Some things you can control....
Everyone is concerned about the value of their home; but with the current economic situation, what can you really do about it? The answer is plenty.
There are many low-cost maintenance items that you may overlook or put off that will add real value when you do decide to sell. The added bonus is more enjoyment out of your home when it looks and functions better.
I am going to help you make a "punch-list" of things to be done along with Spring cleaning. So get your pad and pencil and take a walk through your home,
Start in any room you wish:
Switch plates. Are they cracked, missing screws, dirty, covered with many layers of paint or old wallpaper? They can be very inexpensive to replace and can give the entire room a facelift.
Doorknobs and locks. Do they function smoothly or do they wobble, stick and look like they belong on a haunted house? Another inexpensive fix, especially if all they need is a bit of graphite (available at any hardware store), some tightening with a screw driver and a good cleaning.
Sliding doors on closets, patios and any other area. Do they stick; are they off the track? Do you have to fight with them every time you open them? Isn't it about time they were repaired or replaced? If we are talking patio doors, the time may be right to replace them with the new energy saving models. You will lower your utility bills dramatically - and right now both material and installation costs are way down. While I'm on the subject, take a good look at the windows. Is it time to repair or even replace them? This is one of the best investments you can make for your home. You will benefit from lowered energy bills while you live there, and it is a big advantage over the competition when you sell your home.
In that same line of thinking, assess your exterior doors. If you are going to replace the doorknobs, you should at least paint the door; and if you are going to put that much into them, perhaps it is time to get new doors and/or storm doors as well. What is the first thing people see when they come into your home?
Now let's take a look at the kitchen and bathrooms. Is it time to replace the caulk? There are two things to consider here, the caulk itself and the water damage that may be happening if the water from your shower is getting behind the tub enclosure and damaging the wallboard. Caulk is cheap (ha, ha), replacing the bathroom wall is not. And let's not give mold a foothold anywhere in your home.
How does the hardware on the sink and tub look? Could it use a good scrubbing? Is there residue at the base of the faucets? There is a great product called CLR that will take soap scum, rust and calcium buildup off your fixtures almost instantly.
Next on the list: de-clutter. I can't say enough about this - if you can do this just once a year you will add $$ value to your home and comfort and convenience to your life. I have shown homes that were stunningly decorated with a budget of thousands of dollars per room. I would have liked to tell the owner, "Remove 75% of the décor in this and every other room!" Please consider packing away some of the treasures that you have on display in your home and rotating them seasonally. This will give your home a fresh yet uncluttered look and will simplify your housekeeping. Not only that, if you are planning on making a move in the future, you will be partially packed!
Last but not least, the exterior. Don't let the paint or stain deteriorate and keep the roof and gutters in good repair. If your home is sided, replace missing corner pieces or damaged panels immediately while you can still match the color. If the home is sided with aluminum, consider getting it painted. Do these things now so that you will be able to enjoy them, not two weeks before you are considering putting your home on the market, when you have a million other things to take care of. Another do-it-now - the deck. According to the Cost vs. Value report, putting on a new wood deck will net you one of the best returns for your dollar of any addition you can make to your home.
And don't forget the landscaping. If you have bushes, trees and ground cover that are closer than 18 inches to your foundation, remove them now. If you are noticing dampness and seepage in your basement this is one of the leading causes. Re-grade around your foundation and replant with a better landscape design. Many garden retailers will do a free landscape design plan for you.
All of these things will add thousands of dollars to the value of your home - or take it away if they are not maintained properly. Buyers will overlook dated décor if the home shows pride of ownership in its care and maintenance. Clean and in good repair will win over new carpet and a quick fix paint job every time.
If you have any questions regarding the value of your home on today's market, don't hesitate to call me. I will be happy to give you a full market analysis absolutely free, even if you aren't planning on selling in the near future.
I have been serving west suburuban Cuyahoga and northeastern Lorain counties since 1976. I keep my clients up-to-date on trends in the market so they can make informed decisions on the most important purchase or sale of their lifetime. I had the honor of being named Realtor of the Year of 2008 of the Cleveland Area Board of Realtors. Please visit my website at CarolWoodard.com.
Comments(2)