonable. And you'll be able to use the inspection as a sales tool. Advertising your home as move-in ready is a great benefit for the buyer and can close a deal faster.

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Make small repairs

. Those little things you've been putting off? Time to get them done now. Hire a professional plumber or electrician for larger plumbing and electrical tasks so you know it's done to code.

* Make improvements if they make sense, but

don't over improve

. You've seen the statistics about how much money you'll get back on improvements, but as often as not those numbers are a little inflated. Remember, prospective buyers have their own tastes and may not share yours.

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Clean and stage your home inside

. Rent a Pod or storage space for a month or two if you can't actually get rid of stuff. Look at a few model homes to see how they arrange the furniture, the types of window treatments, flower arrangements and so on. Buyers need to experience the benefits of the space. Emphasize light, space, coziness, character, and those special features that each room has.

* Deep clean each room from top to bottom. Hire a carpet cleaner to get those carpets really clean.

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Repaint

with light neutral colors, especially dark rooms. Neutrals like ivory, grey, and beige are fine, but boring. Don't overlook other neutrals like sagey greens, caramelly browns, and other rich colors that can create an inviting background.

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Assemble home documentation

. Anything concerning home improvements or appliances you intend to leave should be assembled into a notebook or folder so you can answer questions quickly. It's another great sales tool for showing that you have consistently maintained your home.

* Appeal to all the buyer's senses. Create a visually appealing space that smells good. Address all the senses including touch and hearing. The only sense you probably won't worry about is taste. No one is likely to lick your house. If doors or floor boards squeak, take care of the noise. When you schedule showings make apple cider with cloves and cinnamon; set it on low heat to create a wonderful smell. Or make cookies.

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Work on curb appeal

. Curb appeal is that special look that attracts the second glance and makes the buyer want to come in. The yard should be tidy with flowers deadheaded and lawns mowed. Trees should look lush and healthy and shrubs should be neatly shaped. Fences should be in good repair. Clean up toys, equipment, and garbage cans; store out of sight. The front entry should be welcoming.

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Price to sell

. Assess the comparable values of homes in your neighborhood. There are a number of services available on the Web, but they require opting in to spammy email or being called on by real estate agents.

* Price fairly. Because you are selling your home yourself, you can price your home at the current appraised value. To ensure a quick sale, the value needs to stand out compared with other area homes. In a hot market a slightly lower price could result in several offers that top your list price.