People always ask, “What can I do to make my property worth
more if I decide to sell?” The answer is
not always so easy. I usually respond
with, “It depends.” It does. It depends on many things that can affect
what I recommend. I do have a few things
I always look for and have tried to put these into a “Top 5” list of things that
will add value. I’m sure this list will
not be perfect, but it’s a good start.
Here we go:
1)
Do you have only one bath? If so, look at your floor plan and see if
there is a place to add a second bath, or even a half bath. For the money it costs, especially when you
have some skills to do the work on your own, this is of good value when
selling. A second bath is important to
most people with families, people who want families and even empty-nesters that
want room for guests. For the cost, this
is a great way to add to your selling price.
2)
What is the first thing you notice about a
house? If you notice it, others will notice it too, good or bad. Most likely that would be the front of the
house, whether from the photo on MLS or from a drive by. A lot of people make decisions on whether to
see a home by their first impression. We call this “curb appeal.” There are several ways to improve curb appeal.
Check the landscaping and spruce it up where it needs it. Trim the hedges, mow
the lawn, kill the weeds. Look at the
paint. Is it looking rough? Is the house
dirty? Making the front of the house look like a home that people love is a big
advantage when selling.
3)
Walk in your front door. What do you notice? Does it smell? Is it
cluttered? It’s important to be realistic
about what you notice because buyers certainly will be. The first impression of the interior of your
home will be as important as the curb appeal.
Buyers will decide whether they want to see the rest of the house based
on their first impression. If it stinks,
maybe you need to deal with your cat.
Maybe the carpet needs to be replaced. Figure out what it is and fix
it! Clutter is easy to fix. Don’t get
caught with the attitude of “I live here. They can deal with how I live.” Until it is sold, you need to live in a way
that sells the house, even if it isn't very comfortable. Make it as easy as
possible for buyers to imagine themselves in the space.
4)
Kitchens are a big deal to most buyers. Look at yours. Is it dated? Does it need a thorough cleaning? Are there
dirty dishes piled in the sink? Are the counter tops cluttered? Are the
cupboards organized? Buyers will open cabinetry. Clutter is indicative of
limited space, so take the time to clear out excess and organize! If it’s
dated, maybe think about changing the hardware and/or painting the cabinets.
Don’t remodel it to sell it. The cost is prohibitive related to the return. Do
simple things and make it look brighter and clean!
5)
Does it look well maintained inside? Clean things up! That’s free. Look around.
Are the blinds dirty? If so, clean ‘em.
Are there dirty hand prints around the door casings? Paint ‘em. Did the dog scratch up the wall by
the back door? Fix it. Those little things will add up to much more
interest for a buyer. People want to think
a home has been taken care of. It creates comfort. Comfort creates offers.
Follow these few tips and you will sell your house for more money than if you left it alone. If they are already done, good for you! You are light years ahead of the competition.
