Even in the best of times, it takes a lot work to get your home into tiptop shape when you are trying to sell. When the housing market is in a downturn, it makes it even more important to make smart, cost-effective enhancements and upgrades to your home. When preparing to sell your home (or even before then), here are five things to consider doing if you want to maximize your home's saleability.
1. Make sure your yard, both in front and in back, is clean, green and trimmed.
Don't fool yourself into thinking that the appearance of your front yard doesn't matter so much. It does--especially during times when it's a buyer's market. First impressions do make a big difference in real estate, so why not maximize the appeal of your property by cleaning up any ugly debris, keeping your yard always trimmed and raked, and adding some colorful plants, natural wood mulch and a simple drip irrigation system to your empty flowerbeds. If you don't have much yard to work with, add a few blooming flowers in pots to your porch or line your walkway with clay pots with fragrant (and beautiful) rosemary, sage, mint and chives.
2. Keep your roof in great shape.
There's no getting around it--how your roof looks can either attract or repel potential buyers. If your roof is in need of major repairs, consider getting it repair before you list your home, since this can help your home sell quicker and for more money. Even if your roof is in good shape, consider sprucing it up before selling your home. You can pressure wash any moss growing on or in between the shingles, replace any shingles or flashing that are worn or damaged and make sure that your gutters are clean, painted and securely fastened.
3. Modernize aspects of your home that are out-of-date.
You probably have a list in your head of all the things you would like to modernize in your home. Perhaps the electrical wiring hasn't been touch since the 1950s or your water heater is 20 years old. Maybe the design of your closets are haphazard and waste space or your bathroom sink and pedestal have an unflattering '70s look. Whatever the issue, it's likely that it has aspects that can be updated quickly and inexpensively, and aspects that may need an expert's help. A quick electrical modernization could include making the electrical outlets in your kitchen and bathrooms safer to use by installing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). A more extensive electric upgrade would be to hire an electrician re-wire you house so that it can handle the needs of today's TVs, computers, printers, DVD players, microwaves, ovens and so on.
4. If you want to remodel part of your home, consider a small-scale remodel of your kitchen first. Second, consider a bathroom remodel.
Why? Not only will updates to these two rooms make you and your family more comfortable in your home, they also have proven to have a higher resale value than other interior remodels. In fact, in Remodeling Magazine's 2007 "Cost vs. Value Report," a small-scale kitchen remodel got the third highest resale value (83%) for all projects. When designing kitchen or bath remodel, you'll want to stick with styles, colors and textures that have a wide appeal, so you don't alienate potential buyers.
5. Demonstrate that you have incorporated energy efficient solutions into your home.
Some people are weary of the "green" label that's been used on everything, everywhere--but no one is tired of home upgrades and changes that can truly save money and also conserve resources. You don't have to spend a lot, because even the smallest effort will be appreciated by a majority of today's potential buyers. Outside, you can use drip irrigation in your garden and xeriscape with native plants and grasses. Inside, consider installing low-flow showerheads, a whole house fan and a programmable thermostat. And don't forget to your home's weather stripping, caulking and insulation before hanging up your "For Sale" sign.
Home Tune-Up Tip
If you're planning to sell your home soon, have a home inspection done a few months before putting it on the market. It's a great way to find out what needs to be replaced or fixed around your home, and you'll have enough time to tackle the most pressing repairs.
Comments