Today's Home Buyers prefer new construction. Sellers sitting in an occupied home are at a distinct disadvantage: their home is "used." Here are 7 tips to make that property irresistible to all buyers, even if they thought they were only looking for new construction.

1 - Mint Condition

• Finish the "Honey,Do" list
• Deep, deep, DEEP clean the whole house, every nook and cranny
• Paint anything that doesn't come up clean
• Polish every item (especially wood floors, and metallic surfaces) that could gleam, glow and reflect light

2 - Update the lighting

• New houses all have recessed lighting; add recessed or halogen track in all key rooms
• Get the brightest "daylight" bulbs your electrical units will allow
• Make it easy for the showing realtor - put all light switches or lamps that need to be turned on as close to the entrance to each room as you can

3 - Certified Pre-Owned

Think Lexus, BMW and now... most car dealerships will offer you a CPO vehicle vs. new. CPO? Certified Pre-Owned. Some real estate offices offer an inexpensive home warranty program that will last for a year after the purchase goes through. This is a great way of assuring the buyer that everything is in perfect working order, and if not - it's covered by insurance.

4 - Modern Lifestyle

• Designate the room adjoining the kitchen as the Family Room
• Emphasize the Kitchen and Family Room, with open flow, bright energetic colors and warm, relaxed textures
• Make sure the space can accommodate food prep, eating, playing, relaxing, homework (kids AND adults)

5 - Outdoor Living Spaces

• Create additional "rooms" outside - for eating, cooking, sunbathing, reading, gardening, etc.
• it adds to the overall "feel" of square footage
• It speaks to the idyllic lifestyle we all wish we were living

6 - Special Spaces Show the ability to have the following in your home:-

• A Home Office
• A private bedroom & bath - for your returning adult child, aging parent(s), etc.
• Mudrooms, Wrapping Stations, Sewing Machine Closet (where the machine comes out on a rolling table and gets shoved back into the closet every time real life takes over) even a laundry room with an ironing board and a TV...

7 - The Green Card

Play up anything green, energy saving, state of the art. Even if it's only a new garbage disposal unit, it's still an asset, an investment, an "upgrade". I'd like to invite you to use these 7 tips over and over again when selling your house, and also when helping friends and relatives to do the same.