Selling a house and getting a residence show-ready are two entirely different things.

If you list your house, homebuyers can evaluate it at their convenience. But merely listing a residence offers no guarantees.

Instead, a home seller may want to get his or her residence show-ready. Because if a house is show-ready, the likelihood increases that homebuyers will fall in love with this home as soon as they see it.

There are many quick, easy ways to get your home show-ready, and these include:

1. Clean and Declutter Your Home

Mop the floors, wipe down countertops and conduct various home cleaning tasks. That way, you can transform an ordinary home interior into an immaculate one.

Also, don't forget to declutter your residence as much as possible. If you evaluate your personal belongings, you can identify clutter and work to remove excess items from your house.

For those who need to get rid of clutter, you may be able to sell excess items at a garage sale or online. Also, you can donate excess items to local charities or give these items to family members and friends.

2. Revamp Your House's Exterior

Mow the front lawn, repair any cracked or damaged home siding and complete assorted home exterior improvements. By doing so, you can boost your house's curb appeal and help your home stand out to potential buyers.

Remember, your home's curb appeal may make or break a possible sale. If you allocate the necessary time and resources to revamp your house's exterior, you can increase the chance that a buyer will set up a home showing that could lead to a home sale.

3. Perform Last-Minute Touch-Ups

The final hours before a home showing can be stressful. Fortunately, if you know how to perform myriad last-minute touch-ups, you can boost the likelihood that your residence will make a great first impression on buyers.

Opening the blinds is a great way to brighten up your house prior to a showing. Furthermore, you should empty any trash bins to minimize the risk that unpleasant odors may emanate throughout your home.

Clearly, there's a lot that you can do to get your house show-ready. And if you need extra help as you sell your house, you may want to collaborate with a real estate agent as well.

A real estate agent is a housing market expert who understands what it takes to get a house show-ready. He or she is happy to provide home showing recommendations to ensure that you can stir up plenty of interest in your residence.

Of course, a real estate agent provides plenty of assistance throughout the home selling process too. This housing market professional will help you craft an engaging home listing, promote your residence to potential buyers and negotiate with a buyer's agent on your behalf. He or she will even respond to your home selling concerns and queries.

Prepare your house for a showing – use the aforementioned tips, and you should have no trouble getting your residence show-ready.

Circa 1965, having beautiful wood paneling was the envy of the neighborhood. It was like bringing the outdoors in. But 50-60 years later, it usually just makes a room seem dark and dated unless you live in a log cabin. In most cases, you can remove the paneling and paint the drywall underneath. Here's what you'll do.

What you'll need

• Primer
• Brushes
• Paint rollers 
• Painter's tape
• Plastic floor protection
• Paint pan
• Putty knife
• Spackling paste for nail holes
• Safety goggles
• Screwdriver
• Flashlight
• Pry bar
• Hand sander

Step one: make sure there's drywall under there

Some home builders simply hung the panels directly onto the studs. Others hung drywall first. Then they nailed the paneling over it. Before you begin this project, you need to know what you have. 

*Pro tip* Find out if you have drywall by removing the outlet and light switch covers. Then peer into the wall with your flashlight. You should be able to see the rough edges of drywall in there. If not, don't proceed unless you also want to hang the drywall. It's not that hard. But it's a two-person, multiple weekend job for the average DIYer. We want you to know what you're getting into. If this is more than you feel comfortable with, contact a professional.

Step two: remove the paneling

Put on your safety goggles. Insulation, nails or a piece of wood could go flying during this job.

Next, use a pry bar to remove any molding or trim, carefully if you plan to reuse it. Now, you'll see the edges of the panel. Pry it off panel by panel. It will be nailed into the studs, so you'll need to put some upper body strength into it. Break boards to get it off the wall. But try to keep the drywall underneath as undamaged as possible.

Step three: repair the drywall

You'll definitely have nail holes to fill after removing the paneling. You may also have small gouges. They are easy to fix. And you'll need to do that to have a smooth painting surface.

Apply spackle to the holes with your putty knife. Then allow them to dry before sanding the surface smooth. You may need a second coat. But know it doesn't have to be perfect. That's what primer is for.

Step four: prime the wall

Primer helps fill small imperfections and smooth the painting surface in preparation for painting the wall. Lay down your plastic and apply painter's tape where needed. Then roll your wall with primer. Use the paintbrush to get corners and crevices that a roller won't reach. 

*Pro tip* If you take a break, put the end of your roller and paintbrush in a large freezer bag and seal it as well with tape or a rubber band. If the primer or paint dries on the brush, you may have to replace it. That's an extra expense you can avoid.

Let the primer dry on the wall. Then use your flashlight to see if there are any thin spots. Apply more, as needed.

And you're all ready to choose your paint color. Goodbye, paneling. Hello, 21st Century. For more home projects to update and improve your home, follow our blog.

Buying a home should be an unforgettable experience. However, problems sometimes may arise that prevent a homebuyer from enjoying the property buying journey.

Whether it's tough negotiations with a stubborn home seller or a property inspection that reveals many problems with a house, problems may occur that can make the homebuying journey memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Lucky for you, we're here to help you streamline the homebuying process and ensure you can acquire your dream home quickly.

Now, let's take a look at three tips that homebuyers can use to transform an ordinary property buying experience into an unforgettable journey.

1. Perform Plenty of Real Estate Market Research

Navigating the real estate market can be tricky, particularly for first-time homebuyers. Conversely, homebuyers who evaluate the real estate market closely should have no trouble discovering a wide range of terrific residences.

Examine the prices of recently sold homes in your area. That way, you can establish a price range for homes that match your needs.

Also, analyze the amount of time that recently sold properties were available. This will help you differentiate a buyer's market from a seller's one and ensure you can map out your homebuying journey accordingly.

2. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Buying a home likely will require you to get approved for a mortgage. If you receive pre-approval for a mortgage, you can narrow your home search based on your budget.

To get pre-approved for a mortgage, you should meet with several banks and credit unions. These lenders can explain how a mortgage works and help you find one that suits you perfectly.

In addition, don't hesitate to ask plenty of questions when you meet with lenders. These mortgage professionals can provide expert insights into the different types of mortgages, including fixed- and adjustable-rate options. By doing so, they can help you get pre-approved for a mortgage so you can kick off your search for the perfect home.

3. Work with a Real Estate Agent

When it comes to buying a home, working with a real estate agent is paramount. This real estate professional will do what it takes to eliminate guesswork and streamline the homebuying journey.

A real estate agent understands the challenges that are commonly associated with buying a home and can help you overcome any potential hurdles along the way. He or she also is happy to respond to your homebuying concerns and queries and provide you with the support you deserve at any time.

Furthermore, a real estate agent will keep you up to date about new homes as they become available, set up home showings and negotiate with home sellers on your behalf. This housing market professional will even provide honest, unbiased recommendations to help you make informed decisions throughout the homebuying cycle.

Ready to get the best results from the homebuying journey? Use these tips, and you enjoy an outstanding homebuying experience.