Selling a house is arduous, every step of the way. There are a couple of things that a fledgling seller can remember to do to attract buyers, as well as make the process smoother for them and their agents.
Get the house ready–Your front door is a big part of the first impression. New paint and light fixtures will go a long way in making it a good one. Also, apply WD-40 to door hinges. If you can’t paint the whole house exterior, then focus on the front door, trim, shutters, railings, and porch.
A clean, fresh smelling home sells faster. The seller can get professional services on carpet, upholstery, drapery & blind cleaning; ceiling, wall & hard floor cleaning; duct & HVAC cleaning; mold mitigation & remediation; deodorization to revive the home and keep it in top show condition.
Curb appeal can make the house much more attractive to potential buyers. People tend to judge things by their cover so the landscaping, usage of space, style, color, and taste can encourage visitors to move forward and make a purchasing decision.
Plant a couple of trees in your front yard to frame the house. Flowers can create a positive emotional impact on home buyers. Install flower boxes with colorful flowers or buy flowers in container or pots and place them on your front steps or porch.
A lawn evenly cut, freshly edged, well-watered, and free of brown spots is vital. If there are problems with your lawn, you should take care of them before working on the inside of your home to give your lawn time to grow. 
It’s recommended to buy a new mailbox and add clear numbers. All changes must follow your city’s mailbox regulations. Add a seasonal wreath or another cheerful item at the door. A new, decorative doormat is also a good addition.
To make your house still look attractive in the dark, adding outdoor lighting in the evenings, the time when many buyers drive by properties.
Clean your gutters! If gutters are full of leaves, it makes buyers question other maintenance issues. Move toys, tools, and other items that make the yard look messy to a storage area.
Clearing away clutter makes space for visitors to walk through the house and removing personal stuff makes space for a potential buyer to imagine their new home in their style.
If the house doesn’t look all that new, repaint the walls to neutral tones in case somebody hates a certain color. A light color allows people to envision what the walls would look like with their preferred color and design.
Touch up any scuff marks, fix any loose handles, get some plants, rearrange furniture, and make good use of any awkward areas. You may also consider getting staged by a professional.
A home seller should also obtain a CLUE Property Claims Report before showing the home. Have it available for potential buyers to assure them that this house is not loaded with hidden problems…
What’s a CLUE report, and how do you get it?
The majority of home insurance companies contribute claims history information to a database called the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE).
The report contains a 7-year snapshot of info about you, including a list of any claims you’ve made. Underwriters use the information to rate insurance policies.
While agents can take care of most disclosure requirements, you need to get a C.L.U.E. report by yourself.
You can order your free CLUE report once a year. Visit https://PersonalReports.LexisNexis.com to request it by providing SS#. If something turns up false, you can challenge it.
The report can help homebuyer to see how difficult & costly it might be to get homeowners insurance on the property.
The lender will make sure there is a policy before funding. Buyer has the right to know before making a commitment.
With proper property description, price, and property photos, everything is good to go. List it for sale and get buyers in the door.
Meanwhile, you can work on law compliance.
California State Law requires the seller to:
— Inform the buyer about known home weaknesses
— Strap the water heater, reducing the chance of it falling during an earthquake and possibly causing gas and water lines to break.
— Deliver a copy of “Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety” to the buyer if the home was built before 1960 (Your real estate agent is required to give the seller a copy of this booklet).
— Deliver to buyers a Natural Hazards Disclosure form. The disclosure will tell buyers whether the home is in an Earthquake Fault Zone or in a Seismic Hazard Zone.
— Complete the Residential Earthquake Hazards Report, to be provided to the buyer.
California State Law does not require the seller to:
— Hire someone to evaluate your home.
— Strengthen your home before selling it.