It’s no secret that the real estate market right now is HOT…especially if you’re a seller. Attractive interest rates and flexible mortgage options have people wanting to gobble up real estate as fat as they can. As a seller though, you may wonder how you can make your house stand out amongst the crowd. Just remember, in real estate appearance count. The following are some simple and inexpensive improvements you can make to your home to get top dollar from any buyer.

Get rid of the clutter

If there’s any rule of thumb in showing your house to its fullest potential it should be this: One person’s treasured mementos are just another person’s clutter. This can be a difficult pill to swallow for some homeowners who are convinced that potential buyers will adore their massive stuffed animal collection as much as they do. But remember, buyers are buying square footage and every counter top, closet, shelf, etc. that you have cluttered up with family photos and other assorted memorabilia will only distract the buyers attention making them think your house is smaller than it actually is. Here are some good tips for de-cluttering your house:

• Put away as many non-essential items as you can bear. This means any family photos, extra clothing, collectibles and other memorabilia you can stand to part with temporarily. The goal is to “open” up the house and to create a space that potential buyers will be able to envision putting their own belongings in.

• Clean out and organize closets, attics, and garages as much as you can. Potential homebuyers will look closely at these areas to see how much storage space is available. You will have to do this anyway, when you’re ready to move. Getting this chore underway sooner rather than later will not only help you attract more buyers but also make it easier when it‘s time to pack.

• Kitchens are notorious for their cluttered countertops. Again, pack away anything that is not used on a regular basis. This means packing away the toaster that you hardly use or the cookbooks that are collecting dust. It also means cleaning out your cabinets of all the extra pots, pans, and other items that you hardly ever use. Again, buyers will look in these spaces to ensure there’s enough storage space for their own items. Also, don’t leave any dirty dishes in the sink…a big “no-no”.

• Bathrooms are another place where clutter collects. Make sure to hide away any toiletries or any other items of a personal nature. Because bathrooms are usually small spaces anyway, we want to maximize the appearance of space by creating a clean light and airy feel.

• Too much furniture in a room can also create a cluttered feel. Try to limit your furniture to 4 or 5 pieces per room. Don’t be afraid to mix and match pieces from other parts of the house. This is one time when it doesn’t have to be functional or practical. It just has to look good.

• Sometimes we’re so used to living amongst clutter that we fail to even see it anymore.

If you don’t think you can be objective about finding the clutter in your house, ask a friend to look at your house with objective eyes and have them point out the tings that need tidying up.

Start Cleaning

Now that the clutter has been taken care of, it’s time to scrub. No one is interested in buying a dirty house. Here are some tips for cleaning:

• When dusting your house start at the top. That way everything will fall to the floor and be ready to get vacuumed. Don’t forget to dust everything like light fixtures, lampshades, decorative molding, windowsills, picture frames, etc.

• Use your vacuum not only for your floors, but also for your furniture and other hard to reach places. If your rugs are noticeably stained, rent a steamer to get them looking and smelling like new again. As for other floors in your house, use lots of hot soapy water and a good de-greasing cleanser to make them sparkle.

• Real estate experts say that when it comes to looking at a house, the two rooms that buyers tend to scrutinize the most are the kitchen and the bathroom. So, grab those cleansers and buckets and get busy. In the kitchen this means scrubbing down counters and appliances as well as the inside of drawers and cabinets. Don’t forget to make sure the inside of your stove and refrigerator are spotless. In the bathroom, make sure you disinfect toilets, sinks, and tubs and wipe down mirrors and faucets till they shine.

A word about windows

In addition to desiring space, potential buyers also like to see a house flooded with natural light. Therefore:

• Replace any heavy draperies or fussy window treatments with something more minimal, like sheer panels for example. This is also a good time to wash any curtains or blinds, as they do collect dust over time.

• To make the most of your view, make sure to clean windows inside and out. For best results use a squeegee to get a sparkling finish.

• Of course, any cracked or broken windows should be replaced before any potential buyer even looks at your house.

Paint and wallpaper

It’s tempting to say, “why paint?” or strip wallpaper when most people will want to redecorate the walls themselves once they’ve moved in. But keep these things in mind:

• Nothing gives a room a clean look faster than a fresh coat of paint. Even if your walls are in good shape (i.e.-no visible stains or cracks), paint is still an easy and inexpensive way to in brighten up a room.

• Remember, your master bedroom could have a gorgeous bay window and a huge walk-in closet, but if it’s painted bright pink, then the only thing a potential buyer is going to see is a bright pink bedroom. If you have “questionable” colors throughout your house, think seriously about re-painting in a more neutral hue. Some good color choices include antique white or taupe.

•  Even if a seller can get passed the bright color to see the actual “bones” of a room, they can still get turned off by the prospect of having to put a lot of work into a home. Not everyone is in love with the idea of a “fixer-upper”, so it really is in your best interest to make your house as “move-in” condition as you can.

• As much as people can usually look past a not so attractive paint color, wallpaper is a different story. Re-painting a wall is really not a difficult task for most people. Stripping wallpaper on the other hand is almost always a tedious undertaking. And the chances that a buyer is going to love your choice of wallpaper as much as you do are pretty slim. So, as a seller looking to earn top dollar for your home, you should really consider stripping any wallpaper in your house and re-painting the wall a neutral color. Although it’s not the preferred method, you can also paint directly over existing wallpaper as long as it is in good condition (i.e.-no tears or air pockets). There are special primers that need to be used if you choose this option so check with the experts at your local paint or home improvement center.

Curb appeal

Never underestimate the power of good curb appeal. Many times, the way a house looks on the outside will determine if a buyer even wants to step foot inside. A home’s curb appeal is it’s first impression, and you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Here are some ways to create an inviting exterior:

• Is your front door a little worse for wear? You can do wonders with a coat of paint. While you’re at it, try adding a shiny new doorknocker and a new handle as well. It’s a minor and inexpensive change that will make a big difference.

• Tidy up your front sidewalk and driveway. This means cleaning off any mud, leaves, or dead bugs that might be detracting from the appearance of your home’s exterior. The same goes for any toys or bikes your children might have strewn about the yard.

• Landscaping counts so make sure you manicure your bushes. Too many times you see homes that are completely overwhelmed by the shrubbery in front. Use either shears or electric hedge trimmers to make your bushes look neat and tidy once again. Also, consider planting some flowers to add color and visual interest to your landscaping. You need not be a master gardener to plant attractive flowers. Even just adding some decorative pots filled with some annuals can spruce up an existing porch or define a walkway. Just make sure the color of your flowers doesn't clash with the color of your house. Another good landscaping trick is the judicious use of mulch. Not only does mulch serve the functional purpose of keeping weeds down and retaining water for your plants, it’s also decorative, coming in a myriad of colors. A layer of mulch can hide a multitude of sins and provides a more groomed and polished appearance to your yard.

Once you’re actually ready to show your house to potential buyers, keep these other things in mind. Fresh flowers and the smell of fresh baked cookies are easy tricks that make a house feel more like a home. If it’s cold outside, consider building a fire to show off an existing fireplace. If it’s hot, make sure the air conditioning is on to make sure buyers are comfortable. Just remember your goal is to allow buyers to see themselves in your space. So, make sure your space is a place where anyone would want to be.