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Selling your property – showing, negotiating and closing the deal – can be exciting, but well before you put up a "for sale" sign, you'll need to get ready to list your home. Here are five tips to help prepare both you and your property to make the selling process as pain-free and profitable as possible. 1 Change your point of view As a homeowner, we see things with a bias. It's only natural to view through rose-coloured glasses the home we know and love, especially if we've spent considerable time there. Conversely, if you dislike certain attributes of your home and can't wait to move on, you might be blind to its strong suits. It's beneficial to have a few neutral people – acquaintances or co-workers, for example – take a look at your home from a fresh point of view. They may see good or bad traits that never occurred to you and they can pinpoint areas to improve. Invite people who've never been to your home before and encourage them to give a frank opinion. 2 Refresh and repaint New paint is perhaps the easiest way to freshen up your home's exterior and interior living spaces. A contemporary colour scheme can take years off your home's façade and make it feel much more inviting and contemporary. Consult an interior decorator or paint supplier if you're unsure about choosing hues and if you're new to painting, you may wish to get tips from a pro before picking up a brush or roller. Any wild wallpaper or dated millwork can also be freshened up with new paint. Don't forget wooden floors, cupboards and worn furniture. When it comes to makeovers with paint, the options are virtually unlimited. 3 De-clutter and simplify Most buyers want to be moved by a spacious, open living environment, so the time to de-clutter and simplify your home is now. Think of time spent as a worthwhile investment, as purging ahead of time will also make the moving process easier after you sell. Charity thrift stores will often pick up saleable furnishings and homewares you no longer want or need. You could also host a garage sale or post your items for sale online. Items that take up too much space but have sentimental or other value can be removed and stored temporarily to make your home more appealing. Be sure to attend to all your hide-and-tuck spaces, such as linen closets, laundry rooms and storage cupboards, since potential buyers may poke their noses into every nook and cranny. It's also a good idea to remove valuables (such as jewellery or silverware) that could easily be stolen during a busy open house. 4 Maximize curb appeal You've only got one chance to make a first impression, so make sure your home has positive curb appeal. Take a drive past as though you're doing so for the first time. Is the driveway neat and tidy? Is the landscape well at home Planning to put your home up for sale? Follow these five basic steps to get it ready for viewing Sell! Ready, Set, iStock spring 2015 bca a .com 27

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