6 Effective Things to Do Before Selling your House

If you are a homeowner and interested in doing as little as possible while having the biggest impact on the sale-ability of your home, try these simple and effective things. These tactics are easy on the budget and can make a huge impact on buyers as they tour your home.

1. DECLUTTER:

Let’s face it. We have too much stuff. And, when it comes time to sell your home, it has never been more obvious. If you have inherited mom’s sofa or you’ve been hanging on to baby toys, just in case, then it’s time for  spring cleaning.

Walk into each room with a fresh view. See what furniture is making the room look smaller. All you really need is a bed, night-stand, and one  dresser. All the rest can be loaded into the garage. 

Look at what pieces of furniture block walkways, hallways, and doorways. If your buyers are dodging furniture and play toys, then it’s time for a major clean up. This is also an opportune time to simplify your life by selling or donating those baby toys and other “just-in-case” items that you haven’t used in years.  

2. REFRESH PAINT:
   A fresh coat of paint on baseboards and walls can  make a place feel fresh. Be sure to use soft trending colors like Sea Salt and Ibis White for baseboards to give buyers the feeling that they can  relax, reflect, and recharge in what might be their future home.
   Instead of tearing out old tired cabinets, try giving them a facelift with paint.
   You can use great paint kits like Rust-o-leum Cabinets Transformations. It’s inexpensive and easy to apply. 

   
   

   
   

3. IMPROVE DOORS & FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
   The  first thing a prospective buyer will do is walk up your drive/walkway and look around. Their first impressions are already formed before they take they step inside. To make the best first impression possible, pressure wash the front porch, repaint the front door, add a few flowers for color, and display a  Welcome Mat. 

4. CLEAN OR REPLACE CARPET:

Pet odors, spills, dirt, and grime are big turn offs for buyers. If you don’t have the budget to replace the carpet, then  clean the carpet in the main traffic areas. Ask your Realtor to help price your home effectively to compensate for the old carpet. Remember, if two identical properties are available at the same price and one needs the carpet torn out, it’s a good chance they will choose the one with newer carpet.

• REMODEL BATHROOMS OR GIVE THEM A FACELIFT:  When you tour a home and your host has left every toiletry on the counter, don’t you feel like you have intruded on their space? Well, your buyer feels that way, too. If your bathroom is looking tired and ready for a facelift, there are some quick ways you can improve the space.
  a) Replace the flooring. Tile or Laminate works best. Here are some great examples of simple flooring options:

• Replace the faucets. For as little as $35 you can purchase new bathroom faucets and install in a weekend. Water build-up can leave ugly calcium deposits that diminish the look of your bathroom.

• Paint the cabinets. Bathrooms have lots of opportunities for water damage to cabinets. Adding a  coat of paint and replacing the hardware can give a bathroom an easy facelift.

• Surface Refinishing the Tub/Shower. Whether your home is 10 years or 30- years old, tubs have a way of looking tired and scratched. If your home was built in the 196’s and has a golden tub, not to worry. For less than $500 in most areas, you can refinish your tub in a few short days.

        6. TRANSFORM OR CLEAN THE KITCHEN:

The heart of every home is the kitchen. With a few inexpensive changes, you can spruce up your kitchen to feel fresh and new.

1. Resurface the counters. Why not add a butcher block, quartz or granite countertop to replace that old tile? Most kitchens can be done for under $3,000 and the impact is amazing.

2. Paint the cabinets. Try paint kits or ask a local painter to spray white or espresso on the cabinets. 

3. Add fun hardware. A little sparkle or fresh drawer pull can make a  statement.  

Buyers all want the same things: new, fresh, and modern  homes for their families that require little or no immediate maintenance. If you are selling a home that requires remodeling, new carpet, fresh coats of paint, then it is likely you will be leaving value on the table when it comes time to sell. Be sure to put on your very best before putting your home on the market.

For more information about best practices when preparing your home, please reach out to Liz Jones, Jones Realty Group at Keller Williams, at liz@jonesrealtysocal.com.