While on a listing appointment recently, I did what any good agent does and began making a few small suggestions regarding ways to increase the likelihood of the sale of the home. However, what came next surprised me to say the least. The home owner had no idea that some of these small suggestions would make such a difference in the sale of their home. I explained how these could help, and they in turn agreed to make the changes. My clients then said that maybe a list of sorts should be created, which I thought was a great idea. So, without further delay, here is a list of the top five easiest ways (in my opinion) to fix up your home before you put it on the market. And all suggestions are cost effective (read: cheap).
1. Paint, paint, paint! It is simple, relatively inexpensive, and makes probably the greatest difference when it comes to the appearance of your home. A fresh coat of paint for the rooms of your home is akin to putting on the nice new outfit you purchased and hitting the town. The difference new paint can make is simply astounding.
2. Check the floors... Old frayed carpets are not only an eye sore, but can actually be dangerous for people walking by, especially if the frayed carpet is on the stairs. Take some scissors and cut loose frayed edges, and spend the money for a good carpet steam. Like painting, a nice fresh carpet stands out and says you care about your home. This can in turn lead to a greater chance of getting the price you want out of the sale. And in the most extreme cases, you may need to replace the carpet all together. But this too can typically be done relatively cheaply.
3. Clean it up! Take a day or two and do a very thorough spring cleaning, even if it is not spring. And make sure to empty trash cans, clean up toothpaste in the bathroom, clean out the sink, etc.
4. Window wash... Often overlooked by the owner, but never missed by the potential buyer, wash those windows so most of the winter grime is off and a customer can see out into that great backyard of yours. Trust me on this one, if the buyer cannot see out to the yard, they will be seeing themselves right out of your house.
5. Remove clutter! I know those pictures on the mantel of your kids and grandparents mean a lot to the members of your family, they do not however, mean a thing to a potential buyer; other than looking like the ever dreaded "clutter"! Some pictures and things around the house are fine for staging purposes, but too much "stuff" is well, too much. Make sure hallways, walkways, and general areas are free from items that may cause the potential buyer to have to navigate around or over, so movement from one room to another is virtually seamless.
Making these small changes to an already well put together home might be the difference between selling and not selling, and getting the most money for your home. Obviously, there may be more you need to do, such as landscaping, or major renovations. But, with all else being equal, these small changes can really make the difference. Good luck!
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