So, you have decided to sell your home? Before you can list it, you need to make sure it is market-ready. Here are four things that you need to do.

1. Clean Up the Yard

Curb appeal is one of those things that you cannot underestimate when it comes time to sell your home. The last thing you want to do is turn away potential buyers because of chipping exterior paint or an unkempt yard. Keep in mind that the first thing that buyers will see is the curb appeal of your home. They will begin assessing your home as soon as they drive up to your property. That first impression is a powerful one, and you need to make sure that it is a good one because it will help set the tone for the rest of your home.

So, make sure that there is no peeling or faded paint, no cracks in the driveway, no patchy grass, or no other potential maintenance issues. You want the exterior of the home to be eye-appealing and stress-free.

2. Dust the Home

Everyone is guilty of not dusting their home as often as they should. However, if you are going to be listing your home on the market, it is time to give your home a heavy dust-down, and this means everywhere. Have you checked your ceiling fan lately? This is one place that homeowners tend to forget about, but prospective buyers do not.

3. Declutter

If your home is overly cluttered, buyers won't be able to see how spacious your home is. Buyers want a spacious home, so clutter is a bad thing. While you may be able to see past all of your books, knick-knacks, etc., most buyers are unable to do so. Therefore, it is important that you take the time to go through all of your belongings and donate or sell some things that you don't need to hang onto. This will allow you to declutter your home and make it easier when it comes time to move.

4. Closely Examine Your Home  

One of the last things that you should do before you list your home is to give your home a walk-through. Look for anything that is not "perfect". There is a good chance that you have ignored something at some point in time because it has just become normal for you. Some things to keep an eye out for include broken switchplates, scuffed baseboards, etc. While these are little, they are things that can turn off a buyer. Be objective as you walk through your home looking for red flags, and don't forget to walk around the exterior of your home as well.

Talk to a real estate agent for help.