5 tips to improve your home’s resale value

August 19, 2010

 

 Cabinet Locks

Is the home you are moving out of designed to sell?

If you are searching to add oomph to your address before planting a for sale sign out front, area real-estate agents say you can do it yourself with small expense.

“There are plenty of low-cost methods to get your house ready to sell,” says Steve Klemm of Sangamon Realty in Springfield, Ill.

Tip 1: Up against the wall

Klemm states his No. 1 suggestion is to take down any wallpaper in the kitchen, living room and master bedroom. Then paint the interior walls a basic, neutral color.

Klemm says that while repainting is labor-intensive, a fresh coat of paint creates a large impression when he shows a home to potential buyers.

“Not only will (the house) be move-in prepared, but it also provides it a clean-cut appear and covers dirt and wall dings,” he states.

Sandy Hamilton of ReMax Professionals agrees. The Springfield Realtor says most purchasers do not want to buy a house with wallpaper because they do not want to need to remove it.

“It’s a weird thing. Purchasers can’t seem to obtain past wallpaper,” she explains. At a minimum, Hamilton recommends getting an estimate on wallpaper removal so purchasers get an immediate concept of the expense involved.

Tip 2: Clear it out

For both Realtors, de-cluttering is another essential procedure in prepping a house for a successful showing.

Beyond cleaning off countertops and throwing out extra junk, Hamilton suggests paring down excess furnishings, either by selling them or storing them somewhere else.

“You do not wish to overpower (buyers) with furniture,” she explains.

Hosting a yard sale before putting a home on the market can assist to clean up the space, Klemm states. “It can make a house really feel larger and prevent looking maxed out on storage room,” he says.
“Buyers who see a great deal of boxes stacked within the basement, for instance, might wonder if they can fit their stuff (in the house).”

Put away some of one’s personal photographs when displaying a house. Hamilton says too many snapshots can take buyers’ interest away from the house, as they often scan pictures for familiar faces rather than focusing about the features of the house.

Tip 3: Make a great initial impression

Enhancing curb appeal — the initial appearance of the home as individuals see it for the initial time from the street — is another of Hamilton’s top three pointers for prepping a house for sale.

“Clean-cut curb appeal truly creates a positive impression when buyers are walking up, and it helps their mental state as they’re walking via the home,” states Klemm, who recommends planting flower beds or pots and keeping bushes and the lawn freshly trimmed.

According to the DIY Network website (www.diynetwork.com), there are several methods you can add instant curb appeal to your home for under $100. Suggestions include painting the front door and trim, upgrading the mailbox, posting new home numbers and updating outdoor light fixtures.

When displaying the home, Hamilton suggests opening all of the blinds and turning on all of the lights in the house. She also says playing soft music and setting out a bowl of M&M’s add homey touches that can warm buyers to the home.

Tip 4: Get the biggest bang for your buck

If you’re short on time and funds, concentrate your efforts in the kitchen.

Both Hamilton and Klemm say that’s the area house purchasers scrutinize the most. A close second is the master bed/bath, followed by the “wowness” of a finished basement, Hamilton said.

To make your kitchen sparkle on a budget, Klemm recommends painting cabinets or replacing cabinet-door facades and updating hardware. Adding a new paint job on the walls will create the “appeal of a very attractive, fairly move-in ready impression.” Klemm says these smaller improvements will bring a higher return on the dollar than sellers could get with an expensive remodel.

Tip 5: Spend a little now to save money later

In addition to aesthetic improvements, another popular trend is to have a pre-inspection performed before listing a house for sale.

For $300-$500, a seller can learn about and correct any problems before the home hits the marketplace and offer the assurance to potential buyers of a pre-inspected house.

“It’s a minimal expense that in the whole scheme of things can save a great deal down the road,” states Klemm, simply because a buyer is assured fewer surprises. Prior to closing, buyers can have a much less expensive ($75-$100) re-inspection.

A pre-inspection guards against the uncertainty of waiting for a buyer’s inspection, which puts the property in limbo off the market prior to finalizing the sale, Hamilton says.

Klemm also urges sellers to confirm that the major functions of the home are in great shape before turning attention towards the details.

“Make sure the mechanicals and roof are in functioning, working order. Check to see that there are no major cracks in the foundation or leaking within the basement,” he states.

“What it comes down to in the end is that although purchasers may walk via and love the interior design and colors, ultimately it comes down to if they’re going to be replacing the roof or waterproofing the basement, which is a big deal.”

Source:  Wicked Local