5 things you can do this weekend to improve your home’s Saleability
Making a good first impression can mean the difference between receiving serious offers or none at all. If you are selling your home, always keep it in ready to show condition even when you don't have appointments, you never know who will knock on that door and want a quick look. If you are not selling and your budget permits, why not make these simple improvements and enjoy your home even more!
1. Focus on curb appeal. The outside of your house can be the source of a very good first impression. Keep the grass well-watered and mowed. Have your trees trimmed. Cut back overgrowth. Plant some blooming flowers. Store toys, bicycles, roller-skates, gardening equipment and the like out of sight. Have at least the front of your house and the trim painted, if necessary. Sweep the porch and the front walkway. After dark, turn on your front porch light and any other exterior lighting.
2. Clear out the clutter. Loose the clutter! If your home has too much furniture, overflowing closets, crowded kitchen and bathroom countertops or lots of family photos or collectibles on display, potential buyers won't be able to see your home. Get rid of anything you don't need or use. Have a garage sale, donate to Good Will, or rent some off-site storage space if that's what it takes to clear out your home.
3. Use your nose. Many people are oblivious to scents, but others are extremely sensitive to offensive odors. To eliminate bad smells, bathe your pets, freshen the cat litter box frequently, shampoo your carpets, dry clean your drapes, and empty trash cans, recycling bins and ash trays. Light a candle or incense, put out fresh flowers or potpourri and use air fresheners.
4. Make all necessary repairs. Buyers expect everything in their new home to operate safely and properly. Picky buyers definitely will notice and likely magnify minor maintenance problems you've ignored for months or even years. Add new doorknobs, paint the front door, fix leaky faucets, replace burned-out light bulbs, repair painted-shut or broken windows, replace inoperable appliances – these repairs may seem small, but left undone they can lead buyers to question whether you've taken good care of your home.
5. Introduce lifestyle accessories and make your home as comfortable and attractive as possible. Rearrange the furniture, set the dining room table with your best dishes. Put out your only-for-company towels. Make up the spare bed. Hang some fresh curtains. Put some logs in the fireplace. Get creative!
10 things that can increase the value of your home
1. Updated/modern kitchen
2. Updated/modern bath
3. Well-appointed master suite
4. Natural materials like ceramic tile, hardwood floors and granite counter tops
5. Curb appeal for a great first impression
6. Light, airy, spacious feel – clean out the clutter
7. Good windows and well-placed skylights
8. Landscaping
9. Lots of storage
10. Basement
10 things that can decrease the value of your home – Liabilities
1. A pool
2. No garage or a small garage
3. Garbled floor plan
4. Outmoded appliances or systems
5. Stale or overly personal décor
6. A bad roof
7. Bad location
8. Poor maintenance – a home not cared for
9. Environmental hazards like lead, mold or asbestos
10. List of needed improvements
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