No Buyers? No Problem
By Barbara Ballinger CTW Features

Homeowners are said to want new kitchens and bathrooms and up-to-date heating and cooling systems. But sometimes you don't have the time or funds to make these expensive overhauls before you sell. There are dozens of less expensive changes that show you've taken care of your home as you try to attract potential buyers. Here are 10 sure-fire suggestions from Dana Frank, a salesperson with RE/ MAX On the Boulevard in Woodland Hills, Calif. Price still remains king, so don't forget to listen to your practitioner the first time around, Frank adds.

Follow Your Nose; It

Always Knows.

Most people think their house smells like a rose. Even sellers with dogs, cats, birds and exotic lizards believe that their house smells great. Unfortunately, that's not always true. When a buyer comes into your house, no animal or food smells should greet them, unless you've got something like a batch of brownies. "But you can't have a batch of brownies in the oven all the time," she says. If you've got strong odors, be sure to clean your house and replace or steam clean any offensive-smelling carpeting. Also consider using some nice smelling candles or plug-ins, perhaps with a pleasant vanilla or cinnamon smell - not the flowery ones.

Paint Neutral;

It's Universally Appealing

Re-painting is one of the least expensive home-improvement projects you can undertake. And although you may think everyone else will love your red accent wall, they won't. For less than $100, you can easily transform a room with a more neutral color, and with good paint and brushes it's an easy do-ityourself project. Even if your room has neutral colors, check for tiny cracks and nicks. Buyers will notice them and worry that your home isn't well maintained. As long as you've got your painter's clothes on, get to work on those, too.

Test Windows and Doors

Buyers and their salespeople will test out your windows and closet doors to be sure they run properly on their tracks and are easy to operate. Test them out before they do and make any improvements to avoid having buyers worry about bigger problems, such as foundation cracks and uneven flooring.

Get Your Electrical,

Plumbing and Heating

Systems Checked.

Homeowners don't want to have to deal with major problems. Many potential buyers worry about wet basements and fires throughout the buying process. Ease their concerns by cleaning all electrical outlets and being sure they're functional. Be sure that no faucets drip. Run your heating and air-conditioning systems before you list your house and better yet-have the person who maintains these systems do a thorough check. Offer buyers a home warranty plan since it makes you look like a nice seller and it takes away some of your liability during that first year.

Clean, Clean and

De-Clutter

Everyone will tell you to do this, and Frank is no exception. But many homeowners get so busy that they forget or can't part with stuff. Remember that cleaning takes time but doesn't need to cost you a dime. Organizing also is inexpensive, and many stores will give away boxes for free. Be relentless and go room by room. Pack up what you want to keep and put it in a basement or attic in a neat way.

Pre-Sales Inspection

Nothing can nix a contract faster than a builder's inspection that comes back with lots of problems and an owner who refuses to fix them. Do yourself a favor and have your house inspected before listing it, which generally averages between $275 and $350 - a small sum to pay to avoid later issues. You also can make changes in advance rather than derail a sale. Get copies of your inspection and have your salesperson include them along with the disclosure form.

Know That is Not Back in

Style

No matter what fashion magazines tell you about bronze purses and shoes and even bronze makeup, it's not quite back in vogue for the home. If you have gold or bronze hardware on your cabinets, you might consider updating these and switching to the more popular chrome, brushed nickel or stainless. It's not expensive to do so, and your buyers will be impressed with your fashion savvy.

Feature Signs

It's obvious if you've recently painted, updated a bath or stained your wood floors, but it's not as apparent if you've improved your home's systems. Post little signs that look professional on your heater or air conditioner and tell when they were purchased and if there are special features. For example, on the exit door to your yard you might place a sign that says: This house features copper plumbing. Yes, this information is in the disclosure, but why not point it out as a good selling feature, too?

Rule of 3

One easy change that many HGTV designer shows tout is to follow the Rule of Three. Wherever possible, arrange decorator items in threes - three picture frames, three small vases, three snow globes. You don't have to make the threesomes all the same. Consider, putting together one frame and two handsome votive candles. This will also help you de-clutter and make your house look more polished and professionally designed.

Go Lean and Green

Trying to go green where possible shows you're up on living a healthy lifestyle, which will be a better environment for the next owner, too. It's easy to "green up" your home before you sell if you haven't done so already: recycle; use low- or no-VOC paints; bamboo flooring or cabinets; Energy-Star appliances; low-E windows, low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucet aerators that reduce water usage; compact-fluorescent lightbulbs; and UV film coating on sliding glass doors or other large glass surfaces to reduce energy consumption Remember to brag by putting up a sign that says: This house is green. Besides living in a safer environment, you'll win kudos from lookers who also care about Earth.