Everyone wants to sell their home for the highest possible price. Real estate books tell us that condition and location are big determining factors influencing a final selling price. While there isn't much that can be done about location, a home's condition is another matter. Spending a few dollars, along with some elbow grease, could mean the difference in thousands of dollars and may even make the difference in whether or not you sell in your time frame. Remember, the market has changed now . It's more of a buyers market now than from years past. You're competing for that smaller group of buyers.

Many home sellers don't want to spend money on fixing up their homes before sale, but this can be a major mistake if you want top dollar. Most home buyers just simply want to "turn the key" and move in. You know, sofa over there, television over here, grab a piece of pizza and reach for the remote. Buyers are willing to pay for near-perfect condition homes. That said, here are a few good home selling preparedness tips to get you your best price.

"People Buy on Emotion, Make Your Home Emotionally Appealing"

Outside: Trim the shrubs. Pull the weeds. Flowers planted. Leaves picked up. Keep the lawn green. Pick up and discard or store all implements, materials and debris that are not part of the lawn decor. All windows washed. Garage should be swept, neat and tidy. Paint and repair if need be.

Walls: All walls should be clean and free of gouges, scratches, smudges, scotch tape, posters, thumbtacks, etc. Walls should only have decorative items. Posters and paper pictures taped to walls should be removed and all evidence of the tape markings removed.

Doors: All doors should be free of scotch tape, posters, decals, or stickers. All door handles should be clean and in good repair. Perhaps it's time for a new doorknob and hardware.

Fixtures: All bathroom and kitchen fixtures and counters should be sparkling clean. Polish chrome faucets and handles in the tub and sinks. All sinks, tubs, toilets and counters should be clean.

Floors: All flooring should be clean and waxed if necessary. All carpeting should be very clean regardless of its age. If the carpeting has not been steam cleaned for more than two years, now is the time to do it.

Windows: All windows should be spotlessly clean inside and out and free of any flaking or loose paint on the edges. All windows should be in good repair with no cracks. Screens should be clean and in good condition, free of rust and holes. Any paint on glass should be removed with a razor blade prior to cleaning.

Ceramic Tile: All joints between tiles should be clean and white. Use DAP bathroom tile sealer to reseal the joint between bathtub and wall and floor.

Closets: The interiors of all closets should be presentable and organized. Tidy and uncluttered. All unneeded or unused items should be discarded. Display your storage and utility space by removing all unnecessary accumulations in attic, stairways, closets and garage. All clothing, shoes, hats, accessories, tools, papers, magazines, books and personal items not contributing to the decor of the room should be stored in closets or dressers.

Kitchen: Counters should be clean and free of any articles not contributing to the decor of the room. All magazines, books, ashtrays, food, bottles, containers, cans, toys, hobby accessories, dishes, cookware, etc. should be stored in the proper cupboards or closets or storage areas. Kitchens are important, make it inviting. How about a plate of cookies or a bowl of fresh fruit?

Lighting: Open all shades and draperies during the daylight hours. Replace all burned out light bulbs with the maximum light producing bulbs. Turn on all lights throughout the house prior to showing the house.

Odors: Nothing smells better than fresh air. On warm days, have your windows open and shades up. Make your home feel and smell bright, fresh and clean and you will have a faster sale. Make very sure that there are absolutely no pet odors.

Key Point: Whether you sell your home yourself or through an experienced agent, there are a variety of things you can do to create an appealing home and make it as inviting as possible. They may not realize it but home buyers pay attention to details; so should you if you want your home to be a quick sale at top dollar in this market.

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