Dear TZ - How can I prepare my home to sell?

Dear TZ,

I'm planning on putting my home on the market this summer - what kinds of things can I do to help it sell better? 

Thanks,

Handy Harry

Dear Harry,

That's a loaded question.  It really depends on the overal condition of your home and how much you have available to make repairs.  

At a bare minimum you'll want to declutter the entire house, inside and out.  Make sure your yard is well kept.  Cut the grass, trim the hedges, edge your sidewalks.  All easy to do and inexpensive. 

You'll want to make any repairs that are glaring, leaky faucets, replace light bulbs, fix any broken windows.  Once you've decluttered the house, you'll want to paint it all in neutral colors, have the carpets cleaned and wash down all tile and hardwood floors.  You may even want to have the hardwood floors sanded and refinished to really give the home a nice touch.

My opinion is that you don't want to make any major repairs, like redoing a bathroom or kitchen, you won't make your money back in the sale and your style choices may not appeal to the buyers.  If you feel your old knotty pine kitchen cabinets are bringing down the value o the home, sand them down and refinish or paint them.  Add new hardware (hinges, knobs and handles) to spruce it up.  

Avoid knocking down walls as well.  Replacing the front door is a good idea.  If you can afford it, putting in insulated windows will be a major selling point.  

By doing some cleaning and sprucing up, you'll be able to get your home ready yourself without spending a lot of money in the process.  Of course, your REALTOR(R) will be able to offer you more detailed suggestions.

All the best to you!

- TZ

Please note that all information is reliable but not guaranteed.  Please consult with your Real Estate professional before making any Real Estate decisions.