When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the upmost importance to ensure you are showing it in its best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells. Here are my top recommended repairs to make before selling your home:
Declutter-
Remove most of your personal photos- a few are ok. Counters and furniture surfaces should be mostly cleared with just a couple items left so as not to look completely bare. Stack and remove excess items from cabinets and closets to give the impression there is ample storage space.
CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN-
Hire a professional if needed, but this is probably the most important thing to do to get your home ready to list. No one wants to live in or clean someone else’s dirt. Clean baseboards, inside appliances, etc. The home should be squeaky clean and shine.
Repaint walls-
Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to spruce it up, and generally, it can be a do-it-yourself project. However, if you have no experience this may be something where you need to hire a professional. Sloppy paint jobs will actually make things worse. Make sure to cover any walls with scratches and chips and consider updating any accent walls with a more neutral coat.
Repair floors-
Hardwood floors are a very desirable feature in a home, so you want to ensure they look their best by fixing scratches or dull areas. If your carpet is worn or stained, consider replacing them. And don’t forget the tile. Re-grouting can go a long way in making dingy tile work look brand new!
Refresh the landscaping-
Show buyers your home is the full package by dressing up the outside as well as the inside. Clean/pressure wash the home’s siding and walkways/driveways, plant seasonal flowers and plants, trim hedges and trees, and fill in mulch and gravel.
Fix your fixtures-
Leaky faucet? Rusted drains? Loose drawer handle? Making these small fixes can make a big difference to potential buyers with detailed-orientated minds. Improve your kitchen. An outdated kitchen can be a real eyesore in a home. Updating cabinetry, repairing or replacing countertops, and installing new faucets, sinks and light fixtures may be worth the investment.
If not sure where to start, ask your real estate professional. They have a trained eye and can advise what truly needs to be addressed. Most realtors have connections to reputable contractors, cleaners, stagers and more. Preparing your home can make a huge difference in the amount of time you’ll be on the market and the price you’ll obtain at closing. If you can’t afford to make improvements or repairs, you can still do your best to make the home look it’s best by cleaning and decluttering.