Even with rising values and reduced inventory in certain markets, selling a home remains challenging. Buyers who like to watch home improvement shows expect not just a shiny new stainless sink but pruned hedges, freshly painted walls, glistening hardwood floors, and more. Prioritize based on the condition of what’s needed most when you get your home ready to put it on the market. Here’s a list of affordable, easy-to-make changes from top design and real-estate pros:
- Add power outlets with USB ports in rooms that lack them, especially in the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms where they’re most needed. Younger, more tech-savvy couples and individuals love them.
- Eliminate acoustic popcorn-style ceilings since they look dated.
- Remove exposed posts and half walls. Today’s buyers want more space, and partial walls and posts gobble up room. The only walls that should remain are those that offer privacy or conceal electrical wires or plumbing stacks.
- Update wiring for the Internet and flat-screen TVs. You don’t have to run CAT-5 through walls, which can be costly and require opening and closing and repainting walls. Instead, find a place to put a wireless router.
- Clean carpets and wood floors. This is a must since they’re often the first part of a room that buyers check out; you don’t need to replace them unless they’re in terrible shape. A good carpet steam cleaning or wood floor waxing can be relatively inexpensive, sometimes less than $200.
- Expand a small kitchen to make it work better and look larger. Two quick fixes: Change the backsplash by adding mirrors, stainless steel, or paint, which will introduce light and views; and add an island, which requires only 30” between counters and the island to pass through comfortably. If there’s not enough room for an island, bring in a rolling cart with pull-out shelves underneath and a wood top.
- Clear out and clean a garage. Power wash the floor or paint it if it’s in bad shape, remove dated cabinets, and remove all junk that’s been stored there, so prospects can see how much space they would have for their stuff.
- Change out corroded or dented door knobs and levers. The replacements don’t have to be expensive but they should look new and clean,
- Pay attention to landscaping, which can add 7 -15 % to a home’s value, according to Jessy Berg and Bonnie Gemmell of HabitatDesign.com. Focus on mowing grass, removing crab grass, and eliminating dead plants and tree branches. If you have extra funds, add lots of seasonal color through blooming annuals and perennial plants and remove problems like too much noise from traffic or neighbors by installing an inexpensive fountain with trickling water.
- Paint exterior windows, doors, gutters, downspouts, and trim, then go inside and paint the home’s trim, doorways, and walls that are in need of freshening. Don’t worry about the colors but consider those that veer toward quiet and comfort. Painting rooms lighter colors such as white, yellow, and beige help to bounce and reflect sunlight and use more natural and less artificial light.
- Remove outdated wallpaper, replacing it with paint and preferably a neutral color.
- Remove, store, or discard excessive accessories on tabletops and walls and in cabinets. Less is more, and you want the house to be seen by prospective buyers without the distraction of too many personal items.Some suggest following the rule of three: Leave out only three things on any surface.
Souce: Realtor Magazine
