From Coral Nafie,
Your Guide to Interior Decorating.
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Are you selling your home soon? To get the best price, take some time right now to get it ready to sell.

While you may need to tackle some basic repair issues first, these simpler cosmetic improvements can help polish up your home and set the tone for a quicker sale.

Remember to put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer before your house is listed for sale. Look critically at your space to see what might be updated, cleared out, or spruced up. Many times there are simple fixes that will make all the difference.

Start with these 5 tips. And, if you’re interested in going a step further, be sure to check out our extensive tips on Staging a Home.

1. Put Clutter in Storage
   If you have a minimal decorating style and pared-down possessions, then skip this tip and go on to #2. For the rest of us however, it bears repeating that hiding your home’s good features behind piles of clutter will only make it harder for buyer’s to fall in love with your home. Box up anything you won’t be using in the next few months (including holiday decorations, seasonal clothing or sports equipment, old toys, etc.) and send it to a storage facility. While you’re at it, take a look at your furniture and remove any pieces that look less-than-perfect or make a room feel crowded.
   See More:
   Storage Solutions
   Storage Basics

2. Welcome Buyers at the Door
   Step outside and take a look at the front door. Potential buyers will likely spend at least a few minutes here as the realtor gets out the keys to your home. Make sure the door is clean and that any glass is sparkling. Polish the hardware (or replace if necessary) and repaint the door if it is in poor shape. Finally, add a fresh doormat, mailbox, and pretty pots of greenery or flowers on either side of the door.
   See More:
   How to Add Interest to a Front Door

3. Remove Outdated Window Treatments
   Dreary draperies, torn window shades, or bent mini-blinds will do nothing to sell a home faster. Remove these outdated items and replace them with simple white mini-blinds or wood blinds cut-to-measure at a home center. This is a fairly simple fix that can refresh your rooms in just one weekend.
   See More:
   Window Covering Basics

4. Install Closet Systems
   Crowded closets stuffed with clothing and household items make it look like there isn’t enough storage. Instead, go through closets and store (or give away) anything that’s not currently needed. Once the closet is empty, install a closet system from a home center and refill with just enough of your stuff so the closet looks organized, but not cluttered.
   See More:
   Closet Web Sites

5. Showcase Wood Flooring
   Worn, dirty, or badly colored carpeting can turn buyers off in seconds. If you have hardwood floors however, the fix is easy; Tear out the carpeting and expose the wood. Buyers won’t have to wonder what’s underneath the carpet and will likely love the look and patina of hardwood flooring.
   See More:
   How to Clean Hardwood Floors