Tips for Home Sellers

Even with rising values and reduced inventory in certain markets, selling a home remains challenging. Buyers expect not just a shiny new stainless sink but pruned hedges, freshly painted walls, glistening hardwood floors, and more. Making everything look great can cost a pretty penny. Prioritize based on the condition of what’s needed most, what buyers in the area typically request, what competing houses offer and — of course — cost. Here’s a list of 25 affordable, easy-to-make changes:


1. Add power outlets with USB ports in rooms that lack them, especially in the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms where they’re most needed. Younger, more tech-savvy couples and individuals love them.

2. Eliminate acoustic popcorn-style ceilings since they look dated and tacky. *note: some may contain asbestos-Scott

3. Remove exposed posts and half walls. Today’s buyers want more space, and partial walls and posts gobble up room. The only walls that should remain are those that offer privacy or conceal electrical wires or plumbing stacks.

4. Update wiring for the Internet and flat-screen TVs. You don’t have to run CAT-5 through walls, which can be costly and require opening and closing and repainting walls. Instead, find a place to put a wireless router.

5. Clean carpets and wood floors since they’re often the first part of a room that buyers check out; you don’t need to replace them unless they’re in terrible shape. A good carpet steam cleaning or wood floor waxing can be relatively inexpensive, sometimes less than $200.

6. Expand a small kitchen to make it work better and look larger. Two quick fixes: Change the backsplash by adding mirrors, stainless steel, or paint, which will introduce light and views. You may want to add an island, which requires only 30” between counters and the island to pass through comfortably. If there’s not enough room for an island, bring in a rolling cart with pull-out shelves underneath and a wood top.

7. Clear out and clean a garage, a big selling feature. Power wash the floor or paint it if it’s in bad shape, remove dated cabinets, and remove all junk that’s been stored there, so prospects can see how much space they would have for their stuff.

8. Change out corroded or dented door knobs and levers. The replacements don’t have to be expensive but they should look new and clean.

9. Pay attention to landscaping, which can add 7 to 15 percent to a home’s value. Focus on mowing grass, removing crab grass, and eliminating dead plants and tree branches. It is better to have dirt and the potential to paint a picture for the buyers’ mind than a backyard full of dead plants. But if you have extra funds, consider: adding seasonal colors through blooming annuals and perennial plants. Remove problems like too much noise from traffic or neighbors by installing an inexpensive fountain with trickling water.

10. Paint exterior windows, doors, gutters, downspouts, and trim, then go inside and paint the home’s trim, doorways, and walls that are in need of freshening. Don’t worry about the colors but consider those that veer toward quiet and comfort such as Benjamin Moore’s Yosemite Sand, Edgecomb Gray, or Carrington Beige. Gray is a hot interior color now. Painting rooms lighter colors such as white, yellow, and beige help to bounce and reflect sunlight and use more natural and less artificial light. But in cooler months, dark colors such as deep brown and blue absorb sunlight, thereby reducing heating costs. And don’t forget ceilings, which can be a “fifth wall.” You can improve them with paint or old-style metal or faux-metal tiles.

11. Remove outdated wallpaper, replacing it with paint and preferably a neutral color.

12. Remove, store, or discard excessive accessories on tabletops and walls and in cabinets. Less is more, and you want the house to be seen by prospective buyers without the distraction of too many personal items. Leave out only three things on any surface.

13. Get the house inspected before it’s listed to know its condition and identify any structural issues that could derail sales. Many problems can’t be detected by an untrained eye, including those in a basement, crawl space, or attic. There might be roof damage or a plumbing leak. Many inspectors take photos and provide a detailed report. If you have repairs made, they should be handled by a qualified licensed contractor.

14. Outfit closets for extra storage to make rooms look larger and less cluttered, but you don’t redo all closets elaborately. Top contenders for redos are an entry closet for a good first impression, kitchen pantries where storage is key, and a linen closet to keep sheets, towels, and other stuff neat. These costs needn’t be excessive. A linen closet can be fitted with baskets and cubbies.

15. Tighten a home’s “envelope” to improve energy efficiency and savings. Put money and effort into well-insulated double-paned windows, sealed furnace ducts, energy-efficient appliances, the newest programmable thermostats, LED and compact fluorescent lights, and a smart irrigation box on a sprinkler to cut water usage. After a few months, sellers can show buyers how costs have dropped. You can put together a green manual to show which features have been added.

16. Improve a home’s healthfulness by using paints and adhesives with low or no volatile organic compounds. Point out these changes to prospective buyers in another list or manual.

17. Use what you have, and arrange each room in a conversational way if possible. Don’t set all furnishings in a family room so they face a TV, since most potential buyers like the idea of an open-room milieu for socializing.

18. Remove and replaced faded draperies, fabrics, and rugs, or leave windows and floors bare to avoid showing lack of attention. Slipcovers, which can cover worn furniture can also provide an affordable decorative feature, changed for each season. Slipcovers can range from $49.99 to $149.99, based on fabric and treatment.

19. Replace old, dated, or worn bedding. Before any showing, fluff up pillows and covers, and make all beds neatly. Affordable choices can be found at stores like Target and Web sites like Overstock.com.

20. Toss out old magazines. You don’t want a People magazine from a year ago; it looks like nobody lives in the house or cares.

21. Check smells regularly. Besides getting rid of bad odors from pets and mildew, introduce nice fresh fragrances, but don’t go heavy on scents from candles. A light lavender or citrus spray is smart and inoffensive. Open windows before showings to bring in fresh air.

22. Make rooms lighter and larger for showings with good lighting. Preferably warm, cool colors rather than fluorescents. Additionally, 60-watt bulbs are a good choice, even though they’re not as energy-efficient.

23. Go with plants rather than flowers indoors since they last longer, but either choice can add vivacity to a room.

24. Pay attention to your bathrooms. Specifically, make sure you have freshly laundered towels, new soap in soap dishes, spotless mirrors, and no mildew in view.

25. Be sure your house is priced competitively with the current market and homes in your area. In most regions, it’s still the No. 1 “fix” to sell quickly. Go a bit under the market price, and you may even bring forth multiple offers that are higher than expected.

Source:
By Barbara Ballinger
August 2012 Realtor® Magazine