With the median size of new homes on the rise, you might worry about trying to sell your home if it's on the small side. According to a National Association of Home Builders report titled "The Next Decade for Housing" - the size of the typical new single-family home continues to grow. The median size of a new home today is about 2,100 sq. ft.; in 1970 the median square footage was about 1,400. Some of today's buyers are using the extra space for guest rooms, but many are utilizing the space for home offices, studies or hobby rooms according to NAHB.

Despite these trends, small homes have their own advantages when you are selling. For starters, there's a strong demand for entry-level homes. First-time homeowners comprised 40 percent of the total home purchases (17 million purchases) in 1999, according to the November 2001 U. S. Housing Market Conditions Report, published by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.

Some things to think about when preparing your home for showing include:

• 1. Eliminating the clutter. Clutter is a downfall for any house, but in a small house, the more clutter the potential buyer sees, the less house he'll see. Keep the kitchen counters clear, eliminate all those knickknacks scattered about the house & keep your accessories & artwork simple.
   
• 2. Curb appeal. First impressions are everything. Let your home make a strong impact the moment anyone pulls up to the house. Spruce up your landscaping, keep your lawn manicured, plant a few annuals out front, make sure your front door area is free from clutter, bikes, skates, & the like.
   
• 3. Letting the light in. This is a general rule for any home that will be put under the microscope by potential buyers, but is even more applicable for small homes. Open all blinds & curtains, and turn on lights throughout the house if you know the real estate agents will be showing the home that day.
   
• 4. Keeping the walls light. Dark-colored walls make a room appear even smaller than it is. You may want to consider sprucing up your walls with a fresh coat of paint anyway, so stick to a light color. To create the effect of more light, paint the ceiling a color lighter than the walls.
   
• 5. Pay attention to your furniture. If you have a lot of furniture, put some of it in storage. Then, think about the layout & focal point of the room & decide whether you're trying to accentuate roominess or coziness. If you're going for spaciousness, keep the large pieces against the wall. Furniture color should be similar to the wall & floor color. Too much will look cluttered & will subtract from the spacious feeling you're trying to achieve. If you're striving for a cozy feel, select dark pieces, whether it's fabric or wood. Go for big patterns on one or two pieces, placed away from the wall.
   
• 6. Mirrors. Strategically placed mirrors can help make a room appear larger.
   
• 7. Tall lines. Try to choose accessories that are long and narrow. Long, thin lamps & plants can help you achieve a sense of height versus accessories that take of a lot of horizontal space.
   
• 8. Accentuate you back yard. If you have a decent patio area, present this space as an extension of the limited living space. Display a nice patio table with a patio covering or umbrella, spruce up your landscape, & brighten up the area with some containers filled with colorful annuals. An inviting backyard will stand out as a plus for many home shoppers, particularly in warm-weather states.
   
• 9. Let common sense prevail. Look at the house with fresh eyes and from the perspective of someone who has never seen the house before. With so many first time home buyers out there, your biggest job will be making sure your home looks better than others in the same price range.

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