You have found your perfect custom dream home in the perfect area to live with the best neighbors you could ever imagine, and it even fits your budget.  Only one problem – before you can purchase your dream home, you have to try and sell your current residence.  These five helpful tips will help you to sell your home faster.

1.  Create a Welcoming Entrance

If you do not immediately impress potential buyers, it is an uphill battle the rest of the way.  Tips to improve the look of the entrance include removing weeds, trimming bushes, and mowing the lawn.  This clean look shows the buyer you care.  Also, the entrance should not be cluttered with shoes, keys, clothes, mail, etc.

2.  Eliminate Odors

Even if a smell is common to you, it does not mean the prospective buyer will not mind it.  Many know first hand how a box of baking soda in the refrigerator can remove those rotten smelling foods, but baking soda works other places too.  Baking soda can be used in garbage disposals, trash cans, washing machines, and even carpets.  Simply apply a light dusting over the smell, let it penetrate for 15 minutes, and then vacuum it up.  Although stains will not be removed this way, smells can be.

3.  Fix Nail Holes

While nail holes are small and may not be seen at first glance, they will surely be seen by a buyer looking at every inch of the home.  Holes all over a bedroom or living room wall can look tacky, and while they may not be the single reason for not selling a home, why take the risk?  Depending on where the holes are located, different applications can be used, such as drywall spackle, wood filler, or simply paint.

4.  Resurface Your Cabinets

Replacing your cabinets just to move out of the home is a cost burden to you.  But, if they truly need replacing due to the condition they are in, there is an alternative.  Resurfacing your cabinets is an easier, less expensive fix to spruce up the whole kitchen.  This can be done by removing the doors, drawers, and handles.  Next, thoroughly clean the surfaces, deglaze with liquid sand, and clean again.  If need be, you can paint as well.

5.  Spruce Up Your Appliances

Instead of replacing an entire appliance, update parts of it.  Whether in the kitchen or the laundry room, replacing knobs gives that not quite out-of-date appliance a little newer feel.  Most knobs can be removed and replaced with very few tools, if any.  This can be done by gripping the old knob and pulling it from the knob shaft gently, but firmly (or by unscrewing the knob, depending on the type).  After that, press (or screw) the new knob onto the shaft until it is back in its original position.

These minor updates to the home do not take much time, and can have you out the door and unpacking faster than you ever though possible.

However, once the home is sold, how do you begin to start packing?  Be smart, and efficient, and you will be out that door in no time.

Get Rid of the “Junk”

Although you may be moving to a new home, that does not mean you must take everything with you.  There is a great chance that somewhere in your basement, garage, attic, crawlspace, closet, or wherever there is something you do not really need.

If you have ever seen Storage Wars, or know how successful eBay is, you know there is money is some of these hidden treasurers.

If packing an item just to put it back in storage, try getting rid of it instead.  Moving is time consuming, so do not take more time moving things you do not need.  Once you have your items, you can try and make some money back either by having a garage sale, or posting these items on eBay.  You may be pleasantly surprised at how much you made.

Use a Moving App

If you have an iPad, there are many services you can take advantage of to help you move.  One of the best of all these applications is MoveTools, created by State Farm.  And best of all…it is FREE!

MoveTools is an organizational packing app that helps you remember where you packed your items.  Just tell the app what you are putting in each box as you are packing it, and you will be able to quickly find the items you need when unpacking.  The app will also let you print barcode labels and provide you with a to-do list that reminds you of all the important moving tasks.

With these handy devices at your service, unpacking will not have to be something you dread.

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