Every home seller wants to ensure they get the most money for their homeand get those offers promptly. Properly preparing or 'staging' your house before you place it on the market can help get that sold sign up right away. It is imperative these steps be taken before you list your house on the market because the first couple weeks the house is on the market are the most important.

Meticulous cleaning - This is the one time when you need your house to be immaculate - both inside and outside. Potential buyers will be turned off by dishes in the sink, a stinking litter box or dusty furniture. Professionally clean your carpets. Remember, you want to create a lasting impression - a positive one. Clean your windows, wipe down floor molding, steam clean counter tops, replace moldy or aged caulking and even steam clean your garage. Prepare yourself and your family for the challenge of keeping your home spotless for the next several weeks. Reward your children for helping and keeping their rooms clean.

De-clutter - To ensure your house looks as significant and roomy as possible you will need to remove clutter and excess furniture. Tackle one room at time. Work through every closet, drawer and cabinet of every room. Sort furniture into three groupings: things you must leave in the room because it is a necessity, things you need to keep but can keep off the premises and things that you can discard. Your motivation as you de-clutter is to make your home look as spacious as possible. Keep in mind that potential buyers will look into closets, cabinets and even drawers as they walk through your home.

Remove excess furniture - Leave only those furniture items that are necessary and those furniture that reflect the purpose of the room. If furniture impedes a pathway, move it to storage. This is not the time to save a few dollars and store everything in the garage. You need to remove clutter from the garage as well so it looks as spacious as the rest of your de-cluttered home.

Neutral Colors - While you might enjoy that bright orange den, most prospective buyers will be turned off by bold paint and carpet colors. Most buyers walk through a house and try to visualize how it will look with their furniture in the home. They may find this troublesome to do if the color tone clashes with their items. Think neutral and warm to please the widest audience. Repaint rooms and strip wallpaper that does not fit this neutral theme. Replace carpeting that is not neutral in color or is highly worn. Once the walls and carpeting are neutral colors, you can add back some color with tactful accents and accessories.

Highlight leading characteristics - Take advantage of unique or imperative features of your home. If you have beautiful hardwood floors, don’t hide them with a large area rug. Removing the rug and polishing the hardwood floor will show off this crucial element of your home. For fireplaces, be sure to thoroughly clean the inside of the fireplace and spruce up the mantel with some small topiaries or other decorative accents. Take advantage of other crucial features of your home and accentuate them so they become a focal point of the room.

Curb Appeal - After tackling the inside of your home, you need to steam clean up the outside as actually. Due diligence are lasting. Prospective buyers will gain their first impression of your home as they drive up for a showing. Paint the exterior of your home and window trim if needed. Trim your bushes and trees. Mow and edge your yard weekly while the house is on the market. Remove leaves and weeds from your flowerbeds.

Set the right mood for showings - After you have staged your house and filed away in for sale, be ready for the showings and take steps to enhance the experience for the potential buyers. Be careful of what you cook. Salmon almondine may sound wonderful for lunch, but the smell could linger into your unplanned evening showing. Strategically place air fresheners throughout the house, but use them in moderation. You should plan to leave the house for every showing. Don't forget to take your pets with you; a barking dog can be a significant turn off for a potential buyer. Empty all trash cans and turn on all lights before you leave. Remember, patience is a virtue and you will need a great deal of it during this time. Showings can be a complex interruption and the effort it takes to keep your house immaculate may seem formidable. In the end, it will be worth the effort and will help you find the right purchaser early in the project.

If you follow these suggestions sincerely, you may have second thoughts about selling your home now that it looks so appealing. You'll see the most prospective buyers during the first couple weeks the home is on the market. Capitalize on this traffic and be sure to turn up the charm during this critical time period.