1. Clean, Clean and Clean Again
You’ve seen the home makeover shows. Sometimes, a deep clean is all it takes to get the same home from looking like an abandoned dump to a cute lived-in nest with lots of potential.
Whether you choose to hire a cleaning team or do the work yourself, a basic scrub-down is necessary before getting any house on the market.
Scrub the walls and the carpet. Clear the junk drawers, and organize the cupboards. Put up plants and clear coffee table clutter. Put any stray toys, garden equipment or home tools in storage.
3. Make Those Repairs!
And now comes the part with serious decision-making. Although some will debate whether it is best to put money toward repairs or sell a house as-is and invest into the new one, anecdotal evidence shows that most buyers are drawn away from homes that clearly show signs of needing improvements.
Lights, ceiling fans, faucets and doorknobs are, according to Ameer, just a few examples of fixtures that are inexpensive to replace but breathe new life into a home.
“Let’s face it: buyers buy with their eyes, so now is the time to go through the interior in detail,” she writes. “Are there dents and dings on the walls, scratched moldings or worn paint?” If so, get them addressed right away.
5. Don’t Ignore The Exterior
It’s easy to forget about the home’s exterior and focus on what’s on the inside — it is, after all, where they spend a vast portion of their time. That said, the front of the house, or curb appeal, is the first thing people notice before they walk in the door.
So make sure the lawn is trimmed, the front door is painted, and old lawn furniture and children’s toys are not blocking the entry to the home.
“When potential buyers pull up to the home and notice how clean and beautiful it is on the outside, they won’t be able to help but get excited for what’s inside the front door,” Cooper wrote.
