I am in the process of preparing to sell some of my properties and am finding it difficult to adjust to the differences between preparing a house for sale vs rent. After 25 years, I feel experienced with what I should do when renting something. I look for durability, low maintenance, etc. and a few extras, like ceiling fans, and in today's market, probably a new stove and refrigerator.

I probably will begin by selling some 3 br homes in lower middle to middle income neighborhoods. Most were built in the 1920s.

As I think about selling, I am getting advice to do things I normally don't do - like replace kitchen cabinets, doors, windows, install carpet, etc.

In part I am biased by living in a somewhat historic 1920s neighborhood where a house would be viewed as less desirable and worth less if someone had added things such as vinyl windows, vinyl siding, steel doors, carpet(instead of hardwood floors), etc. --205.188.199.158

NO cob webs period on those high ceilings. New ceiling fans with lots of lights. Put a new fridge and stove in it but then say it doesn't go with the sale. If you have a dishwasher put a new one and if you have a disposal put a new one. All new pretty light fixtures inside and out. If you have a gravel driveway in the alley a nice fresh coat of crushed stone to look pretty and new. If blacktop then a new top seal coat. That always looks great. Plant some flowers around the house in those dead flower beds. Then raise your price $15,000 and good luck. --64.12.116.204

The main thing is to have them spotless and move-in ready. I would go with fresh paint. I think new carpet is a must, but only if the old carpet won't clean up spotless and still look decent. It has to look like you would allow your own toddler to play on it with bare feet.

Get a couple of flats of petunias and pansies and fill the flower beds with color. That wil cost you $20-$30 and give an immediate curb appeal. Trim everything in the yards so it is very tidy. Make sure the paint on the exterior doesn't have any bad spots, but you do not necessarily have to paint, just spot repair.

You want a lot of light in the house, you want it spotless. I would buy new matching everything for the bathrooms. Bathrooms are a big consideration for buyers, so have all matching oak tp holder, towel racks, loo seat. Put a small vase of color coordinated silk flowers on the bathroom counter.

If the kitchen cabinets are bad, repair them and paint with a good coat of high gloss white paint. I don't think you will get your purchase price for new cabinets back when you sell. If counteertops are ugly or out of date color, replace them with prefab counter top from Home depot. A 10 foot section is about $40. it's a cheap dress-up.

Buyers often decide before they even enteer the house. Paint the front door a rich contrasting color and install a fancy big brass door handle, a brass kick plate, maybe a brass door knocker. If the buyers are impressed from the curb, and they go inside and the houe is spotless and smells good, they won't go away because they don't like the windows. Maybe they will want a window allowance. Give them that, but don't offer it.

Have the house cable ready, have the curtains open so the house is light inside. Buy yurself a bread maker and have a loak of something with cinnamon and suger baking.

Good luck. --216.228.163.41

The only thing I can add to CAW's great advice is to remove the window screens and let in even more light! Store them in the basement or garage. It wouldn't hurt to label where they came from. --12.38.198.125

I think even if you paint the new homeowners will repaint so I wouldn't bother painting unless the walls are purple or blue or something really odd.

I would visit realtor . com and see what is selling in your area and in what condition. I think considering to put in a new kitchen and bathroom is not a good idea, since you'll have the head-ach and no extra money in return. HOWEVER if other homes the same price range have this extras then you'll have to do it just to get people to consider one house over the other.

You already know location will play a big part and price... many people will do the work and would rather do it the way they want. I think it's all busy work unless you need these improvements for marketing. If the location is good, set the price right and just sell it as is.

Faucets would be something I would look for and new electrical panels,,, new furance, ac. i wouldn't bother with anything cosmitic,,, just make it clean. I'd get rid of all the curtains and have light bright rooms.

Windows, kitchen makeover, bathroom make overs are nice -- just visualize who you are selling to.

Hope this helps

Patty --64.240.149.30

Get the House Ready

A house that "sparkles" on the surface will sell faster than its shabby neighbor, even though both are structurally well-maintained.

From experience, REALTORS® also know that a "well-polished" house appeals to more buyers and will sell faster and for a higher price. Additionally, buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a well-cared for home because if what they can see is maintained, what they can't see has probably also been maintained. In readying your house for sale, consider:

* how much should you spend

* exterior and curb appeal

* preparing the interior

How much should you spend

In preparing your home for the market, spend as little money as possible. Buyers will be impressed by a brand new roof, but they aren't likely to give you enough extra money to pay for it. There is a big difference between making minor and inexpensive "polishes" and "touch-ups" to your house, such as putting new knobs on cabinets and a fresh coat of neutral paint in the living room, and doing extensive and costly renovations, like installing a new kitchen. Your REALTOR®, who is familiar with buyers' expectations in your neighborhood, can advise you specifically on what improvements need to be made. Don't hesitate to ask for advice.

For Your Home

Our home improvement section features how-to tips and important information about repairing and remodeling your home.

Maximizing exterior and curb appeal

Before putting your house on the market, take as much time as necessary (and as little money as possible) to maximize its exterior and interior appeal. Tips to enhance your homeís exterior and curb appeal:

* Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered regularly.

* Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly.

* Check the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling.

* Inspect doors and windows for peeling paint.

* Clean and align gutters.

* Inspect and clean the chimney.

* Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.

* Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.

* In Northern winters, keep walks neatly cleared of snow and ice.

* During spring and summer months consider adding a few showy annuals, perhaps in pots, near your front entrance.

* Re-seal an asphalt driveway.

* Keep your garage door closed.

* Store RVs or old and beaten up cars elsewhere while the house is on the market.

* Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door.

Maximizing interior appeal

Enhance your homeís interior by:

* Giving every room in the house a thorough cleaning, as well as removing all clutter. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Some homeowners with crowded rooms have actually rented storage garages and moved half their furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look.

*

For Your Home

Want to give your home a new look? Find advice and inspiration in our decorating section.

Hiring a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market. This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere.

* Removing the less frequently used, even daily used items from kitchen counters, closets, and attics, making these areas much more inviting. Since you're anticipating a move anyhow, holding a garage sale at this point is a great idea.

* If necessary, repainting dingy, soiled or strongly colored walls with a neutral shade of paint, such as off-white or beige. The same neutral scheme can be applied to carpets and linoleum.

* Checking for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement.

* Repairing cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.

* Replacing broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork. Inspecting and repairing the plumbing, heating , cooling, and alarm systems.

* Repairing dripping faucets and showerheads. Buying showy new towels for the bathroom, to be brought out only when prospective buyers are on the way.

* Sprucing up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint. --64.240.149.30

"Sell This House". It's on A&E every Saturday at 1:00 pm & Sunday at 4:00 pm. Central time. They may have changed the time by a half hour. Please check your local listings on Saturday and Sunday. --64.123.57.219