Try looking at your house "THROUGH THE BUYER'S EYES" as though you've never seen it, or been there before.  Any time or money invested on the following will bring back more money in return, and hopefully a faster sale.

1. Open the drapes and blinds. Leave on certain lights during the day. During "showings" turn on all lights and lamps. Sunshine and light is the world's best decorator and nothing is more depressing than walking into a home where shades, curtains and drapes are closed.
   
   
2. Wash the windows - inside and out. For the same reasons as above, no other small improvement will give you more bang than this.
   
   
3. Clean up the yard. You've heard of curb appeal? How about unseen from the curb? Cut back overgrown shrubs, particularly those that obscure windows or make it difficult to get to the front door. Mow the grass. Rake or pick up downed leaves and branches. Put away lawn tools, kids' toys and discard or store any outdoor furniture that is rusty or ragged. If season and funds permit, put down some colorful annuals or put a few nicely planted containers on or near the front porch.Clear patios or decks of all small items such as small planters, flower pots, charcoal, barbecues, toys. etc. (Put them in the garage or a storage unit.)
   
   
4. De-cluttter. Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house. Keep decorative objects on the furniture restricted to groups of 1, 3, or 5 items. A cluttered home looks smaller and less airy. Many professional Staging Companies recommend removing all personal photographs because it is difficult for buyers to mentally move-in when you so clearly live there. Even an exquisite art collection can be distracting to many buyers. The agent is trying to point out the fireplace and the customer is studying your collection of old ink wells on the mantle.
   
   
5. Rearrange or remove. As owners, many times we have too much furniture in a room. This is wonderful for our own personal enjoyment, but when it comes to selling we need to thin out as much as possible to make rooms appear larger.
   
   
6. Kitchens & Baths must sparkle. Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops. Store away countertop appliances, canisters, etc., and keep cupboard doors and drawers closed. Clear refrigerator fronts of magnets, messages, pictures, etc. (A sparse kitchen helps the buyer mentally move their own things into your kitchen.) Scrub like crazy! The kitchen may be old but it can still sparkle. It is critical that the bathrooms sparkle too! Old bathrooms can be charming, and a new shower curtain or fresh flowers on the counter may be all you need. Put out your best towels!
   
   
7. Paint/Repaint Your Home. If your taste in decorating is a bit, strong, it may pay to hire a professional to tone down some of the more dramatic paint colors in rooms. Many people love dark red dining rooms, but none of them may be looking at your house.  Neutral colors are best for marketing your home for sale.
   
   
8. Buy, borrow or rent what you need. If your furniture shows the effects of raising five kids, or if pets have ruined the rugs and upholstery think about storing or getting rid of your existing furniture and finding just enough more attractive stuff to get by. If your nest is empty and the kids' rooms are beaten up, throw out the furniture, give the walls a quick wash coat of paint and put one or two small flea market pieces in the room to merely "suggest" its use.
   
   
9. Showings. Have soft music on during all viewings. Open a few windows to air-out smells like cooking, smoke, perfumes, etc. Light a candle in a neutral scent like Vanilla. Remember to open all curtains to allow maximum light in, and turn on all the lights in the house.