1. Tour the house with a critical eye to decluttering and depersonalizing

each room as much as possible. Declutter by removing items such as

newspapers, magazines and knick-knacks from floors and table surfaces.

Reshelve all books and clear all dishes from kitchen counters. When

decluttering storage areas, the rule of thumb is to remove one-third of the

contents. This makes closets, cupboards and pantries appear to have adequate

room for storage. Decluttering makes each room seem larger and ensures

prospective buyers can focus on the features of the room without being

distracted by collectibles and family photos. Depersonalizing a house prior

to selling it allows a buyer to better envision his or her own family living

in the space. A decluttered and depersonalized house should be similar to a

holiday rental home; clean, comfortable, and easy to move right into.

2. Do a "sniff test" for unpleasant pet, moisture and cooking odours. Send

pets away while the house is on the market. Borrow a dehumidifier and run

it continuously to remove dampness. Avoid strong air fresheners as they can

overwhelm visitors; open the windows instead for fresh air and

cross-ventilation. An easy tip is to place a large bowl of citrus fruit in

the kitchen. Lemons, limes and oranges make a pretty, colourful centerpiece

and slicing one fruit each day imparts a fresh scent in the house.

3. Curb appeal is key to a quick house sale. When prospective purchasers

arrive at the house, what is the overall first impression? Buyers who are

pleased when they see a home with a neat, tidy and cheerful exterior are

likely to be pleased with the interior of the home as well. Spruce up the

exterior prior to listing the house for sale. Remove all dead flowers,

leaves and twigs from the front garden. Prune shrubs and water and mow the

lawn. Add cheerful bursts of colour with inexpensive pots of annuals on the

front step or along the the front drive. Wipe down exterior light fixtures,

window sills and door frames with a damp cloth to remove dust and cobwebs.

Ensure all lights are in working order and that all walkways are clear of

clutter. Outdoor garbage, compost and recycling bins should be stored away

neatly.

4. When it is time to list the house for sale, choose your sales

professional carefully by asking friends, family, and colleagues for

recommendations. Look at the properties currently for sale and those that

have recently sold in your neighbourhood. Which agents are the most active?

Whose listings are on the market for longer periods of time, and whose are

sold quickly? A quick house sale often indicates the agent has priced the

home well for the market, and provided good advice to the sellers regarding

optimizing the appearance of the house for a successful sale. Many real

estate professionals today offer staging services for clients to help market

their homes. Staging a house involves rearranging, removing or adding

furniture, art and other decorative pieces to best show the features of a

home.

5. Consider the walls of the house. Be honest. Is the home in need of a

quick paint job? Painting is an inexpensive way to make a dramatic change

and increase the odds of a quick house sale. Whether brightening a room with

a lighter shade or adding an elegant touch with deeper tones, a freshly

painted home appears new and clean. While the smell of paint may linger when

the house goes on the market, the paint smell can actually help mask other

unpleasant smells. Ask the agent for advice regarding current popular paint

choices, or consult with a designer for quick and inexpensive ideas.

If you're looking for a < a href="http://www.cashpropertysale.com/">quick house sale then often selling your house through an estate agents is not an option. Visit Cash Property Sale today where they can give you a solution to this.

Author's Bio: 

Diane Kirby is the lead author for the UK based Wholesale Shoe Reviews website. Diane's primary responsibilities consist of article authoring, content creation and comment moderation for the review site. Diane has been working as the primary author both this site and many others for a number of years.