If you wish to make your home sell faster, consider making a few inexpensive changes, repairs, or upgrades. Many of these you can complete by yourself, while others will require the help of service providers. You may wish to establish a budget for these changes, and then complete only what the budget will allow. Even a few hundred dollars worth of work may be enough to help buyers fall in love with your home.
When looking for areas in which to make changes, consider the following home selling tips:
Simple cosmetic touches
One of the most inexpensive cosmetic changes will be paint. A fresh coat of wall paint can make a huge difference. This is particularly true if non-neutral colors are in place. While you may have adored that eggplant colored dining room, buyers may find it off-putting. Real estate agents frequently tell buyers to overlook the paint colors, as they can be easily changed. However, some buyers are just not able to do this. Increase your chance of a sale by taking care of this before the home is shown.
Landscaping improvements
You may have lost interest in landscaping duties once the decision to sell you home has been made. It is extremely important to not ignore the condition of the lawn. Planting a few inexpensive plants or flowers near entries and exits is an excellent idea. You may also wish to consider adding a new layer of plant bedding to existing areas in which you have plants, shrubs, or flowers. This can change the look of the landscaping in mere minutes.
De-cluttering of living spaces
Remove as much clutter as possible. Clutter is not only a distraction, but it also makes each room appear to be smaller than it really is. Even if your style is the complete opposite of minimalistic, consider storing excess items elsewhere. The first thought may be to move them to the attic or basement, but you want these areas to be de-cluttered as well. Consider instead an inexpensive storage unit that can be rented temporarily.
Improving curb appeal
If you wish to evaluate the curb appeal of your home, simply step away and give the front of your home a really good look. Try to see things as potential buyers would see them. If you wish to sell your home quickly, you must be able to place yourself in the mindset of buyers. Consider trimming bushes, removing trash, cleaning the driveway, or even replacing the mailbox if needed. First impressions are vitally important, and curb appeal is a huge part of this.
Condition of the existing flooring
The condition of the floors may weigh heavily into the decision to make an offer. Should your hardwood floors need to be repaired, consider doing so. Carpets should be professional cleaned and treated with a stain guard.
All of these tasks taken together may make the difference between being able to sell your home quickly, or being just another victim of less than stellar housing market conditions.
