You
found your dream house, your offer was accepted and you are ready to move.
There is just one small problem; you have not sold your current house. With
most of your money going into the new home, what can you do to increase the
selling power of your house without breaking the bank? As it turns out, there are numerous solutions
that can get you a better closing price on your home while costing you less
than $100.
Keep A-Busy, Cinderella! Clean
From Top To Bottom
When it
comes to selling your home, having an extremely clean house is vital.
Nobody
wants to buy a home full of someone else's dirt. Clean your house thoroughly,
and then clean it again. Make sure appliances are sparkling, cupboards are
polished and floors are scrubbed. If you have carpet, make sure to have it
professionally cleaned. If you have animals, vacuum daily and change the litter
twice a day to eliminate pet hair and odors. Before you leave the house in the
morning, make sure that all the beds are made and the dishes are done. Try not
to leave dirty dishes in the dishwasher, as potential buyers will look. Once
you are sure your house is as clean as it can be, invite your real estate agent
over to scrutinize the home. He or she knows exactly where buyers will look and
may find areas you have forgotten about.
Get Your Walls Out Of The
Nineties With A New Coat of Paint
Bright
orange kitchens do not sell a house, and neither do electric blue family rooms.
You may love bright unusual colors, but the average person does not. It is
important that potential buyers see themselves living in your home, and this
happens more easily with neutral colors that flow throughout the house.
If you
absolutely need some color, stick to area rugs or perhaps an accent wall. A few
gallons of paint comes in at less than a hundred dollars and will go a long way
to increasing the salability of your house. You should also touch up the
baseboards and windows with a clean and fresh white trim paint.
Sweat The Small Stuff: Minor
Repairs Have A Major Impact
When you
live in a house for a long time, you stop seeing the little issues that new
buyers will notice. Things like a chipped light switch cover plate, or a piece
of missing trim, might tell a buyer you do not really care about your home. If
your outlet and light plates are chipped or outdated, replace them - it takes
only a couple of minutes and makes a world of difference.
Look for
other things around your home that are easy to repair as well, such as a
cracked toilet seat or a missing doorknob. A couple of afternoons fixing the
small stuff pays off big in the end.
Make Your Front Lawn Look Like It
Belongs On HGTV
Do not
underestimate the power of curb appeal. You could have the most beautiful
interior on the market, but it doesn’t matter what the inside of the house
looks like if you can’t get a buyer through the front door. Try planting some
petunias or begonias in a garden at the front of your home to add interest and
color. Pretty hanging baskets also add a welcoming touch to a front entrance or
a porch. You can plant a gorgeous garden in one afternoon for much less money
that you would think.
Be A Master Of Illusion And Stage
Your Home To Sell
When
you’re trying to sell a home, staging it is vital. This means highlighting your
home's great features and hiding the weak ones. If your house is small, then
de-clutter it. Get rid of all the knick-knacks and busy furniture patterns and
go for clean and simple lines. If you have no dining room and a large living
room, section a portion of the living room for an eating area. Hang pictures
and mirrors to take advantage of great light. Position furniture to show off
unique architecture. Staging doesn’t have to be expensive; you can cover an
outdated sofa with a cheap slipcover and buy a dining table at a thrift store
for next to nothing. Plants and artwork can also add charm and style to your
home for very little cost. Have your real estate agent help you with this, they
understand staging and can offer a lot of helpful advice.
You need
to get the highest possible dollar for you home in order to help you cover your
moving costs, and it only makes sense to update when the overall cost is so
little. By making these small, inexpensive improvements to your home, you not
only make it more sellable, but you can increase the overall value. Talk to
your favorite real estate agent today for expert advice and tips on how to get
your home ready for sale.
Interested in selling your
Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com
Interested in buying a Charleston
area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com
-Jeff Cook
Jeff Cook
Real Estate
Charleston,
SC
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