8 Quick fixes to spruce up a house for sale
Make the Exterior of your Home attractive to potential Buyers
1 No doubt, curb appeal counts. Clean, Power wash, Paint and do whatever it takes to make a strong first impression and make prospective buyers want to see beyond your front door. Clean up the front and backyards and plant new flowers to add color whenever possible. Clean the front entry area and remove any chipped paint from around and above the door. This means cleaning the door itself including the hardware and polishing the house number. Add a flower pot or antique bench to your entryway to add a visual clue for potential buyers to remember your house from the next one.
2. Painting is everything. A fresh coat of paint to select areas of the house is an inexpensive and easy item to tackle on the to-do list. Get rid of the maroon accent wall that looked great with your furniture but will be an eyesore when the seller’s furniture is gone. Stick to calming and welcoming neutral colors that will draw a buyer in and will coordinate with most any furnishings.
3. Caulking is easy. A potential buyer hates to see old and dirty caulking in the shower since it might be a sign of mold and other problems lurking behind the shower walls. A tube of caulk is less than $5 at most home centers and a clean coat of caulk in the right areas will do wonders to add sparkle to what may have been a dingy shower.
4. Clutter be gone. This one always amazes me. We are all busy and counters are a great area to accumulate “stuff” from our hectic lives. When you are trying to sell your home however get rid of the clutter on the kitchen and bathroom counters to start. Follow that by removing most of your personal photos and any unnecessary furnishings. Buyers want to see themselves living in your home and this is hard to do and it makes a home appear smaller when your things are cluttering and taking over the home.
5. Upgrade the Kitchen and Bathroom. These are the make or break rooms for any home and this is especially true in this tough home sales market. Depending on your budget there are multiple things a homeowner can do to make high impact improvements to the Kitchen and the Bath. Upgrade the drawer pulls as a start and continue with the faucets if the budget allows it. Tiling a backsplash or a bathroom vanity area is an inexpensive and effective means to add an impressive design upgrade to the kitchen or bathroom area.
6. Fix stains and remove odors. Have the carpets or tile cleaned if it has been awhile since you last did this. If there are stains caused by water damage then don’t try to cover them, take the time to make the necessary repairs since most home inspectors will find the problem. Smoke or Pet odors turn off buyers instantly and are normally grounds to ask for a drastically lower price on a property if a buyer remains interested at all. Perform the work necessary to remove smoke or pet odors before placing a home on the market.
7. Update any old or outdated window treatments. Buyers want light and views, not dated, fancy drapes that darken. To reduce light and add privacy, consider energy efficient shades and blinds.
8. Hire a home inspector. Be proactive to eliminate any potential problems once under contract. Hire a home inspector to identify and fix any problems before you list the home and keep all receipts to prove that the work has been done. Home owners will feel safe and comfortable to buy a home from such responsible homeowners whose goal is to turn over a turn-key and maintenance free (at least in the beginning) home.
