1. Should I upgrade my house before trying to sell it?
It is best to make all necessary repairs to your house before putting it on the market. Cosmetic items may be ok to leave as is, but major items in dis-repair could cause buyers to move on to another house. The rule of thumb is twofold: 1) For every dollar you spend on a smart repair or correction you make to your house when going on the market you'll increase your value by 3x. 2) For every dollar you do not spend on a repair or correction to your house, a buyer will negotiate you down by 3x. And remember, the more WOW! Factor you can create in your home, the more buyers will be attracted to it. Sell the sizzle, not the steak. It's all in the details.
2. What stays with the house & what goes?
All fixtures & appliances should remain with the house. If it's attached to walls, ceilings & floors it should remain with the house. If you want to keep the family heirloom chandelier, remove it before coming on the market & replace it with another light fixture. Any items that the seller wants to exclude from the sale should be clearly written down on the listing to prevent confusion. Items that are not included can also be labeled as such in the house.
3. What can I do to get the house ready for showings & command the best possible sales price?
Simple things can make your property shine versus its' competition. Everything from floors to windows should be spotless. Clean the oven & other appliances. Make bathrooms spotless & "Targetize" them with new white or off-white rugs & towels (which you will only put out during showings). Remove offensive odors, eliminate clutter, and give the yard a good once-over. Curb appeal is important & so is the front entry area, since they make up the critical first impressions of the property.