Easy Steps for Preparing Your Atlanta Home for a Great Showing

Your Atlanta home may be like all the other homes on the block, but there are things you can do to make it stand out from the crowd!

With an ever-increasing inventory of metro Atlanta homes on the market, sellers must become creative if they want to make their house shine. Thus, the question you must ask yourself is: What can I do to make sure my Atlanta house is memorable to buyers?

The following tips will guide you as you prepare to sell your Atlanta home and plan for its first showing:

Clean it! Although this may sound like a no-brainer, it is extremely important to clean, and I mean a good, thorough cleaning. That means wiping down walls, cleaning windows, scrubbing out the refrigerator and sweeping off the front porch. Buyers need to imagine themselves living in your home, and that certainly can't be done if there's a ring around your bathtub.

Clear out the clutter. Your kids' pile of toys in the corner of the living room does only one thing: it detracts from the room and makes buyers feel like they have entered a toy store instead of a living room. Don't forget the closets as you clear out the clutter, too. Your closets should be neat and organized and the contents should not attack buyers if they open the closet door. There is no quicker way to leave the buyer with the impression of a cluttered home with not enough storage than with messy closets, crammed with stuff.

Open all blinds and curtains and allow the natural light to come shining in. And, if weather permits, open the windows and let fresh air circulate throughout the home. It gives the impression of openness and space, and quickly eliminates the odor from last night's fish dinner.

While you're at it, turn on the lights in every room. A well lit space will give buyers a sense of comfort and hominess, and instantly create a feeling of spaciousness.

If you have a fireplace, light it. This is a great way to add instant ambience.

Add splashes of color with fresh flowers. It may be cold and raining outside, but a vase of fresh flowers in the entryway or dining room can give your home an instant facelift.

Take Rover or Fluffy with you, and hide evidence of the litter box and food dishes. It is important to understand that not everyone loves animals, and having your frisky dog jump on buyers as they enter the front door (or barking incessantly from behind a closed door) will not leave a positive first impression.

No dishes in the sink! And no shoes by the front door! These small details may seem rather insignificant, but in the end they can all add to a buyers' overall impression of your home.