Spring is Upon Us! We found this article of interest this month and hope you find it useful too. We are happy to advise on property prep and do so often!
6 MUST-DO HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS TO TACKLE BEFORE SELLING A HOUSE
Source, Realtor.com
1. Spruce up the grounds
This is one of the easiest—and cheapest—tricks in the book: Good landscaping can add up to 28% to overall home value.
Hire a landscaper to give your front yard the once-over, or just clean up the details yourself (e.g., edge the lawn, plant flowers), and update the outdoor furniture on the front porch to give the space a fresh, “buy me now” appeal.
2. Love the hardwood
Right now, carpeting isn’t just an aesthetic choice—it’s a choice that can actively turn away buyers who can’t see beyond it. Instead of noticing what a wonderful, light-filled living room you have, they can think only about just how much money it will cost to get rid of that nasty old carpet. Do it yourself and save them the trouble. What you have underneath might be far more presentable, with a bit of cleaning and refurbishing. If it isn’t, a new floor is a worthwhile investment.
Decided to keep your carpet? At the very least, make sure to clean it thoroughly before buyers come trekking through your home.
3. Fix windows and doors
So you’re selling an older home, complete with creaking windows and doors that don’t open and close easily after years of use. Maybe you’re hoping buyers will overlook the problems in favor of “charm.” Think again.
You’d be surprised how many people list their property thinking no one will notice that the windows and doors are not opening and closing because they look pretty. When the showings start, believe me, potential buyers are going to open and close windows and doors and learn that something is awry.
4. Paint (and wash!) walls
If any of your rooms are doused in a dark shade, such as eggplant or emerald, cover it up with a coat of light or neutral paint. Buyers find it easier to picture themselves living in a home with neutral walls—plus, they’ll make your home seem larger, cleaner, and far more appealing.
If you still can’t bring yourself to paint over the hues you’ve so carefully selected, consider this: After living in a home for a few years you may become a bit blind to how your walls are showing to newcomers.
Peeling paint, fingerprints, and dings seem to go unnoticed in a lived-in home. Fresh paint on the walls in a neutral color is always best, but if your budget does not permit that, washing the walls and doors goes a long way.
5. Clean the cabinets
If you’ve never sold a house before, you might be surprised by how bold buyers are. Digging through your drawers? Peeking inside your cabinets? How dare they! But buyers are expected to be little investigators—so be prepared before they start sleuthing.
Buyers should be able to see how much storage is available rather than the clutter you might have there. Also, check for any loose drawers, hardware, or shelving so buyers don’t wonder what else might be amiss.
6. Update the lighting
Before putting your home on the market, bring in a second set of eyes to look over your lighting. Is it dated? Does it serve the space poorly?
Finding relatively inexpensive light fixtures can make a big impact and be well worth the investment. Check out your favorite home improvement store for cheap, modern lighting that can make your home go from old news to new and stylish in no time.
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