8 Things you can Do to get your house sold!
1. Curb Appeal - Start with the outside. Curb appeal can get you showings you might not have gotten. It can also cost you showings if the Buyer decides not to go in when they pull up to the front of the house. The front of the house must be inviting. The landscaping trimmed and free of weeds. The front door must be clean and crisp, or freshly painted.
2. DeClutter - This is the time to get rid of stuff. This is one of the most important things you can do to get your house ready. Most people have too many pictures, vases, knickknacks and "things" throughout the house covering all of their surfaces.
3. Depersonalize - We know you love having the family history hanging on the wall. The large displays of family pictures, trophies or "collections" of things need to be packed up. You can put them out in your next home. This 
is a time to let the Buyers feel that this could be their home.
4. Clean, clean, clean! You can never clean too much. Start with the duster and walk through each room looking at the ceiling and corners for cobwebs. Next clean all the ceiling lights, including the bulbs. When the lights sparkle in a room, it gives the Buyers the feeling of a well kept house. Make sure the bathrooms are clean and free of mold on the grout and caulking. 
5. Kitchen - This is one of the most important rooms. Remove anything from the counter-tops that can be stored away for easy access. If you don't use the item regularly pack it away. The kitchen needs to show plenty of clear counter-top space.
6. Update - Some easy inexpensive updates are changing the pull knobs in the kitchen and baths and updating the light fixtures. Many people are able to physically do it themselves which makes it truly affordable and can really change the look of a room.
7. Clean out/Organize Closets - Limited closet space is always a problem to prospective Buyers. If the clothes are smashed together it gives the appearance of "not enough closet". Remove clothing that isn't being worn or is out of season. By showing the closets lightly filled with empty space it tells a Buyer that there is 
plenty of room for their "stuff".
8. Lighten things up - Remove heavy or dark drapery. Add lighting if the room is naturally dark. Remove heavy rugs and furniture to give the rooms a light and airy feel. If there is a nice view, make sure that window is clean and there is nothing obstructing the view.
Connie Harveyis a local agent with Pilkerton Realtors, serving home buyers and sellers in Nashville, TN, Brentwood TN, and Franklin TN. Let her help you realize your Real Estate goals. She can be reached at 615-371-2474.
Search for Homes in Nashville TN
Search for Homes in Brentwood TN
Great advice -- I emphasis the "update" to everyone, whether seling now or in the year to come!
Great Post ... informational and entertaining! A Pleasure to read! Thanks for sharing ... I think I'll share too!
Connie; Excellent list....each suggestion is a very good one. Thanks.
Connie,
I love your list. These are all critical components sellers need to do. I call it the "Helping me, help you get your home sold list":-) It is just smart and practical.
Then, when you are under contract and set to move you can smile as you remember you got rid of a whole lot of junk you didn't need, use or pay to move.
All the best, Michelle
Tom - I tell people to go ahead and update so that they can enjoy it too, before they move.
Lisa - thank you. I read something the other day that inspired it.
Kirsten - Some things seem so easy to us but Sellers can't always wrap their heads around what it takes to please Buyers.
Michelle - Yes, Help me help you get this done. I love it!
Hi Connie - Great list. I would add #9 - Price it right.
Conrad - You're exactly right! You can do all the other things but if it's over priced it's not going to sell.
Hi Connie, what great tips in an easy to understand format. Good job.
Liz - Thank you. I try to be clear with all my tutorials. I guess it's the teacher in me.
Connie.. As others have mentioned, this is very good advice. Now if we can get the majority of sellers to read this, and understand it would make our jobs a lot easier.
Very nice list, Connie... It's so helpful for a lot of sellers to have a list like this that gives them a honey-do list to follow
Connie- This is a great list for anyone planning on selling their house. I think sellers, deep down, know this, but having their Realtor stress this helps to reinforce it. I especially like #8 Lighten Up.... too heavy furniture, heavy window treatments and too much stuff only serve to distract the buyer.
Connie - all great tips. The exterior invites people in and sets expectations. Kitchens and baths sell.
Valerie - You're exactly right. I've seen some Realtors list their own houses without doing half of this. Crazy to me.
Virginia - The list is probably longer, in reality, but this is a good place to start.
Kathy - Of course another item would be to add a stager!!
Mike - People often forget about the exterior. I like to start there. You're right. It sets the expectations.
Great tips, especially number one. Curb appeal, and there are inexpensive things the seller can do, to make it more appealing.
"Depersonalize" can be hard for people. I went to a class that a stager conducted and she said she helps people shift from thinking of it as their "home" to thinking of it as a "product" - this can be really hard for some people but if they truly want to sell it and move on it is a product! And amen to post #6 to add #9 - price it right!! Thanks for the great post!
Susan - The inexpensive things should always be done. No matter what! There's just no excuse.
Rosi - I try to tell them that when the sign goes in the yard, it's just "a house". Home is the place they're moving to and they have to sell the House to get to the Home.
Connie, great list. My daughter and husband have done all of the above, except they have no control over the building's curb appeal. Open House is tomorrow.
Great list and thanks for sharing. I have clients I plan to share this with.
You are so right! All of the above and the right price and you have a winner in escrow. Good post!
Simone - Good luck with the open house. I hope you get lots of people!!
Billi - The house has to sell itself. If it's not in tip top shape, it won't sell.
Elisa - Yes, I can't believe I didn't put the price too!
Connie -- A Perfect list to share with sellers. I have to add that refrigerator magnets must be removed. Just yesterday I saw a picture of a really lovely kitchen and the refrig was filled with magnets and papers. The WHOLE thing! What a distraction and it certainly took away from the beautiful kitchen.
Barbara - It probably looked worse in the picture too!