Sold in a Snap: Home Improvements That Will Sell Your House Fast
When you want to get your house on the market and sell it quickly, it's got to be in tiptop condition. This means making necessary repairs, as well as cleaning, staging, and possibly even making a few cosmetic upgrades that will make your property attractive to a wide range of buyers to ensure your home brings top dollar in fast fashion.
Pack It Up
If you're selling your house, that typically means you're moving, so now is a good time to start packing and storing away nonessential items. You may utilize space in a closet or garage, or you may even find it more convenient to rent a storage unit. Box up things like holiday decorations, family photos and keepsakes, clothing and bedding that's not in season, and even knickknacks, appliances, and generally anything that can make your house feel cluttered. Prospective buyers want to be able to envision themselves and their things in the house, so make it as neutral as possible.
Clean It Out
Packing and cleaning can go hand-in-hand. Donate unwanted items, recycle or dispose of garbage and broken items, and get rid of any debris that might be distracting to prospective homebuyers. Once you've cleaned out, clean up. Your home should have a super deep cleaning, either by you or a professional cleaning company. This means scouring the inside and outsides of cabinets, walls, windows, floorboards, carpet, tile, and wood flooring. All of the cobwebs should be gone, ceiling fans dusted, vents cleaned, and scuff marks removed from doors, walls, and shelves.
Make Repairs
Family Handyman recommends going through your house room by room and making a list of everything that is in need of repair. Perhaps you have chipped paint or tarnished door knobs. Maybe you have nail holes that need patching or cracked tile or grout that needs to be fixed. You may be able to make the repairs yourself or hire a handy person to go through a “to do” list. If you have a leaky faucet, squeaky door hinges, or broken light fixtures, repair or replace as necessary to ensure your home appears move-in ready. Also be mindful of smells in your home, particularly if you have pets.
Freshen Up
If it's been a while since you painted interior walls, now is a good time to make a quick and affordable refresh of rooms. According to Today, a fresh coat of paint can make a house sparkle, and even make it smell like new. Go with fairly neutral tones to ensure you appeal to a wide range of styles and tastes. You might also install higher-than-usual wattage light bulbs and switch out fixtures for an updated look. Are your windows covered in dirt? Invest in window cleaning services—search “window washer near me” to find reliable professionals. Costs will depend on how dirty and accessible your windows are and the number and type of windows that need cleaning.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money in the process. The idea is to make the property look well-cared for, and for buyers to avoid making mental notes of “everything they have to fix” before moving in.
Take It Outside
Of course, the outside of your home is the first thing potential buyers see, so your curb appeal needs to be just that - appealing. Look around and see what other people are doing to make their homes stand out. You can even search similar houses for sale in your geographic region to see what kinds of upgrades, updates, and other amenities buyers are promoting in their online home listings. You may need a landscaping upgrade, or at minimum, a clear-out of debris. Plant new foliage where warranted, power clean the exterior of your home, and add attractive landscape lighting to show off your property.
Make Improvements
If you find your house is not a standout in the neighborhood and you have the time to make some more upscale repairs, you might consider additions like a deck, a patio cover, porch swing, or a built-in barbecue or fire pit. Adding shutters or resurfacing the driveway or patio are other ways to make a house more appealing and potentially increase its value. If you’re light on storage, installing new cabinets or shelving units can make your property feel larger and more spacious, which can be attractive for buyers. Even touches like ceiling fans and new window coverings can add to your overall appeal.
Stage Your Home
There's a reason model homes are decked out from top to bottom. Sellers want people to envision what a space could look like when they’re fully moved in. You can stage your house to make it look more open, airy, light, and appealing. For example, setting the table, putting lovely guest towels in the bathroom, and making beds with big pillows and fluffy comforters can all create that model home look. Adding lots of foliage or greenery and additional lighting can also help, as can arranging furniture in such a way that the home appears more spacious.
Price Yourself Competitively
If you want to sell your home quickly, it has to be priced right. A real estate professional can help you understand the current market dynamics, as well as research the appraised value and sales prices of other similar homes in your neighborhood. You'll also want to work with an agent who can aggressively market your property and let prospective buyers know that you are motivated to sell in short order. This approach can encourage people to make a solid, fast offer, knowing that you're planning to sell quickly.
Track Your Upgrades
Before making any major renovations to your home, take photographs, and then take new pictures when your work is done. Save all receipts as well. Both of these efforts will allow you to demonstrate the investment you've made in your property, which can help score you a higher appraised value. This can help ensure that your home is competitively priced and that prospective buyers may be willing to pay a little extra once an inspection and appraisal report comes in. If you’re selling after only having lived in the property a short while, receipts can also help you offset potential capital gains taxes.
Even minimal effort and budget can help turn your home into a showplace and set it apart in the marketplace when it's time to sell. Ask your real estate agent about investing in professional photography and 360 or 3-D home tours so that your online listing looks amazing.
Never underestimate how a skilled real estate professional like Jonathan Berry can help you sell your home for top dollar. Call 615.430.9476 to schedule a consultation today!
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