home >> sell >> adding value

Search Comparable Properties The Selling Process Realtor® v FSBO
Adding Value Disclosures Pricing Safety

Bring top dollar to your home by making smart repairs and improvements that will bring you a great return. Your Realtor® can help you decide which of these items are most important in our case, but these are the most common. These items are all about taking away excuses buyers may have for not buying your home. Many sellers I work with think this is stupid, but trust me, it works! You'd be amazed at the things buyers focus on when searching for a home. I like to take sellers home shopping before listing their homes so they can see the difference between a home for sale and a home prepared for sale.

Clutter
Clear out as many personal belongings as possible and leave your house with the 'simple look.' That means family photos, toys, kitchen items, toiletries, etc.. Clearing out the clutter leaves space where buyers can envision their own items and not someone else's'.

Floors & Carpeting
Worn floors really stand out when you first walk into a home. If your carpet is fairly new, having your carpets shampooed is still a great idea. If your carpet is more than 5 years old, it is probably a good idea to replace it, at least in high-traffic areas like the living room. Scratches in wood floors need to be fixed. Minor scratches can be repaired fairly easily without sanding by someone who knows what they are doing.

Paint Colors
Your favorite paint color may be your buyer's least favorite. Like the TV shows say, go with a neutral color and try a sample first. I like HC-39, HC90, and HC-93 by Benjamin Moore (which other, less expensive stores can mix for you) which are all beiges that look different in each home I have tried them in. If you have a tract-home, look through your homeowner's manual or contact your builder to ask where they buy their paint, then ask the store for the paint for your home based on when it was build and who the builder was.

Walls & Ceilings
Check for cracks and holes and fix them all. If you have cracks around doors, you may need to have a foundation repair company come out before you list your home because these items will come up on a buyer's home inspection which can scare your buyer off and end up costing you more in the long run.

Curb Appeal & Landscaping
You obviously want to keep your lawns trimmed when your home is for sale, but be sure to pull weeds and freshen your flower beds with colorful flowers and fresh mulch. Many houses benefit from potted flowers on the porch. Trim trees and bushes away from your house and trim any branches that block the view of your house, especially if they block a nice feature like a decorative window.

Open the Blinds!
Everyone hates this one and I've been there myself when selling my own home but it's one of the easiest fixes! It will take you time each day, but before you leave for work, open all blinds and curtains to let the light in. It will make your rooms feel roomier and light up your house so buyers can see what they're looking at. Close them when your showing period is over each day if you'd like, then repeat in the morning.

Bathrooms
Your bathrooms should be cleaner than ever when your home is on the market. That means every nook and cranny! A great investment is some fresh towels to hang, but use your regular towels and hang them elsewhere (like in your closet) to keep it fresh. Bathrooms and kitchens sell homes, so take away any objection a buyer may have. Put your toothbrush and toiletries away and out of sight. Hide prescription medications. Consider updating the lighting if you have an older home.

Kitchens
Kitchens sell houses. Let's stress that again. Kitchens sell homes. People spend time each day in the kitchen and use it for entertaining. It can be the most beautiful room in the house. Keep it absolutely clean, no dishes in the sink, no rags out, and all surfaces wiped clean (including backslpashes and the stove!). Move the knives into a cabinet out of sight. Make sure your appliances match and remove any appliances that don't work. If you have replaced one appliance with stainless steel but not others, check into getting a new facing for the others.

If you get these things right the first time, you won't need to spend as much time with upkeep because your home will sell before the competition!