10 Tips to Prepare for A Home Sale
We are in the
middle of summer -- one of the busiest times for any real estate market -- with
thousands of homes and properties going up for sale in every town and city
throughout the United States. Getting the most for a home is always a seller's
top priority; heeding these ten tips and tricks when considering putting your
house on the market will help toward getting you top dollar.
1. Paint Color:
When choosing an exterior paint color, stick
with what's popular in the neighborhood, goes well with the surroundings of the
area, or fits the style of the home. Picking a paint color that is not common
or completely clashes with the rest of the neighborhood is a very risky
decision, especially when thinking about listing a home. When it comes to
paint, choose safe colors for the biggest return on investment. The same should
be considered for interior paint -- big, bold, bright colors might work for
your current design scheme, but when buyers walk through a home, and the main
living space is four different colors, it's likely all they'll see is dollar
signs and time spent repainting.
2. Landscaping:
Landscaping can make or break a home sale, or
turn it into a long, laborious process. When thinking of landscaping, consider
the plants or trees before anything gets planted -- trees and roots can wreak
havoc with lawns, foundations and pipes; take into consideration how large a
plant or tree will get and how far the root system will travel over time.
3. The Front Door:
The front door is one of the first things
potential buyers see -- a strong and visual front door can leave a great first
impression to potential buyers. If the door is broken, doesn't work properly,
or is in desperate need of a makeover, a buyer may see these things as weak
points and consider offering less.
4. Upgrades:
Don't assume you'll recoup every investment,
especially when it comes to large upgrades. Pools are notorious for poor return
on investment, as are other large home additions. If you're considering
upgrading your home before putting it on the market, look to areas that are
sure to make you money: kitchens and bathrooms, if tastefully done, will always
add to the value of a house.
5. Fireplaces:
Fireplaces appeal to a large majority of
buyers, but changing out the aesthetics of a fireplace can either be a great
investment opportunity, or drastically lower a buyer's offer. It's best to take
trends into consideration when making updates or changes to a fireplace -- painting
over exposed brick can be a huge deal breaker for some buyers, especially when
a majority of people like exposed brick fireplaces.
6. Old Appliances:
Potential buyers look at the appliances in a
home to gauge their age and how well they've been taken care of. Appliances
play a large part in any home, and if they are old, outdated and no longer
working can create hesitations in potential buyers. If it's a classic that
still works, don't worry about replacing it; if you can't get the door clean,
or the oven temperature doesn't rise above 350 degrees, it's probably time to
replace it. There's no need to go all out on the latest and greatest technology
either -- while a beautiful stainless steel fridge might be alluring, it's
likely you won't recoup the cost through the home sale, and it's more likely
you'll want that classy fridge in your new home.
7. Deep Cleans and Small Stuff:
Most buyers have an eye for the small details
of a house. An initial deep clean of the house, and continued maintenance
thereafter, shows potential buyers that the house has been maintained. The
small details matter: windows and window tracks, light switches, molding, a
garbage disposal, tile, grout, sinks, ovens and appliances are all looked at by
buyers. Make sure these items are not overlooked when the house goes on the
market -- potential buyers will appreciate the time you took to address them.
8. Trends:
Trends can be quite alluring for those looking
to dabble in interior decorating. Some buyers like trends, but the majority of
buyers look for classic, neutral colors on walls and fixtures. While a chevron
pattern may be the perfect accompaniment to your current sofa or bedspread,
most buyers will see the pattern, when applied to walls, as a potential paint
job. If you're considering listing your house, consider accessorizing with
drapes, pillows and some pictures. These are simple ways of adding personality,
and buyers will appreciate a neutral color scheme on the walls.
9. Hard to Clean Surfaces and Floors:
Buyers always look at the floors and counters
in a potential home, and these surfaces can be huge selling points. If the
counter tops are stained, hardwood floors scratched up, carpet damaged, or the
tile is breaking, consider cleaning or finding a quick replacement. If a solid
counter top is stained, a buyer will no doubt see dollar signs. If you have
hardwood floors, some products can actually dull the wood over time. If the
wood needs a little TLC before the house is listed, consider having the floors
buffed -- this will add some life, and buyers will see that they've been cared
for.
10. Small Spaces:
Kitchens and bathrooms are undoubtedly some of
the biggest selling features of a house or property. If either of these areas
is small, consider revamping to make them look larger. A small bathroom with no
windows is going to look like a cave if the color scheme is on the darker side.
Bigger in a small space is always best -- stick with neutral, light colors to
help make the room look larger. Update any light bulbs that are reaching the
end of their life; upgrading to a higher wattage or lumen can help enhance a
small area too.
Selling a home
is a large task, and every seller hopes to make money on their home sale.
Prepping your home before a sale will always result in better viewings and
interested buyers, and the end result will be a happy seller and an even more
excited buyer.
