Everybody wants to sell their home for top dollar but not everybody is willing to do what's necessary to get it. In today's competitive market it is very important that a house is cleaned and staged properly to encourage a full offer.

As a Real Estate Agent I can tell you that there is a difference between a staged housed and a non-staged house. One of the biggest differences between the two is the price potential buyers are willing to pay.

When a buyer can walk into a home and see that it is ready to 'go', they are more likely to make a full price offer. When a buyer walks into a home that is not cleaned or staged properly they instantly start deducting from the asking price with each and every flaw they find. If you are serious about selling your home and getting full price you need to take the time to get your home ready and the good news is you can do all this in one weekend.

Start with cleaning the outside and work your way in. Here are some often overlooked areas that will add instant appeal:

First Impressions Count, start with the outside.

• Put away tools, toys, gardening equipment, roll hoses, pull weeds and sweep sidewalk.
• Move trash bins out of sight, use the garage or backyard.
• Clean your screen and front door, including frame inside and out, clean knobs, make sure knobs are on tight.
• Clean off your porch light (make sure bulb works) and address numbers are visible.
• Invest in a new porch mat, one that says Welcome is always nice.

Inside: Clean & Stage It:

• Clean all doors, door frames, light switches and outlet covers, use sponge and all purpose cleaner.
• Put clutter away, but do not use your closets as a dumping ground, people always look in closets, so you want yours to look organized and tidy. Try boxing items you won't be using and put the
  m in the attic, garage or crawl space and label them (This also gives you a jump start on moving)
• Clean off your kitchen counters, try to have very little on the counters, put away all small appliances, mail, papers, etc.
• If you have any windows that are not covered, invest in inexpensive window coverings from your local discount store.
• Make sure all doors open and close properly.
• Wipe down all your baseboards.
• Paint is Critical and Inexpensive: First clean the walls, spackle all cracks and holes. Then sand and paint. This will add Instant Value and perceived newness. You can get paint for under $20 per gallon or usually get an even better value by buying a 5 gallon bucket depending on how many rooms and hallways you will need to paint. Stay neutral with your colors and try to stick with one or two colors.
• Clean your carpet, remove any stains and replace if necessary.

Just by doing these simple things you will help the sale of your home tremendously. If you feel very ambitious or super motivated don't be afraid to go that extra mile; it will show when you get an offer. Remember you want to show that your home was well cared for and will not require a lot of hard work and money. Good luck!