"A lawn that looks good on the outside gives the impression that someone cares about that home," said Trey Rogers, a professor of turf-grass management at Michigan State University and the author of "Lawn Geek," a book of tips on how to maintain a lawn.
His advice is to "keep it green and keep it cut." Mow the lawn to about 3 inches high at least twice a week when a home is on the market; 2 inches if the home is in a Southern state. The more it is mowed, the denser it will become. And get on a fertilization program, Rogers said, starting at the beginning of the season.
If there are small spots to fill in, bypass store-bought sod and instead borrow some grass from an inconspicuous place elsewhere on the lawn, Rogers said. The grasses will match better that way.
Early birds selling at the tail end of winter should keep the sidewalks shoveled if there is snow on the ground.
2. Neutralize and de-clutter
When it comes to preparing a home's interior, go with neutral colors.
"People can't visualize beyond what they see." Neutral colors, including beige and ivory, have the added advantage of making a room appear larger.
Removing the home's clutter is also extremely important for helping potential buyers to imagine their family living in the home.
Beyond that, do some spring cleaning: Shampoo the carpets, rebuff hardwood floors and oil wood cabinetry.
3. Consider replacement projects
Consider getting a home inspection before listing their home as a way to detect any overdue replacement projects. The sellers can either fix any problems or give the buyers a discount to account for the repairs. Make the necessary repairs before selling.
Homebuyers recognize the value of a house that doesn't need major repairs.
The house is probably not going to move, or you're not going to get all the value out it, if the new buyer knows they're going to have to replace the roof sometime soon.
4. Kitchens and bathrooms rule
It's no secret that buyers tend to be awed by updated kitchens and bathrooms.
If the last time it was remodeled was in 1980, that's going to be points against, versus another house that was upgraded even five years ago with sort of a modern look. It's hard to go wrong with a kitchen or bath remodel, unless you get a little too edgy with the design or the materials you use.
That said, sellers spending only a couple of years in a house probably aren't going to completely remodel either room. Sellers should zero in on where these rooms need the most improvement and then decide how much they want to spend.
If kitchen cabinets are structurally fine but their exteriors are outdated, it might be worth it to reface them. If counters are old, replacing them may add new life to the room. In the bathroom, look into resurfacing a chipped or damaged bathtub.
5. Warranty coverage and documentation
Sellers can provide some extra peace of mind to buyers by purchasing a warranty on their home that will cover such things as heating and plumbing, should the buyer run into problems after closing. The coverage is becoming a little more popular. Warranties can be bought from companies such as American Home Shield and AON.
"Little things like that . . . you need that today, to set the property apart with all the competition out there"
Display the age of the water heater and furnace. If either one is on the older side, have it inspected for proof that it works correctly.
If you've done replacement projects in the past few years, dig out the documentation to prove it. If any of the improvements cut energy costs, make that known, too.