As a professional realtor, I have seen many homeowners struggle with preparing their home for sale.  To help make the process smoother, I have compiled a list of the top 10 tasks homeowners should do to prepare their home to sell.  Remember, hiring a experienced, professional local realtor is an important step in the process and will ensure that your home sells quickly, and for the best possible price.

1. Clean and declutter your home: A clean and decluttered home will not only look better to potential buyers, but it will also make the space appear larger.
2. Paint and fix any damages: Touch up any scuffs or holes in the walls and consider giving your home a fresh coat of paint.  This will help make your home look well-maintained and attractive to potential buyers.
3. Stage the interior: Properly staging your home will help buyers visualize themselves living in the space.  This means arranging your furniture to highlight the best features of each room and make it feel as spacious as possible.  In some cases this may mean hiring a professional stager.
4. Landscape the exterior: A well-maintained lawn and landscaping can greatly improve the appearance of your home.
5. Make necessary repairs: Address any broken fixtures or appliances that may turn off potential buyers.
6. Depersonalize the space: Remove personal items such as family photos, mementos, and collections to allow buyers to see themselves in the home.
7. Enhance lighting: Brighten up dark rooms with additional lighting or replace outdated fixtures. 
8. Consider hiring a home inspector: Having a professional home inspector go through your home can help identify any potential problems and give you a chance to address them before listing your home.
9. Set a fair price: Working with an experience local realtor, research the current market conditions and compare your home to similar homes in your area to determine a fair listing price.
10. Market your home effectively: Your local realtor will have the knowledge and resources to market your home to potential buyers, making it easier for you to sell your home quickly and for the best price.

Preparing your home to sell can seem overwhelming, but with the help of an experienced local realtor, it can be a smooth and successful process.  Make sure to follow these top 10 tips to get the best results.