Take the time to do a few simple repairs beforehand, and your home will be a magnet for buyers.
In a down market, selling your home can be challenging, to say the least. You are competing against tons of other listings; some maybe even just down your street. Don’t let the numbers get you down. You can sell your house. The key is knowing the quick and inexpensive fixes that will give your home an edge over the rest. These include improving curb appeal, repainting, decluttering, sprucing up the kitchen, and refinishing the floors.
The first thing buyers see in your house is from the outside. If you don’t immediately create a good impression, most buyers won’t even like seeing it from the inside. Since it’s often hard to be objective about your own home, have a friend survey the appearance of your front yard from the street. Ask them to write down any glitches or dig up that they see. These can include things like stubborn plants, shrubs, or trees. Your friend might also notice cracked or peeling paint. Do all you can to repair and fix what would distract buyers from the beauty of your space. And don’t forget the front door!
Make sure your door is clean and welcoming. If necessary, get a new one. If you don’t need a new one or can’t afford it, try bleaching it and putting on some shiny new door hardware.
Next, move inside and take a look at the walls. A fresh coat of paint in all the main rooms will do wonders for your home. Of course, make sure to choose very neutral colors, something in the range of white, beige or very light brown. Bold, colorful paint schemes can be fun, but they tend to scare off more buyers than they attract.
Another important consideration is cleaning up or getting rid of clutter in your home. Buyers need to be able to imagine the house as their own, and that’s very hard to do if your stuff is all over the place. Try to remove all personal items from counters, tables, and shelves. For each piece, ask yourself if you have used it in the last year, if you really need it or want it. If so, save it to pick up at your next place. If not, throw it away or consider donating it to a charity. You should also remove most of your own family photos and any other artwork that really takes away from the universality of the decor.
The kitchen is usually the focal point of the house because a lot of time is spent there. After painting the walls, decide if the cabinets need any work. An easy way to give your kitchen an updated look is to replace the cabinet hardware. If you have the resources, you may want to consider getting completely new cabinets or getting new countertops (possibly granite).
One last important piece of advice is to take the right steps to renew the appearance of your floors. If you have a rug, steam clean it. This will reduce pet odors and also remove old stains. If you have hardwood, consider sanding it down and resealing it.
These few steps may be simple, but they can make a world of difference in your home sales presentation.