Here's the conclusion of the article from yesterday with more tips to help you sell your home quicker and for more money...
- Get the house inspected before it’s listed to know its condition and identify any structural issues that could derail sales. Many problems can’t be detected by an untrained eye, including those in a basement, crawl space, or attic, says BillJacques, president-elect of the American Society of Home Inspectors. “There might be roof damage or a plumbing leak. Many inspectors take photos and provide a detailed report,” he says. “And if home owners have repairs made, they should be handled by a qualified licensed contractor, so the home owner can get problems corrected.”
- Outfit closets for extra storage to make rooms look larger and less cluttered.Top contenders for redos are an entry closet for a good first impression, kitchen pantries where storage is key, and a linen closet to keep sheets, towels, and other stuff neat.
- Tighten a home’s “envelope” to improve energy efficiency and savings. Put money and effort into well-insulated double-paned windows, sealed furnace ducts, energy-efficient appliances, the newest programmable thermostats, LED and compact fluorescent lights, and a smart irrigation box on a sprinkler to cut water usage. If you've already done this, you can show buyers how costs have dropped. Also should put together a "green" manual to show which features have been added.
- Improve a home’s healthfulness by using paints and adhesives with low or no VOCs. Point out these changes to prospective buyers in another list or manual.
- Use what you have, and arrange each room in a conversational way if possible. Don’t set all furnishings in a family room so they face a TV, since most potential buyers like the idea of an open-room milieu for socializing.
- Remove and replaced faded draperies, fabrics, and rugs, or leave windows and floors bare to avoid showing lack of attention. Slipcovers, which can cover worn furniture can also provide an affordable decorative feature, changed for each season.
- Replace old, dated, or worn bedding. Before any showing, fluff up pillows and covers, and make all beds neatly.
- Toss out old magazines. You don’t want a People magazine from a year ago; it looks like nobody lives in the house or cares.
- Check smells regularly. Besides getting rid of bad odors from pets and mildew, introduce nice fresh fragrances, but don’t go heavy on scents from candles. A light lavender or citrus spray is smart and inoffensive. Open windows before showings to bring in fresh air.
- Make rooms lighter and larger for showings with good lighting. If it has minimal windows, make sure you maximize on the lighting.
- Go with plants rather than flowers indoors since they last longer, but either choice can add vivacity to a room.
- Pay attention to your bathrooms. Specifically, make sure you have freshly laundered towels, new soap in soap dishes, spotless mirrors, and no mildew in view.
- Be sure your house is priced competitively with the current market and homes in your area. In most regions, it’s still the No. 1 “fix” to sell quickly. Go a bit under the market price, and you may even bring forth multiple offers that are higher than expected.