Home Improvements That Will Help Your House Sell
Realtors will tell you it's a bad idea to spend any money on your home before putting it out on the market, especially on a down economy
. By keeping the asking price low and showing the house warts and all, it will be likely to attract more buyers who think they're getting a bargain.
But there are some relatively easy home improvement projects that can make your property more attractive without adding so much onto the asking price, you end up losing money on the sale.
Appliances, plumbing, electrical, or heating and cooling, are things that buyers usually don't want to spend money on repairing. Make sure all systems are go on those items before your first open house.
Next, move to the floors. You're at an advantage if you have real hardwood, buyers love those. Hire a professional if your floors need major repairs or need refinishing. But if you fancy yourself a handy man and the floors are not in a very rough condition, you may rent a sander and polisher and do the job yourself.
If your rugs don't appear move-in new, it's relatively inexpensive to replace them. Neutral tones, such as tans, are a safe bet to match the buyers' decorations. Since many people don't favor carpeting because of kids, pets, or allergies, consider tearing it up in favor of a bright laminate wood floor. A step-by-step video guide to installing this cheaper alternative by yourself is provided by most companies for common areas such as the living rooms.
Replace chipped or cracked tiles when inspecting the kitchen and bathroom. Putting in new grout also will give those floors a clean look.
It is very important to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls and especially the ceiling. Buyers are often wary of cracks on the ceiling as they usually mean that there might be a leak somewhere or that the house is unstable. Apply fiberglass tape on the crack, cover with joint compound, and sand it before painting.
Keep in mind that many ceilings in older homes contain asbestos, a health hazard than can immediately stop a sale. Drop clothes should be laid down before scraping the ceiling thoroughly.
If any of your rooms have wallpaper, it's a good idea to rent a steamer, strip it off, smooth any wall cracks, and paint. Buyers don't probably share your taste in wallpaper. Wood paneling may be attractive to some buyers if it's real wood. Composite paneling is no longer in style today although it does blend in well if you paint it after priming. Your money would be better spent if you allocate it for improvement projects in the kitchen, this is almost certain to provide 100% return. Ancient appliances should be replaced, although high-end replacements are not necessary. As long as it's clean and works for you as intended.
If the kitchen cabinets look worn and faded, there are a couple of ways to make them more attractive short of a total replacement. Attaching a thin veneer covering and installing new doors and hardware would do wonders for your cabinet. A coat of paint or varnish and new hardware will be great for wooden cabinets.
For a sleek look, opt for a new laminate top over the more expensive granite. It would be ideal that there are no signs of leaks or stains on your faucet and sinks and they project sparkling clean aura. There are special polishes available in the market that can do just that. The same should apply for the bathroom which can also be updated with new lighting and fixtures.
Fresh caulking is applied to weatherize all windows and doors, it's an easy job but you do need to have a steady hand and some patience to do it.
For the house exterior, the roof should be on top of your list. If the roof is more than 10 years old, you'll improve your chances of making a sale by having a water shield installed under new shingles, eliminating any worries about leaks. Dedicate a weekend to clean all the gutters and replace any lacking or destroyed downspouts.
Don't allow the buyers to second guess the maintenance of your house, take time to cement cracks on the sidewalks and driveways. Buyers eying your house are no longer willing to spend big for these small repairs, unless your house has been marketed as a fixer-upper. All they could think about at this point is to spend time, relax and enjoy their new home.
by: Diana Moore.
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