Simple summer steps to sell your home
(ARA) - If you plan to put your home up for sale this summer, or if it has been on the market for some time, you might consider investing in a few key updates to improve your odds of attracting a buyer. Of course, you don't want to sink a load of cash into a place you aren't going to stay in, but focusing on a few influential fixes can drastically improve the home's overall appearance - and your chances of selling.
Freshen up
Potential buyers often look for obvious signs of neglect, such as leaky roofs, water damage or crumbling foundations. But even without these problems, making your home look like new again can be as simple as applying a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Cooking, smoking and everyday living can discolor and fade your ceilings and walls, making your home seem old and unattractive. It's amazing what a fresh coat of color can do to improve a home's appearance, and Pratt & Lambert Paints allows you to renew any room even faster with its self-priming Accolade paint. You want potential buyers to see your home as updated yet comfortable. A single coat of Accolade in a warm neutral like Soft Charmeuse or Havana Cream from Pratt & Lambert's 2011 Color Trends palette will give your home an open but inviting feel. And don't forget to touch up your white baseboards, trim and ceilings to make each room look its best.
Stay grounded
As much time as they spend looking up, potential buyers also spend time looking down. Flooring has a drastic effect on a home's selling power, and an outdated or poorly maintained floor can ruin a room's appeal. Old, dingy carpets can overshadow any other improvements you make and give the home an unkempt feel. If your home has hardwood floors, remove old carpeting and refinish the wood beneath it. This is a great selling feature you should invest in highlighting. If you do not have hardwood floors, update your old carpeting with a neutral shade. Replace any cracked or chipped ceramic tiles in kitchens and bathrooms, and thoroughly clean or replace the grout on all tiled surfaces as well.
Shower power
You may have heard that bathroom updates have some of the biggest returns when it comes time to sell a home, and it's true. According to CBS MoneyWatch.com, homeowners can expect to recover about 75 percent of minor bathroom remodel costs. So invest in a faucet, showerhead, cabinetry and a new light fixture to add to your "new" bathroom's appeal. Have a half-bath? Consider adding a shower to make it a full; this will make your home much more marketable.
Curb appeal
First impressions can have a huge impact on buyers' decisions, so make sure your home is as attractive from the street as possible. If your cement sidewalk or patio areas have cracks, patch them with a kit from your local hardware store. Resurface an asphalt driveway and make certain your garage doors and exterior are freshly painted. Remember, your front door is the first thing a buyer will see. Consider repainting it a bold color that invites them in, and don't overlook replacing your doorknob if it is in poor shape. Summer means color, and adding bright flowers to your front entry or garden will make any visitors feel welcome.
With a few updates around your home, you can greatly increase its perceived value and appeal to buyers. Put some time and resources into these key areas and you'll soon reap the benefits of your investment.
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