Whether you are an old pro or new to the housing market, selling a home is a stressful business. While we recommend using an Expert Realtor to handle the behind-the-scenes stuff, like paperwork and comparable properties, there are always things to do on your own to really give your home an advantage. Here are a few do-it-yourself projects that may just sell your home faster.
1. First Impressions are EVERYTHING If you don't get giddy walking up to your home, chances are buyers won't either. The first impression of a home is key to selling your home fast, and it doesn't take much to bring it from "blah" to "oh-la-la!"
- replace old address numbers for new, exterior ones.
- paint the front door, but don't add too much decoration. Nothing says "welcome" like a bright front door and a simple wreath or door mat.
- remove all weeds and keep plantings trim and not overgrown.
- keep the entrance way clear of any debris (this includes leaves or mud on the outside and shoes, clutter, etc, on the inside.)
2. Freshen Up Your Front and Backyards Even if your thumb is less green and more black, there are plenty of inexpensive ways to revitalize your outdoors.
- mulch around landscape beds and trees. This not only protects plants and soil (if done correctly), but it also gives your home a manicured look that many buyers can't resist.
- if your are garden-savvy, planting some seasonal flowers or shrubbery will give your outdoors a pop of color.
3. Baking Soda can be Your Best Friend In the hustle and bustle of every day life, we often don't notice things like that sticky spot in the corner or the smells in our home, but you can bet any potential buyer will notice it first thing! By using baking soda in your garbage disposals, trash cans, and refrigerators, any lingering odors will be eliminated.
4. Caulking and Re-Grouting While this tip is a little more time consuming, it surely makes a world of difference. Depending on the age of your home, daily wear and tear and settling can do a number on your baseboards, tile, trim, and window and door frames. Caulking and/or re-grouting can give your home a more polished look. Just remember, any gap larger than one-fourth to three-eighths of an inch should have a backer rod in place.
5. Who Says Kitchen Remodeling Has to be Expensive? If you plan to do an entire kitchen overhaul, it will most likely cost a pretty penny, but there are a few things you can do to revamp your kitchen that won't break the bank.
- Cabinets: If your cabinets are in decent shape but only look terrible, try resurfacing them instead of replacing them. You can re-stain, re-glaze, or even re-paint them for a brand new look.
- Appliances: If your appliances still work like new but are not the best color, change it! Many home improvement stores offer a cover that goes over the front of the appliance to completely change its appearance.
- Hardware: By changing out the handles and drawer pulls on your cabinets, it can take your kitchen or bathroom from country cabin to contemporary chic!
6. Don't Just Use a Closet for Hiding Clutter What is one thing everyone asks for but is the hardest to come by? Storage Space!! In newer homes this isn't as much of an issue, but let's be honest; you can never have too much closet space. One of the easiest projects you can tackle is cleaning out your closets. Not only will this free up space for you, but you can bet that potential buyers will look in your closets. If they see an overflowing mess, they'll think it's because your home lacks adequate storage space and will quickly start the search for another home that does.
When it comes to home selling tips, these are just the tip of the iceberg. For more tips on selling your home, check out our Pinterest page; Leanne Carswell on Pinterest.