We can't always tell you exactly what will get your home to sell sooner than
later but we can share with you things that definitely help...
No cost ideas to increase salability...
Create a spacious feeling by putting things away,
boxing items you don't need and placing them in storage. If you have a
lot of little knick-knacks on shelves put them away. Clear away the
clutter.
Be ruthless about odors. Any kind of
odors, pet related, urine, onions, garlic, etc. When potential buyers
walk through they should be greeted with the fresh clean smell, baking
bread, or cookies.
Draw attention to the positive and away from the
negative. Place a vase with a flower such that you are drawn
to the light or the outside view of the wonderful back yard.
Have a garage sale before you list your
home to make the best of removing clutter. Take the proceeds and buy a
can a paint to spruce up the fence, bathroom, etc.
Stimulate the buyer's imagination by
setting the table with your best china, place a couple of wine glasses and a
vase with flowers or plant near a nook or sitting area. Create scenes
throughout your home so that buyers can imagine themselves in each room.
Clear counter space. Remove all
clutter from kitchen counters.
Avoid decor that is unique. Try to
de-personalize your teenager's room, game room, and other areas if there are
possibly decorative items that may offend. Remove items that may
not appeal to all, such as hanging beads, jars with bugs that your kids have
been keeping, etc.
Increase the light in small rooms and
closets by switching out light bulbs with higher wattages.
Place family photos throughout... some
sellers would prefer to put their own family photos away and instead use
pictures that came with the frame or find generic ones in magazines or on
line.
Curb Side Appeal is very important.
When the buyers approaches your home will they cringe or will the smile?
Clean up the front of your home and walk way. Place cute inexpensive
items that will warm the area, such as a watering can next to a plant, a
welcome sign that is warm and friendly, remove signs regarding trespassing
and no soliciting (definitely not welcoming).
Some $$$ involved...
Paint... walk through your home
and try to look at it from a perspective buyer's point of view. Are the
walls in good shape? Are the colors warm and inviting or bright and
offensive? Is the pallet dated? If so, you may want to choose
all the walls or the ones that need it the most and paint them.
Flooring... again walk through your
home and determine if the carpet or flooring needs to be changed.
Maybe only specific areas such as high traffic areas need to be changed.
If it was carpeted you may want to consider putting wood or wood laminate
products in high traffic areas.
Lots of $$$ involved... and should you spend it?
Kitchen... upgrades. Depending
on what you are thinking and the current condition will help determine if
you should consider this. Appliances can sometimes be a
great investment if the rest of your kitchen is in relatively good shape and
not too dated. However, remember that when you do these costly
renovations you are taking a gamble on getting 100% of the value out in
the sale of your home. Sometimes, it will help get it sold but not
necessarily increase its value by what you spent.
Bathrooms.... This is another area
that you may want to consider renovating. Depending on what you want
to do it could cost a lot or not too much. If your tub is in good
shape and the wall tiles aren't too dated leave it alone. If the sink
and counter is dated buy a new vanity with sink and cabinets or drawers for
storage. Is your toilet stained or stinky... consider just changing
this out. Everyone loves a new toilet.
Other renovations... be careful.
Kitchens and Bathrooms bring the best return on your investment. Other
renovations may or may not. Talk to us before starting any major
renovations so we can discuss the market and where you fit in it and what
the current CMA will value your home at with out the renovations.
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