This is a difficult time to sell your home. Properties are staying on the market longer, prices are falling and vendors are selling for less than they’d hoped.

The way you prepare your home for sale can add thousands of dollars to the eventual sale price. You don’t have to spend a fortune, it just requires planning and good marketing.

Choose a good agent
Speak to friends, neighbours and family in your area and see who they recommend. Find out what their commission is and where they plan to advertise. Ask for your house to be advertised in your local and city papers, as well as online at www.realestate.com.au and www.domain.com.au. Work with the agent to develop an enticing signboard and brochure.

Set a reasonable asking price
We all want to sell for the best price, but be realistic. Research what similar homes have sold for in your area, then set the maximum you expect – buyers want a bargain and will start negotiating below the asking price.

First impressions COUNT
If the outside of a house looks good when people drive by, it’ll encourage them to go inside. The key is the front yard. This means a painted fence, mowed lawn, trimmed edges, nice garden and a visible, numbered letterbox.

Do some spring-cleaning
Enhance your home’s appeal by washing grubby curtains, scrubbing the bathroom and cleaning the windows. Make your house feel light too. Pull back the curtains and trim any trees or bushes that hang over windows.

Revamp rooms that need it
The kitchen, family room, master bedroom and bathroom are the most important for buyers. A coat of paint could do the trick, while inexpensive vinyl floor covering may be a handy idea for kitchen and bathroom floors showing wear and tear.

Don’t put off those repairs
Cracks in the plaster can make a house look run-down. A bit of filler and paint will help a lot. It’s also a good time to fix any leaking taps and damaged flyscreens.

SET THE MOOD
Make your house enticing for inspections. Turn on the lights, put fresh flowers on the table and play soft background music. At inspection time, try to get your family and pets out of the house. You don’t want buyers to feel like intruders and hurry through.