Five Secrets to Selling Your Home

5/1/2003

Selling your house can be a difficult and time-consuming task.

Because you may be spending most of your time trying to find a new house to move into, or coordinating a packing schedule to transport your belongings to the new house, you may be neglecting the home you are trying to sell.

The following tips, from the "HomeOwner's Companion," can help beautify your home and change that "For Sale" sign into a "Sold" sign.

A good impression starts at the front door. If it needs repainting, break out the paintbrushes. If you can afford to replace the door, consider that. Remember to polish the doorknob and lay down a new doormat.

Potential buyers look for houses with good light. Make dark rooms lighter by opening the curtains and replacing burned-out lightbulbs.

Make small rooms look larger by clearing out excess furniture and putting it into storage.

The rooms that most house hunters notice first are the living room, kitchen and bathroom. Improve these areas if they need it - freshen the paint, and repaper if necessary.

Add flowers and houseplants as finishing touches. The aroma of baking bread makes a kitchen unforgettable. If you don't have time for that, toss a few cinnamon sticks on to boil.