When selling a house, owners do not necessarily need to make expensive upgrades and renovations on their home to improve their chances at a quick sell. The simple task of cleaning the outside and inside is one of the best ways to perk up the appearance of a house. Maybe a little paint here, a few minor repairs there and it has a completely new look.
First Impressions
When a potential buyer is introduced to your house, the exterior is the first thing seen. Is the front door scuffed and in need of a facelift? Outer doors, walls and shutters need a good cleaning, and sometimes a fresh coat of paint. If the front door is in really bad shape, consider replacing it.
Use a pressure washer to clean away dirt, mildew and oil stains on walks, driveways and exterior walls. Also give porches, decks and fences a good scrubbing. Some hardware or home improvement stores offer rental equipment for the do-it-yourselfer, or hire a cleaning service. Check windows and screens for damage, and repair or replace these before showing the house. Cracked or broken sidewalks and driveways should also be repaired.
Sprucing Up
Take a good look at your landscaping. How does it compare to your neighbor or the rest of the neighborhood? Add a splash of color by planting flowers or small shrubs. Keep the lawn mowed and neatly trimmed. Rake up leaves and grass cuttings, and prune trees and hedges. These little touches do not have to be expensive, and can noticeably brighten the outside of your house.
Sometimes houses are shown in the evenings. Do outside lights work? Is the house number clearly visible? Remember to keep garage doors shut and trash cans out of sight. Small details can make a big difference.
Less is Better
Once inside the house, the key is less is better. As the owner, you are trying to sell a house; potential buyers are looking for a home. That means you have to de-personalize your house by getting rid of clutter so buyers can better visualize how they would give the house their own personality.
Remove personal photos, pack away that collection of state spoons, and take down all those sports trophies and school memorabilia. Not everyone is a fan of the same team. Put any valuables out of sight. Rent a storage unit and finally clean out the garage, attic and overflowing closets. Use this as an opportunity to begin packing or plan a yard sale to offset the cost of improvements.
Clear off kitchen counters and empty cabinets. Clean the outside and inside of ovens, refrigerators and dishwashers, especially if these appliances stay with the house. Keep the dishwasher, clothes dryer and washer, and trash cans empty. Do not hide dirty dishes or clothes in the washers.
Clean, Repair, Replace
Check doors and doorknobs, windows, lighting fixtures and electrical outlets, and faucets to make sure they are all in good shape and functional. Repair any damaged bathroom or floor tiles, or cracks in walls and ceiling. Replace any worn or stained carpet, and torn or peeling wallpaper.
Take the opportunity to do a complete floor to ceiling cleaning. Sweep out cobwebs from corners, get rid of "dust bunnies" under beds and other furniture, wash windows, walls and floors, and shampoo carpets. You could use the money earned from your "de-cluttering" yard sale to hire a professional cleaning service.
Remember not everyone likes cranberry or royal blue walls. Consider painting interiors walls a more neutral color. Replace elaborate window treatments with plain drapes or curtains.
The Little Things
Remember the little things like making beds, putting out matching towels in the bathrooms, setting the thermostat on a comfortable setting, and keeping lights on and blinds or drapes open.
Smokers, pet owners and parents with infants need to recognize that, while resulting odors may have become unnoticeable to you, they are not undetectable to potential buyers. Consider smoking outside while you are trying to sell your house. Clean litter boxes daily and keep dogs outside as much as possible. Throw away diapers in an outside container immediately. Use air freshener or light scented candles. Bake a batch of cookies or homemade bread on days of showing.
Enlist the help of a friend to "inspect" your house as a prospective buyer might. Encourage honest feedback on what improvements you could make to help the sale of your house. Most upgrades do not need to be costly and, in many cases, expensive renovations do not give a good return on your investment. Potential buyers should be able to see how great your house is and not try to imagine what it would be like with "a little work."
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