Selling a home can be stressful. Sellers often make the mistake of buying a new home before selling their previous home and end up with two mortgage payments each month. In a situation like that, anything a home seller can do to enhance the chance of selling a home is worth doing.

Home buyers usually expect to buy a home that is in good repair. While home sellers often think of the big-ticket items (like central air or the garage door opener) and make sure they work correctly, it can be the little things that make a biggest bad impression.

  • In Home Selling Tips : Part 1, I mentioned that family photos can be “unnecessary distractions.” If you remove pictures from the walls, make sure you leave no unsightly holes, nails or other picture hanging hardware.
  • Look for loose hardware and tighten it. This includes things like cabinet hardware and knobs, faucet handles, and door knobs.
  • Check your door bell — front and back door — and make sure it works.
  • Screens on doors, windows and screened-in patios and rooms should be in good repair. Replace any that have holes or are damaged.
  • Check your windows. Does the hardware work properly? Do the windows open as designed? Of course, replace broken panes.
  • Replace bad light bulbs. And remember to check the lights in your closets.
  • If your home has dimmer switches on light fixtures, make sure they work as they should.
  • Faucets should not drip! If they do, fix them.
  • Toilets should flush properly. If they don’t, fix them.
  • A home buyer may not do it during his or her visit, but expect a home inspector to turn on all the sink, shower and tub faucets, the washing machine and the dishwasher at the same time to see if your plumbing is clogged or constricted. It shouldn’t be.

You can read more home selling tips in Home Selling Tips : Part 1.