Real Estate by Sims

While price is important, remember that it isn’t the only factor in selling your home.  The condition of your property, the desirability of your location, and the market exposure are also critical.

It’s not always easy to look around your home and see what needs spruced up. You look at it every day. But homebuyers are going to take notice. You don’t have to spend a fortune, however, on expensive upgrades to enhance the appeal of your home and make it more attractive to prospective buyers. With a little resourcefulness and creativity the following ideas can cost very little and yet make a dramatic difference.

• Repair and replace. Patch cracks and holes in walls. Fix or change broken light switches, door handles and screens. Replace or re-grout any broken, stained or loose tiles in the kitchen or bathroom. Replace outdated faucets and fixtures. When buyers see small areas of neglect, they wonder what major items need repair.
• Add fresh paint. A fresh coat of paint is an easy, cost-effective way to brighten a room. As a general rule, avoid bold colors and stick with light, neutral tones like off-white or beige to make your home as appealing as possible to the widest range of potential buyers. Don’t forget the ceilings.
• Clear clutter. Clearing clutter from countertops and refrigerator doors will make a kitchen more appealing. Straighten closets to make them appear more spacious. If you have children, keep toys confined to bedrooms. Clean the garage and basement, throwing out anything that you are not going to take with you.
• Clean, clean, clean. Buyers, like everyone, prefer to see clean floors, whether it’s hardwood, linoleum or carpet. Have your carpets professionally cleaned  and replace any carpet that is worn or stained. Bleach and scrub all tile surfaces in kitchen and bathrooms. Use special cleaning products to remove stains from bathtubs and toilets.
• Light it up. Light makes rooms appear bigger and more welcoming. Open the curtains and blinds. Turn on lights, even in daylight. Wash the windows, inside and out. Shine the mirrors or hang new ones. Replacing an outdated chandelier with a stainless steel lighting fixture gives a room a new contemporary look.
• Make a grand entrance. Add a few new flower pots, small shrubs or hanging plants to spruce up the outside. Replace rusty house numbers, drab porch lights and frayed doormats with new ones. Rejuvenate a tired-looking front door with fresh paint or stain.
• Buy new fabrics. Fresh new curtains, lampshades and colorful throw pillows can transform the look of any room. New bedding and duvet covers can also punch up a bedroom. A fresh new shower curtain can drastically improve the look of a bathroom.
• Update hardware. Modernize the look of your kitchen and bathroom with new stainless steel knobs, drawer pulls, towel racks and hooks. Save money by repainting, instead of replacing, dated kitchen cabinets.

When you’re finished, you will be the proud owner of a clean, modern-looking, desirable home that potential buyers will easily be able to picture themselves living in. All you have to do is sit back and wait for the right offer to come your way.

Tags: Listing, Pricing, Sellers