Step #4: Clean it UP!

So the new year is here and you're serious about getting your house on the market. Maybe you started clearing the clutter and packing some non essential items away but now it's time to take a serious look at the nitty gritty areas of your house.

Buyer's are looking for faults - be prepared. Stained carpets, water marks on the ceiling and crayon on the walls mean hundreds of dollars off your bottom line. Why lose money and potential buyers when a weekend of heavy cleaning will have your home gleaming?

Here are the basic areas to watch for - once you start looking at your home like a buyer all the 'invisible' dirt you didn't notice will suddenly start looking like money going down the drain!

1) Clean the carpets - hire a carpert cleaner or a company - the difference can be miraculous, especially if regular shampooing has not been done in a few years.

2) Clean the walls. A Magic Eraser will do wonders cleaning fingerprints, crayon and scuffs off your walls. Pay attention to door frames and light switches which tend to show the most wear.

3) Clean the windows. Light and bright is what sells homes. Give yours the best showing with crystal clear windows. You may be surprised at how much a small layer of dust or grime cuts the light entering your home.

4) Bathrooms and Kitchens. These are the critical areas buyers will look at. Food preperation and personal hygeine are areas where sanitation is of huge importance. A dirty sink, stove or toilet will turn buyers off immediately. If harsh chemicals bother you don't forget that a paste made from baking soda and water works wonders on cutting grime and white vinegar will make bathtubs and other surfaces shine!

5) Get rid of odors - smelly laundry, garbage cans and closets need to be freshened up. Keeping these areas regularly cleaned is important, but in a pinch don't forget air neutralizers. Don't mask smells with freshers, use the right tool for the job.

6) Leaves still covering the yard? Garage filled with junk? Plan a weekend to tackle the big jobs as soon as possible so that your only cleaning before a home showing is touch ups and general maintenance.

Once you've acheived a thoroughly clean, decluttered home there are only a few steps left!

Next: Repairs