With +/- 25 listings at any given time, ensuring hat my sellers are putting their best foot forward is always a priority with me. Our markets are seeing double and triple the normal amount of inventory, which means your home can get lost in the crowd! Everyone knows Sellers should de-personalize their home, light candles, blah, blah, blah. Ok, those things work, but can you tip the scales in your favor in addition to those tried-and-true selling techniques?

I think you can and I'm going to share some great ideas with you:

1) Map your home for sale with drive/walk times and distances to local restaurants or other places of interest (bike trails, malls, etc), playgrounds, schools, parks, etc. Our culture is becoming more exercise-conscious, walking-friendly, and main street centered.

2) Make a comprehensive list of all your upgrades with the year it was upgraded. Buyers love to see the years when certain items were updated - it gives them a sense of security and ability to forecast potential repair/replace issues. Don't have remodeled/replaced items on your list - - - your list price better reflect that!

3) Make a list of all contractors who normally do work on your home - plumber, electrician, roofer, pest control, etc. Having this issue shows buyers you care for your property and have a team of certified professionals to rely on.

4) This is big - assemble your last year's worth of electric bills...better yet, itemize your monthly utility bills. That's the greatest unknown when buyers are looking and putting that info out there shows you are proud of your home. Are your utility bills large? Consider making changes to you home to mitigate those costs (new insulation, low flow toilets and shower heads, new energy-efficient appliances, etc).

5) Include a copy of the last couple of monthly meeting minutes for your HOA or COA. Unless your community homeowner's association is a warzone, including meeting minutes is a great way to familiarize your potential buyer with your community.

6) ***GOOD TIP*** Ensure you have a copy of you Condo Docs/Deed Restrictions & latest Financials on hand. I always have to tell my buyers that we normally don't see condo/hoa docs until we're under contract. Analytical Buyers HATE that answer. Soothe their fears by having those docs on a personailzed thumb drive or CD.

7) Have warranty info for machanical items summarized on a separate sheet. it will give buyers great piece of mind and they may be a little more "accepting" of flaws in home inspection.

8) This one takes some coordination but can really seal the deal! Let a neighbhor know when your showings are and when the buyers arrive/depart, have that neighbor wave, say good morning, or start casual small talk. This feat req's some coordination and a personable neighbor, but it will instill a sense of belonging in your buyer and allow them to picture themselves living there.

These are just some out-of-the-box ideas - good luck!