Before you list your home, get prepared. Have it inspected. Yes, this is something that will cost you some money, but it’s a good idea to have the inspection done before the home is put on the market. That way you know what is going to show up when the potential buyer does an inspection and weigh the costs vs. benefits of fixing those problems before an offer is made.
Old advice is good advice: first and foremost, increase your “curb appeal” by making sure your yard and home’s exterior are well-maintained, get rid of the clutter in your home and clean your home like it’s never been cleaned before.
Depending on the age and condition of your home, you may want to repaint, resurface or even remodel. Here’s where it gets tricky. There’s a fine line between updates that makes your home seem current or modern and a remodel job that costs you more than it will return in value when you sell your home. Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report offers some excellent information on which projects will increase the value of your home relative to their cost. You can see the full report or the Seattle-area data by clicking here.