Selling? Spruce Up Your Home For A Quick Sale

When selling your home, you must convince buyers that your property is the best choice among all the other listed properties, and offers top value for the dollars spent.  Here are some fast fixes that you can do to make your home more appealing, sell faster, and for the best possible price.

Buff up curb appeal

It's critical to get buyers to want to view on the inside of your home. View your home from the street. Check the condition of the landscaping, paint, roof, shutters, front door, knocker, windows, house number, and even how window treatments look from the outside. Add something special—such as big flower pots or an antique bench — to help viewers remember your house as something special.

Enrich with color

Painting is a very economical way to spruce up your space.  Don't paint your space white, but use colors that are neutral enough that buyers can easily picture their furnishings in the room.  Use soft colors and flatter finishes.  Stay away from bright colors like pinks, oranges, and purples. Use paint colors to lead the eye from room to room. Tint ceilings a lighter shade.

Upgrade the kitchen and bathrooms

Kitchens and baths are the make-or-break rooms.  They must be squeaky clean, clutter free, and impeccably maintained.  Look at the pulls, sinks, and faucets and update them if they look old and tired.  Any old appliances should be replaced with new ones with the latest convenience features. 

Add architectural details

Install crown molding at least six to nine inches in depth, proportional to the room’s size, and architecturally compatible. For ceilings nine feet high or higher, add dentil detailing, small tooth-shaped blocks used as a repeating ornament. Buyers will immediately be drawn to the details and charmed with their character.  The details will set your home apart.

Screen hardwood floors

Buyers favor wood over carpet, but refinishing is costly and time-consuming. Screening cuts dust, time, and expense. What it entails is a light sanding, not a full stripping of color or polyurethane, then a coat of finish.  Your floors will look newer and maintenance free.

Clean out and organize closets

Remove everything from your closets that you are not going to need or wear in the next few months Closets must be only half-full so buyers can visualize fitting their stuff in.  Box up all things you do not need right now, label the boxes, and either store them neatly in your basement or rent a storage facility to store all un-needed items until you move to your new place.  When buyers perceive that there is not enough storage space, your home moves down on their list of prospects.

Remove extra furniture

Go through every room in your house and remove any furniture that makes a room feel small or crowded, or anything that is in the way of doors, closets, or traffic flow.  Buyers need to feel that their furniture will fit in the room.  Also remove unattractive furniture that does not add to the appeal of the room. Rearrange furniture to create a spacious feel, even if it is not the most comfortable living for you.  If you need help with this process, your agent or a home stager can be a very good resource.  Get rid of the extra furniture, sell it, or put it in storage until after the sale.

Update window treatments

Buyers want light and views.  Remove and replace any outdated dark and heavy draperies. To diffuse light and add privacy, consider energy-efficient shades and blinds.

Clean, Clean, Clean!

Can't say this enough about this.  Clean everything . . . wash walls and woodwork, windows, furniture, carpets . . . and polish up all fixtures.  Wash the exterior of your home, keep your yard well manicured, and your driveway and garage as clean as possible. Buyers buy clean houses!  There is no excuse for your house to not be clean, inside and out.

Of course, any major systems of your home that are not working properly or in need of repair should be repaired or replaced prior to marketing your home.  If you are not sure of the condition of any major element of your home such as the furnace, plumbing, roof, and electrical, have an inspector come and clean, service and inspect.  The cost to fix any major element items in need of repair is usually inflated in a buyer's mind, and they will deduct that inflated price from their perceived value of your home. 

Conscientiously preparing your home for marketing is a great investment of your time and money and will bring you a quicker sale at the best possible price.  Your agent is a great resource for helping you accomplish all these things and more.  Your agent will help you make a plan and connect you with competent professionals who can do the work that you can't do yourself.