vchal/iStock Wondering how to get smoke smell out of a house? Cigarette fumes can be a major turnoff, and even affect the value of your home. So it’s time to clear the air! Cigarette smoke smell, after all, isn’t just an aesthetic issue. According to a study published in 2010, third-hand smoke (the carcinogenic toxins that […]

ExperienceInteriors/iStock As most of us know, home staging can help sell a house—particularly in the living room, which has gotten a bad rap lately as a waste of space. The fact is, first impressions matter, and the living room is usually near the entry point for most homes. Reality check: This room may not be […]

fizkes/iStock Honesty is the best policy, but come on, it’s often tempting to fudge the truth a bit—even when selling a home. In fact, in certain situations, spilling too many beans could cost you a sale, so being vague may be the best policy. To be clear, we’re not condoning lying to deceive potential buyers. […]

Home sellers—and their real estate agents—go to great lengths to capture the attention of potential buyers. Some dress up in a dinosaur costume to make the listing photos stand out, some offer freebies such as tacos or beer with the purchase of the home, and some host over-the-top open houses with live entertainment and a […]

constantgardener/iStock First impressions matter—and when you’re selling your house, there’s nothing quite like the vision of a manicured yard to really wow potential buyers. Like staging the inside of your home, staging your yard takes time, effort, and a little bit of money. But your hard work is sure to impress, and the payoff can […]

As we say a fond farewell to July, it’s worth acknowledging that, despite being prime home-selling season, it can in fact be a challenge trying to show or renovate a place between fireworks on the 4th and weekend barbecues. And now that there’s only one official month of summer left, those who are determined to cross a real estate […]

Image Source/iStock Walking into an open house that looks like a page from your favorite shelter magazine can be comforting, even inspiring. It’s easy to see how much potential the home has with decor that’s color-coordinated and perfectly styled. You might even start to visualize your own furniture—and family members—in each room! But while a staged […]

You know the feeling you get when you check into a high-end hotel—the kind with sumptuous bedding, chic décor, and breathtaking views? The feeling of never wanting to leave? That vibe comes by deliberate design: Everything in that hotel was artfully staged to create a welcoming, luxurious environment to make guests feel pampered. Now, imagine […]

iStock; realtor.com Trying to sell your home, but no one’s buying? Don’t beat yourself up quite yet—there are lots of complex reasons why a home might not sell the instant it hits the market, many of which are beyond your control. However, there are also a lot of (to put it bluntly) dumb reasons a home […]

iStock; realtor.com You know how offering a free gift with purchase can be that extra something that persuades buyers to stop, take a look, and then open their pocketbooks to pay up? Well, that same approach works for selling homes, too. It’s psychology 101: Adding an unexpected benefit—beyond the home itself—can get potential buyers thinking, “Wow, I’m getting […]