Clutter and Dirt

You want buyers to imagine living in your home, not to wonder "How can these people live like this?" when they come through the front door.
It's not too soon to sort through your stuff. Donate, sell, recycle or trash whatever you don't want or need in your next home. Pack up your tchotchkes and other non-essential stuff that you want to keep (store the boxes neatly in your garage or other storage area). Tidy and organize drawers, cabinets or closets that buyers will be sure to check out. Then thoroughly clean your house, top to bottom, and be prepared to keep it that way until you move out.

Your Personal Interests

The last thing you want to do is distract, offend or provoke buyers. You want them to see the house, not you or your family. So pack up your collection of figurines or weapons, sports memorabilia from your favorite teams, expressions of religious faith or political belief (especially in this election year) and diplomas. You'll also want to remove family photographs including the typical gallery-style wall. In addition to helping "de-personalize" the space.

Crowded Countertops

We would like our kitchens and bathrooms look as Zen-like as the ones we see in design magazines. But life happens, and most of us don't live like that. Our kitchen counters are filled with small appliances and other paraphernalia, and our bathroom counters, ledges and shower nooks are filled with personal-care items. Remove everything from those areas before listing photographs are taken. In the kitchen, put back only the things you regularly use. In the bathroom, put your products in a basket or carrier that you can hide in a cabinet or closet when you're not using them.

Custom Window Treatments

It doesn't matter how much you spent on your custom drapes, sheers and valances. Simply put, buyers hate them. This has been a hot topic on a few home-related sites. Window treatments obscure the windows (an important architectural feature of any home), limit the view and natural light, and collect dust.

Take them down. If they match or coordinate with your upholstery, save them in case you can use them in your next home. If you need the drapes for privacy while you live in the home, make sure they're not dusty, and open them fully every morning when you wake.

Unpleasant Odors

You may have grown nose-blind to the odors in your home, but buyers will notice it as soon as they step through the door. Pet odors, cigarette smoke and strong plug-ins are especially troublesome. At a minimum, until you move out you need to smoke outside and clean the litter pan, wash the dog, make your teenager take his dirty laundry to the laundry room and empty the trash more frequently. Forego cooking strong- smelling foods. Lastly, open the windows occasionally to let in some fresh air.

Your Pets

Buyers may be frightened, allergic or distracted by them, even if your animal is well-behaved. It's best if you can remove your dog from your home during a showing.
If your cats strictly live indoors, you could put them in their cat carriers, take them outside or put them in your car and go get a drive-through coffee. Or, perhaps you could corral them in one room or in the garage and put a sign on the door to alert agents and buyers about the occupant within. Of course this would also works for a dog. Place a pet gate in front of the doorway, so the animal can't escape when the agent and buyer open the door.