Trying to sell before the end of the year? You’ll need to make sure your home is in shape.

If you’re trying to sell in this market, you need to understand where the market is at. It’s been a while since sellers have been able to throw a “for sale” sign on the home and sell a fixer for a premium. You’ll need to make sure your home is fixed up and has not only curb appeal, but draws the buyer inside and out. Does this mean you’ll need to spend a fortune? Not necessarily. Here’s are some key things to look for and many things you can do for free!

Fences: Paint or stain. Fix any loose or broken boards.

External Lighting: Make sure all of them work. Install brighter light bulbs for the sale (keep within manufacturers recommended limits, though!)

Garden: Make sure everything is neat and trimmed. Dispose of rubbish and excess debris. Plant colorful flowers, if conditions allow. Fresh mulch around trees can do wonders.

General exterior: Pressure wash and scrub sidewalks and driveways. You’d be surprised how much difference this can make. If you have patio furniture, this is a good time to clean and arrange them. Don’t be afraid to “stage” the outdoor area of your home.

General interior: Repaint, if needed. See if floors need sanding and restaining. Carpets. Changing or just removing them is terrific. It’s a must if you have pets. (note: even if YOU don’t think it smells, ask for the honest advice of a non-pet owner. If they can smell it, so can a potential buyers. Pet smells can be one of the top ‘momentum killers’ when it comes to buyers). Replace old lighting fixtures, if needed. Change lightbulbs and make sure the house is bright and cheerful with lights on during the day. They can always be replaced by flourescents by the new owners once the home is sold.

Kitchen: One of the key rooms in the home. Replace old countertops with granite (you may be suprised how inexpensive pre-fab Chinese granite tops can be), an alternative can be tile.

Living room: De-clutter. Consider removing one or more piece of furniture.

Bedrooms and other rooms: De-clutter. Put into storage out-of-season clothes, shoes, and other items. Extra furniture should be put away.

General personal security: Put away (and lock up) anything with your social security or bank information. Turn on password protection on your computers. Put away portable hard drives and other storage mediums.

There are many other things you can do, but this is a healthy start!