These easy fixes will prepare your home for the market and yield big returns.
1. Half-empty closets. Storage space is something every buyer is looking for and can never have enough of. Take out half of the items in your closet and then neatly organize what’s left. Buyers will look around, so be sure to keep all your closets and cabinets clean and tidy. This quick trick will make closets and storage appear larger.
2. Maximize the light in your home. After location, good light is the one thing that every buyer cites that they want in a home. Take down the drapes, clean the windows, change the lamp shades, increase the wattage of your light bulbs and cut the bushes outside to let in sunshine. Do what you have to do make your house bright and cheery – it will make it more sellable.
3. Choose sophisticated neutral colors. A fresh coat of paint is a great way to make sure your house looks fresh and put together. Now is not the time to experiment with any new trendy colors. Whites or rich mid-tone neutrals provide a blank canvas so that prospective buyers can imagine their own décor in place. You don’t want to distract buyers with your own personal style. The same goes for bedding in the master bedroom. You can’t go wrong with clean, crisp, gender-neutral linens and tasteful artwork.
4. De-home your home. One of the most important things to do when selling your house is to de-personalize it. The more personal belongings in your house, the less buyers can imagine themselves living there. Put a third of your things in storage. This includes family photos, memorabilia collections, and personal keepsakes. A home stager can help you arrange your furniture to best showcase the floor plan and maximize the use of space. The more the home looks like a model home the better the appeal will be for the buyer.
5. Kitchen upgrades. Kitchens are a vital part of everyday life and can be the tipping point to make your home completely irresistible to buyers. The benefits of remodeling your kitchen are endless. Additionally, you can expect to get about 85% your money back. While replacing dated countertops may cost you a few thousand dollars, a buyer could knock $10,000 off the asking price if your kitchen is not up to par. If you just need a little sprucing up, the fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and updating the cabinet hardware. Also, buyers love updated kitchens with granite, nice backsplash and stainless steel appliances. If you have some extra money to spend, invest in a fancy stainless steel appliance. Even just one in the kitchen will update the entire room.
6. Don’t over upgrade. While quick fixes like painting and hardware replacement always pay off, huge makeovers are rarely worth it. It is improbable that you will get all of your money back in a huge improvement project. According to an article in Realtor Magazine, some renovations such as adding a bathroom or replacing shingles on a roof are not worth the investment. The average amount recouped for a bathroom remodel is only about 58%. If you are going to do some remodeling, be sure to do your research and put your money into something that is likely to give you the best return.
7. First Impressions are key. No matter how fabulous the interior of your home looks, buyers judge a home based on its curb appeal before they ever even walk through the door. It’s important to make people feel welcome and safe as they approach the house. Spruce up your home’s exterior with inexpensive shrubs and brightly colored flowers. Power wash siding and walkways. Make sure your welcome mat is clean. Mow the law and add fresh sod if it’s needed. You can typically get a 100% return on the money you put into your home’s curb appeal. Entryways are also vital in welcoming buyers. Clean up your entryway by hiding keys and coats and replacing them with a vase of fresh flowers or even some cookies.
8. Make your home sparkle. This is the easiest and cheapest way to instantly make your home more attractive to buyers. If necessary, hire professionals to take care of some of the more difficult tasks. This step is crucial so it’s important that you don’t skimp here. Steam rugs and be extra vigilant about vacuuming—especially if you have pets. Pet odors can be a serious deterrent for buyers.
9.Create a lifestyle people are looking for. You want to play up every aspect of your house. Even if your back porch is tiny, play it up with a cute table and chairs, a cheerful tablecloth and a vase of flowers. Rather than noticing how miniature the porch might be, buyers will leave thinking what a charming place it would be to eat breakfast. Also, don’t forget to think seasonally. If it’s summer, be sure your pool is clean and the backyard looks pool-party-ready. In winter, have the fireplace burning to create a cozy, intimate effect. Whatever special amenities your home has to offer, make sure you play them up fully so that buyers can immediately envision what their lives could be like if they were to move in.
