When considering raising the value of a home, there may be different reasons for it. Raising the value may be a plan to have more equity to borrow emergency money against or it could be simply thinking toward a future sale. If it is the former, then the changes must be substantial. However, getting a higher price when selling your home often requires cosmetic changes.

The presentation of your home will influence brokers as well as potential buyers. If brokers get a bad feeling about your house, they will not list it. Likewise, if a potential buyer smells some strange odor, they will move on to the next house. You must do everything you can to make your house look, smell, and feel more luxurious than it is when you live there.

Stop cooking with spices that smell up the place. Slap a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Throw some carpeting down, but new and nice. Replace any damaged molding, knobs, railings, and frames. Make sure the lighting does not detract from the presentation. Put brighter bulbs in and clean all of the domes. Pay attention to how the outside looks when approaching the house. Do not leave equipment or junk lying around. Clean up all debris that is not part of the landscaping plan. Wash your windows and oil your doors so they do not squeak.

All of it is common sense, but so many home owners overlook the obvious. Take a step back and look at it as if you had never seen your home before. If you have to, get an associate from work who has never visited to come evaluate his or her experience.

For a professional touch, a realtor like Jerry Armen will be able to guide you on what you should be doing, based on where you are, what sort of market climate it is and what sort of houses are selling.