This is going to be probably the most pleasant experience for a home seller in the last four or five years, So to help property owners get the best selling price they can–without burying themselves in expenses.
1. Retouch the front shell: If your property’s exterior isn’t appealing, no one will want to see your newly remodeled kitchen. So property sellers must first ensure that their home projects a cozy, inviting feeling. “The shell–the outside front–is probably the most important area for improvement, the area where you can make the biggest improvement with the smallest amount of cash.”
2. Trim the greenery: Ensuring that the lawn, hedges, and flowers are well maintained helps make your home more alluring to prospective buyers as well. Property owners can hire professional landscapers or break out the lawn mower and get busy themselves.
3. Paint the interior: Putting a fresh coat of paint on the home’s interior is a cost-effective way for sellers to make their home more appealing to buyers. Homeowners are best off using neutral colors.
4. Don’t forget the floors: Improving the condition of a home’s flooring is also a smart move for sellers–and you don’t need to refinish wood floors or install new carpets to make them more attractive. “If it’s a hardwood [floor], has the floor been buffed?” “If you have carpets, have the carpets been cleaned?”"If you have carpets, have the carpets been cleaned?”
5. Make all major repairs: Because tighter lending standards demand higher down payments, today’s home buyers won’t have much cash left over for improvements once they’ve made their purchase. So it’s imperative for sellers to make all major home repairs–fixing the leaky roof, rebuilding the front stoop–before they put the property on the market. “Repairs can’t be ignored, because nobody has any extra money.”
6. Put appliances under warranty: To give buyers more confidence in a home’s appliances sellers should put them under warranty. Sellers can buy home warranties–which cover repair and replacement costs for many home appliances–from several different firms.
8. New light fixtures: Replacing old or broken light fixtures with new ones can also be a low-cost way to add value. Installing a nice new light fixture in the foyer near the home’s entrance can be a particular benefit because it can make a strong first impression on would-be buyers.
9. New stove in the kitchen: While some homeowners might think the only way to jazz up a dated kitchen is a full-on remodeling job. A much less costly alternative: buying a new stove. “If there is an updated stove in the kitchen, it is amazing how that draws people in. Property owners in neighborhoods where most homes have granite countertops can consider making this upgrade as well. The project makes sense only for homeowners with extremely dated kitchens that are going to serve as a serious impediment to finding a buyer. A real estate agent withexperience in the local market can help you determine whether or not the upgrade is essential.
10. Freshen up the bathrooms: Getting rid of mildew stains on the bathroom caulking can boost a home’s appeal as well. Such stains “scream, ‘These people haven’t taken care of this house. It’s going to be a money pit.” Use a razor blade to remove the old caulk, and replace it with new, mildew-resistant caulk. And rather than remodeling the entire space, homeowners can reinvigorate a worn-down bathroom by replacing cracked sinks.
