When you own a home it seems that you are in a constant state of home
improvement (My favorite!!).
Research has shown that your home will sell faster and for
a higher price
if you do just a few simple things to make it stand out...
1. Clean and De-clutter. If you don’t do anything
else you MUST do this. It is very difficult for buyers to see themselves
living in the home if they can’t see the floor or the walls because
there is stuff everywhere. Cleaning seems obvious but I mean a true deep
clean inside cabinets, bathrooms, and closets. Purge or place in
storage all the items that you do not need or don’t use daily. While you
are cleaning and storing, take out personal items, it’s important to
help the buyer envision how they will fit into the space. Lastly, all
guns, valuables or personal items should be locked away. If there is a
drawer, assume that it will be opened, if there is a door assume someone
will look inside.
2. Curb Appeal and Entrance. The front and back of
the home should pop. Making sure that the lawn is mowed, planting
flowers, ensuring paint is fresh, the door is free from cobwebs or dirt,
screens are not sagging or broken, and the porch should be clean and
free from debris.
3. If it’s broken, fix it. If a door lock is broken,
shingles are missing from the roof, or a faucet is leaky all these will
be noticed by a prospective buyer and may lead them to believe other
home maintenance tasks have been neglected. Buyers tend to inflate the
costs of home repairs and may assume that the costs to repair are about
twice the actual cost, this may prompt them to look over your home or
put in a much lower offer.
4. Paint. A new coat of paint will make your house
look fresh, clean and updated. It’s like a “little botox” for your walls
and will cover all the cracks, creaks and the occasional dent. Before
your paint, cover holes with putty and sand smooth, and for bigger
holes, spray texture to make them look less obvious. In addition, don’t
forget to look up. If your ceiling needs it, do it.
5. Floors. Flooring gets the most wear over any
other piece of your home. If your flooring is screaming for some TLC
consider doing so before you put your house on the market. Carpet
should be free from stains or damage, tile and hardwood should be clean
and free from cracks, and linoleum should be clean and free from holes
or gouges. If you are in the market to put new floor in, hardwood is the
gold standard for what buyers want most of the time and there are a
variety of cost options for most budgets.
6. The Roof. Buyer’s aren’t just in the market for a
roof over their head, they are looking for a roof that doesn’t leak,
sag or need repairs. If your roof doesn’t need a complete overhaul make
sure that there aren’t any shingles that need replaced. While you are
up there, it is also a great time to clean out those gutters and caulk
them.
7. De-odorize. Remove anything that could
potentially produce a less than desirable smell. The two biggest things
are animals and smoke. Take pets with you when you leave for showings.
If there is a smoker in the house consider having them go somewhere not
on the homes parameter. It may sound harsh but smell is one of the first
thing a buyer will notice, and smoke is impossible to cover up without
it being obvious, not to mention that smoke clings to outdoor furniture
as much as it does to indoor furniture. Other things to help
de-odorize, replace furnace filters and deep clean the bathroom and
kitchen to get rid of and prevent mold, mildew and bacteria.
8. The windows. New windows are expensive but
nothing takes an older home up a few notches better than new windows. If
you can’t afford to put new windows in, make sure that they are cleaned
inside and out. Look at the sills and if they are cracked or yellowing,
paint them. Lastly make sure that the blinds and window coverings
are clean, and in good condition.
9. Staging. This is a big one!!! Right before you
put your home on the market, make your home sale ready. Research has
shown that having your home staged can increase the chance of your home
selling faster and for a higher sales price vs. not having it staged.
You can hire a professional, or have a friend with an outsiders opinion
come help. I stage all my listings for free and it makes a huge difference!
Thinking of Selling your home within the next year and want some advice on any necessary repairs or improvements to help the home sell? Call me 704-575-9202 or email me jackieyoung@kw.com for a free seller consultation with no obligation to you. I look forward to hearing from you!
Jackie Young, Realtor/Broker
Keller Williams Realty
Charlotte, NC & Lake Norman
Call/Text: 704-575-9202
jackieyoung@kw.com
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