In slow market, minor preparations help sell home

The current real estate market, painful as it might be for homeowners who have to sell now, is a wake-up call and a great learning opportunity for the rest of us.

When buyer demand and prices climb incessantly, it's tempting for sellers to get a little careless about the condition of a home. Marginal properties seem to sell fine, so there's not much incentive to invest more time or money on remodeling upgrades that aren't essential and might, in fact, be undone by a new owner.

But when the market slows and the inventory of available houses accumulates, would-be buyers quickly realize their leverage and get picky, shunning properties that would have seemed perfectly acceptable in a "normal" market. Some homes still sell quickly, though, and it's often because they reflect the right balance of quality, features and realized potential.

There always will be a market for the odd fixer-upper at a bargain price, but for the many people for whom time is as precious a commodity as money, the phrase "needs some TLC" will send them looking elsewhere for something more livable.

Try to treat every decision about changes and upgrades to your home the way a potential buyer might see it.

Expect the routine work that's required just before marketing a home: thorough cleaning, freshening up the paint, light landscaping and perhaps hiring a professional stager to tweak the decor.

In the meantime, years of smart decisions can help ensure these minor preparations will be enough to sell your home even when the buying is slow. Here are some of the basics:

--Keep up with routine maintenance. Whatever your style preferences, a solid and healthy home is the ultimate attraction. You might get a mix of love-it and hate-it responses to your rustic hickory kitchen cabinets or the glass tile in the master bath, but no sane buyer will welcome a worn-out roof or antiquated plumbing.

--Take care of the little things. Over time, every house gathers its share of small scars. The door latch sticks, a light switch goes bad, a window pane breaks and gets secured with duct tape. These are all very minor problems, but they can accumulate. Anything that suggests neglect or a cheap fix sends the message that other, larger problems have been ignored.

--Don't leave the residue from prior repairs. You might know that the leak stopped after you got the roof shingles replaced, but the water stains on the ceiling or walls still look ominous to a prospective buyer who has only your word to rely on. Repair and repaint the plaster or wallboard, and refinish the wood trim if it's been discolored.

--Keep quality levels consistent. There's no sense splurging on high-end kitchen appliances if you pair them with dingy cabinetry. The odd pricey feature will only emphasize the poor relative quality of other amenities. Balance your remodeling budget so the improvements look like a well-planned package.

--Don't overpersonalize the home. Gutting two bedrooms to create a personal Star Wars memorabilia museum will not impress most would-be owners.

--Unless you're upgrading with additional square footage, more storage space, better traffic flow or other "generic" improvements, leave the structural stuff alone.

--Create one or more "wow" features. Your home needs something to help it stand out from the crowd. A large bank of windows can highlight a dramatic view or simply flood a room with daylight. Detailed millwork and some custom built-ins add an upscale air. A breakfast nook or window seat becomes a powerful symbol of the comfort and safety we naturally seek in our homes.

--Create something for everyone. Most homes are purchased by couples or families, and that can mean a longer or more diverse list of must-haves when they go house-hunting. Think about placing an ad for your home. What features and amenities can you claim? Gourmet kitchens, family rooms, home offices, workshops, gardens, outdoor living areas and sports courts are sure to generate interest.

--