But existing homes are somewhat like used cars - they often show signs of wear and tear that can devalue them, or have design issues that will need to be overcome in order to get the most attention from qualified buyers.

Some good examples of this include the presence of pet odors, stale cooking smells, or smoke, as well as worn or faded walls and ceilings, or stained or damaged windowsills or trim. In addition, homes may also have some type of negative design issues that may discourage buyer interest, such as rooms that appear too dark or very small, oddly constructed areas due to past additions or renovations, or ceilings that appear too low to be attractive.

If you are preparing your existing home for sale and facing some of these problems, there may be a relatively inexpensive solution and it might be as easy as adding a fresh coat of paint.

Neutralizing Lingering Odors

When buyers enter and view a home they are interested in, lingering odors are one of the first things they are likely to notice. Smells that may not even be noticeable to the people who live there can seem unpleasant to those who are not used to them. If the home has lingering odors, such as stale cooking smells, pet odors, or traces of cigarette smoke, buyers may even lose interest in the home and seek a different one, instead.

Sellers who want to avoid this type of problem should consider repainting their home's interior using one of the newer paint, primer, or sealant products designed specifically to contain odors when applied to walls, ceilings, and surfaces in the home. These kinds of paint are typically available at most home improvement and paint stores.

Brightening Dark Spaces

Another way in which paint can be an inexpensive fix for a home problem that might otherwise cause buyers to lose interest is to use it to lighten dark, shadowy spaces.

To brighten these areas and maximize existing light, sellers should:

• clear away clutter and excess furniture to create a more open feel
• paint walls, ceilings, and trim in bright white or a light color that will help to maximize light
• remove heavy, dark window coverings and replace them with sheer panels, light colored blinds, or leave windows uncovered to allow maximum light to filter into the room
• place mirrors or light reflecting surfaces where they will best gather and reflect incoming natural light

Adding Cosmetic Appeal

Most older homes, especially those that have undergone extensive remodeling or enlargement, have at least one oddly shaped room or area that may be confusing to buyers who are left wondering how they might best utilize the space. Examples of these include rooms with sharply sloped walls or those with ceilings comprised of multiple angles.

While it is usually not feasible to demolish these areas and completely renovate them, sellers can carefully select and apply paint to help make these areas much more appealing.

Making Ceilings Appear Higher

Rooms in which the ceilings appear to be too low can make buyers uncomfortable with the home, even though they can comfortably move about in the space without having to duck. But through the creative use color and painting techniques, sellers can draw the buyer's eye upward and create an illusion of much more height in these areas.

An excellent option for doing this is to use different colors for the ceiling and walls, bringing the ceiling color several inches down onto the walls. A band of contrasting color or trim is then placed at the point where the two colors meet, creating a focal point that encourage the viewer to look upward, helping to create the feel of a much higher ceiling. Other good ideas, include painting vertical stripes onto walls or using a mirror-like finish on low ceilings to amplify light and give the appearance of more vertical space.

Healing Minor Damage

Preparing the existing home for sale also means healing nicks, gouges, and scratches that are inflicted over time through normal family use. While this type of damage is usually cosmetic, it can create an impression of poor maintenance that sellers should work to avoid. A coat or two of good quality paint may be all that is needed to fix most minor scratches and abrasions. Deeper scratches may require filling with a good quality wood filler and then sanding the repaired area smooth before painting.

For more guidance on making your home as appealing as possible to prospective buyers, sellers can use the advice of their listing agent. Because real estate professionals work with buyers, sellers, builders, and repair contractors regularly, they can offer excellent guidance to help sellers make their home look its best.