Tips on Selling Your Home: Small Improvements = Big Rewards
It’s always a good idea to spruce up the exterior and interior of your home before listing it for sale. But that doesn’t mean you need to tackle a major and/or expensive project.
These are typically things that were put-off, and often needed to be done anyways. Remember, something as simple as fixing cracked plaster or damaged drywall can make a huge difference, as a surface scratch to you might look like major structure problems to a buyer, putting them off to your competition.
Did you know a little effort can considerably increase the perceived value of your home? After all, if you wanted to undertake a large-scale renovation, you most likely wouldn’t be selling!
Here are some simple steps you can easily do to increase the perceived value of your house and make a fabulous first impression, potentially selling your home faster, better and possibly for more money...
Home Selling Checklist:
Outdoor/Exterior Appearance
Curb Appeal
Keep lawns trim
Prune shrubs and hedges
Edge and weed gardens
Keep driveway clear of debris/snow and treat oil spills
Power wash any necessary areas
Clear the garage contents (purge)
Touch up paint
Plant bright, inexpensive flowers in planters where necessary
Front Door Formula
Sweep and clean both porch and foyer
Ensure working doorbell
Fix any broken screens
Freshly varnish or paint front door
Repair key access and door locks
Indoor/Interior Appearance: Atmosphere
Entice a Buying Ambiance (at the open house/viewings)
Ensure your house smells absolutely fresh and clean
Turn on the lights to increase your home's brightness
Perfect the Temperature: Turn on air conditioner/heater
Draw back the drapes (open)
Have the fireplace going (where applicable)
Create the Illusion of Space
Clear stairs and halls of all clutter
Store excess furniture offsite
Clear stove top and kitchen counter areas (it's supposed to look sparse)
Pack away personal photos such that buyers can envision the home as theirs
Purge closets of unnecessary clothing and stuff, if it's jam packed buyers will assume there's too little storage
Remove and recycle empty boxes and containers
General Maintenance
Repair leaking toilets and taps
Replace or clean furnace and filters
Secure and tighten door latches and knobs
Fix cracked plaster or damaged drywall
Apply a fresh coat of paint and touch ups where applicable
