Before Putting Your Home on the Market
Painting
Painting is one of the least expensive ways to improve your home before putting it on the market, and a house that’s ready to move into is more appealing to potential buyers than one that requires work. Although everyone won’t agree on paint colors, neutral colors or lighter shades are usually the best options. Go too bright or too bold and your fresh paint job may turn people away.
Flooring
If flooring in your home shows excessive wear, consider replacing it before putting your home on the market. You don’t have to choose expensive flooring to make a good impression, but any flooring that’s new is far better than flooring that’s stained, ripped, or obviously worn. When your home is in move-in condition, you’ll be more likely to receive acceptable offers.
If you decide to replace carpeting, opt for better padding and you can get away with a less expensive choice. Quality padding will extend the life of the carpeting, and it will make it feel more cushiony and much more expensive than it really is. In addition, you might prefer bright blue carpeting, but potential buyers might not. You can’t please everyone, but if you choose neutral colors, you won’t go wrong.
Windows
A house can look like a palace inside, but if the windows are dirty, it’s not quite as impressive. Not only that, but clean windows give potential buyers a better view of the outdoors when they’re inspecting a home that’s for sale. Make sure your windows are clean, inside and out, before putting your home on the market. Sparkling clean windows make more of a difference than many people realize.
If the windows in your house have damaged screens, stripped window cranks, or other problems, make the necessary repairs before putting your home on the market. Windows are an important consideration when searching for a home, and potential buyers will definitely consider the windows when inspecting your home.
Unflattering window treatments do nothing more than draw attention to the windows, but it isn’t the type of attention you want when you’re trying to sell your home. Replace outdated, faded, worn, or unappealing window treatments with new selections before putting your home on the market, and consider pleated fabric shades, vertical blinds, or the many other options available in stores or online. The window treatments you chose can change the entire look of a room.
Clutter
Before putting your home on the market, take the time to organize your home by throwing away useless items and getting rid of things you no longer need. Not only will your house look much neater, cleaner, and larger, but it will also look ready to move into, and this is a plus that could make the difference between selling your home fast and having it on the market for an indefinite period of time.
Consider renting a storage space, and begin packing away items you don’t use on a regular basis before putting your home on the market. Your cabinets, rooms, and closets will look much more adequate, and some of your packing will be finished when the time comes to move. This is especially helpful if the house you’re trying to sell lacks adequate storage space.
Landscaping
The exterior of your home is the first thing people see when searching for a new place to live, and many people drive by numerous houses before making appointments for viewings. Don’t lose potential buyers before they have a chance to see what the interior of your house has to offer. Revive old flowerbeds and areas around bushes with layers of eye-catching decorative stones or natural aromatic wood chips, and add vibrant color with blooming flowers and foliage. Make sure the area outside your house is as appealing as possible to attract potential buyers, before putting your home on the market.
