The Seattle Times just listed some home preparation ideas worth reading:

Don’t make radical changes without careful consideration…

Talk with a real-estate agent to find out whether major changes should be considered. If it’s something your home desperately needs — a new roof or new exterior paint job, for example — it might be worthwhile…

Maximize curb appeal.This is the impression made by your home when a potential buyer arrives to see it for the first time. That initial impression is worth a great deal. If a home is even halfway decent inside, a good curb-appeal impression will help it sell itself.

Here are some ways to generate better curb appeal:

• Repair any cracks in the driveway or walkway and resurface if necessary.
• Keep the landscaping clean and neat.
• Make sure the home looks freshly painted.
• Keep the garage doors closed when potential buyers visit.
• Make sure garbage cans and other paraphernalia are out of sight.

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Clear the clutter to make the inside of your home look as big as possible…

Speaking of smells, use them to your advantage. Have a small bowl of vanilla warming in the oven or a slow cooker of apple cider brewing and a fresh batch of chocolate-chip cookies baking.