is your home currently on the market?

Have you found an agent to list your home for you yet? If not I would live to speak to you about it. If you have then I wish you all the luck to get it sold quickly and for the amount you want it to be.

Good advice from the previous agents. I just wanted to comment on your statement "don't want to give our house away". Look at the comps the realtors provide and price your house right. I can assure you, no one "gives their house away". If you price it unrealistically, it will not sell, and you really won't have to worry about giving it away. Price should be based on data, not on the price of the house you want to buy, what your mortgage is, or what you owe.

The first things a buyer will look at is the kitchen and bathroom. If those are out of date it could be a deal breaker for most people. If these are updated and the price is right I feel the house will go fast.

If your home is priced correctly, the key to getting attention to your house is the condition of it. That is not only the physical condition (having repairs made, etc.) but also in updates to your home. Buyers want homes in tip top shape with no noticeable problems, but they also want it updated with anything they'd be able to find in a brand new home.
Most buyers will be looking online first. If the pictures of your house do not grab them, then they will keep moving and never make an appointment to see it. So a few tips to help get you started in getting in show condition. First, start packing! Pack up many of your things (especially storage, garage or closet items) and move them to a storage facility. You want your closets to appear very spacious (so clear at least 1/2 of the stuff out!). If you have lots of furniture, especially if you have big pieces of furniture, take out what you can. Leave the basics in each room that make that room. For what you do leave in the house, make sure it is organized very neatly. There are tons of great design friendly organization boxes and baskets out there that add style and take care of the clutter. If you have tons of knick knacks and pictures everywhere, simplify and pack some of that away too. You don't want the home to appear cold or unoccupied, but you do want it to appear neutral and simple.
If you have wallpaper or paint colors very specific to your taste, a nice paint job of neutral colors throughout will work wonders in opening up the space visually and in attracting more buyers. Neutrals that work best are those that work with brown tones. You don't want to be so neutral that you're using builder grade colors (because those appear to be cold too), but some nice warmth can be brought in with very light browns, taupes or rich cremes. Don't be afraid to bring in a little color to the room. If you go with those creme/brown tones, then punch the room with a bold color like red in small accent pieces like pillows or drapes. It makes the room so much more inviting. If your furniture is very decorative, it might not appeal to most buyers and be a distraction. So slip covers can be an inexpensive way to simplify and streamline the look in the space.

If your kitchen is dated and you don't have the budget for a complete renovation, consider a nice and current paint job on your cabinetry. Countertops may be expensive, but it is usually worth the investment to upgrade. If you want to make a luxurious statement, then something like granite will give a good impression. An investment in newer appliances, especially stainless steel, will probably make an impact. And, no, we can't forget about the floor. It is just as important, but there are so many things you could do there depending on whether you have the budget for it or not and depending on what you currently have to work with.

Bathrooms are next on the list. They are so important. Again, if they are outdated, there are so many things you can do to cost effectively update them and give them a wow factor. Some small tips include painting the cabinets if they are dated, taking your existing mirror and creating a nice wood frame around it, update the faucets, cabinet hardware and shower/tub fixtures (brushed nickel always works well), updating the lighting, and of course, clean it, clean it, clean it!!!



If making your home look like Lisa does on Designed to Sell is something you don't feel like you can pull off adequately, then an investment in a home stager will probably save your life!

Now, for repairs, for any imperfection - fix it! Put caulk in cracks in trim or crown molding. Paint where it is showing wear and tear. Anything on the exterior that needs to be addressed will save you headaches in the end if you just go ahead and do it now. Certainly if there are more glaring things, they will be noticed even more. It might not be a major problem, but a buyer will see one small imperfection and wonder what condition the house is truly in and be scared away.

Look at your house from well in front of it. First, can you even see it? There may be some things you can do to trim back shrubs and trees so the house is visible. Consider planting colorful flowers that will give it warmth. Make sure your mailbox looks fresh. Make sure shutters and doors or anything wood on the house look freshly painted. Ask yourself if you would buy your house as you look at the front of it. What things would you change?

Lastly, hire a realtor who has an amazing marketing plan to get you the exposure you need when selling!
I hope this helps. I'd love to see before and after pictures!