1. Paint Rooms

Painting is one of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to spruce up the rooms in your homeGetting a fresh coat of paint on walls will instantly brighten them up and make the home look fresh and new. Or use more neutral colors for a current, updated look. Painting rooms also helps maximize space and makes them appear larger. Painting has one of the biggest returns on your investment of any home improvement project, and can be done in a couple of weekends.

 

2. Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is as important as ever, especially after the long winterWith the snow melting, this time of year buyers want to see homes with freshly trimmed bushes, clear walkways, fresh mulch, and well kept lawns.  Get rid of dead leaves, branches, and weeds. Put out new plants or consider adding a few flowering potted plants near the entryway. Use a pressure washer to remove leaf stains from patios and walkways. When buyers pull up and see a well-kept yard, it means the home is well kept on the inside as well.

 

3. Make Small Fixes

Take the time to repair any small projects you've been putting offIf buyers see a broken railing or leaky faucet, it gives the impression that everything in the house hasn’t been cared for. That’s why it’s so important to take the time to repair any small projects you’ve been putting off. Replace missing tiles, fix torn screens, touch up holes or cracks in walls. Replace cracked windowpanes and moldings. Making repairs like these won’t cost a lot of money yet they will have a huge impact on a buyer’s impression of your home.

 

4. Brighten Up!

A low-cost but effective way of showcasing your home is making it appear brighterBuyers prefer bright cheerful homes to those that appear dark and cramped. Keep drapes and shades open to allow more natural light into the home. Awnings on decks should be retracted. Replacing low wattage light bulbs with brighter ones and actually changing some fixtures out completely will open and brighten up a room instantly.  You would be amazed how adding a lamp to a dark corner can open up and add space to the entire room.

 

5. De-Clutter

De-cluttering doesn't mean getting rid of everything, but it definitely means organizing and removing most of your stuff.The less stuff you have the larger your home will appear. Since getting buyers into the home is half the battle, make sure they don’t lose interest because your house is brimming over with stuff that could easily be placed in a closet or drawer. Most rooms have too many pieces of furniture. Remove at least one piece to thin the room out and move furniture away from walls. Buyers should be able to freely move around the rooms, not bump into end tables and ottomans. Reduce the amount of books in shelves, and remove vases, statues, or clocks from tables. Don’t forget to de-personalize as well. Buyers like to envision themselves living in the home. This means taking down family photos and removing notes and postcards from the refrigerator.

 

6. Clean Like You’ve Never Cleaned Before

Cleaning the house before it goes on the market is one of the most essential tasks you can doCleaning the house before it goes on the market is one of the most essential tasks you can do. We recommend you dedicate more than one afternoon to getting the home sparkle. Set aside a few days to clean rooms from top to bottom.  The kitchen and bathrooms need to be immaculate. When was the last time you cleaned the windows in your house? This is a simple inexpensive way to bring more light into rooms and make even older windows look new again. Wash curtain sheers. Shampoo rugs. Make the beds. Dust shelves. Counters, sinks, tubs, and appliances should sparkle. Clean all switch plates.

 

7. Pricing It Right

Regardless of how well you renovate and stage your home, it is still important to price the home appropriately. Consult me as your real estate agent, read the newspapers and go to online real estate sites to see what comparable homes are going for in your area.  It's not always imperative to be the lowest priced home on the block, particularly when aesthetic and other significant improvements have been made.  However, it is important that thelisting price is not out of line with other comparable homes in the market. Try to put yourself in the buyer's shoes and then determinewhat a fair price might be Have friends, neighbors and me as your real estate professional tour the home and weigh in as well.