Part 3: Fix before you list

House hunters are often willing to fix cracked concrete or a doo-wop era kitchen when the pickins' are slim, but when the market is flooded with competition, it's more important that your home be in tip-top shape.

"Buyers don't need to buy a home that needs paint when they can go down the street and find one that doesn't," says Thompson. And many buyers are willing to pay a premium for a home that's in mint move-in condition.

To make buyers believe your home is worth the list price, get recommendations from your agent or appraiser, or try these simple staging ideas:

Small improvements make a big difference. "The three Ps -- purge, pack and paint -- are the most effective, least expensive things people can do," says DeMolen.

Even if your staging budget is, well, nonexistent, eliminating extra furniture, knick-knacks and clutter makes your space look larger. "Take one piece of furniture out of every room. Take down personal photos, remove valuables and clean out all of the closets," recommends Weintraub. If you need someplace to stash your stuff, rent a storage unit.

Also, consider throwing in the furniture. Offering a furnished space will make your home seem more move-in friendly, and could help you fetch a higher price.

Spruce it up or slice the price. "If you don't have time to paint or redo the floor covers (and they need it), you should reflect that in your list price," recommends Gaye Atherton of Atherton Appraisals in Knoxville, Tenn. It's amazing how the right price will make a home's imperfections much less noticeable.

<< Part 2: To FSBO or not to FSBO? I Part 4: Name Your Price >>

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