You’ve decided that you need to sell your home. Of course you want to get more money for your house, so what can you do to make sure you get the most? What tips can you use to go for the green? Pretty simple ones.

First things first, make sure your home is clean. Use your time before the listing goes up scrubbing it from top to bottom. Move furniture and appliances and clean under them. Pack up clutter and put it in storage. Put excess furniture there as well. Soap, water, dusting and decluttering should be your mantra.

That will lead you to the next tip: repair. Fix broken hinges, leaky plumbing, and all those little jobs you’ve been putting off. Do them now. Re-caulk old windows and door frames. Bathroom and kitchen fixtures also need it. Not only does it spruce it up, but it seals out drafts and water leaks. If you have bathroom or kitchen tiles that are loose or cracked, replace them. Re-grouting is also a good idea. Again, it freshens up and makes the room look like it was recently updated.

Update. Yes, if you can afford it, update the biggies: kitchens and baths. Talk to your Realtor and ask their opinion about what, exactly, you should replace. Carpeting should also be professionally cleaned or replaced. Repaint walls. You need to make your home as project free as possible.

Replace appliances. You need to do this especially if you are planning on taking the ones you already have. Who wants to spend top dollar on a house where they will have to immediately buy a refrigerator or washer and dryer?

Have a friend walk through your house and tell what it looks like to them, gloves off, no holds barred. You may get a much better idea of
how others view your home and figure out what to improve. The point is to get more money for your house so put on your thick skin and then put the sweat equity in and go for the green! That check at the settlement table will be your reward!