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In a tight housing market, the sooner you can ready a house for sale, the better prepared you’ll be to beat comparably priced homes to the punch. That may seem like an expensive and work-intensive proposition, particularly if you need to sell quickly or if you’re on a budget, but there are many upgrades that won’t cost a fortune or take weeks to complete. Some of the most effective home improvements are those that spruce up your home without making major renovations that may or may not suit a prospective buyer’s tastes.
Clean and Tidy Closet Space
This one is a neat trick that’ll make your home look well-organized and decluttered and appeal to those discriminating buyers who like to pry into every closet and drawer and draw conclusions based on what they see. Storage is almost always a priority item for home buyers, so try removing half the stuff from each closet and carefully organize what remains. You’ll get points for cleanliness and for making the most of your available storage.
More Light
Space flow, and lighting are all popular features for homebuyers. Enhancing the lighting in each room is a great way to make your house look bigger and more spacious. There are many ways to light it up. For example, you can add track lighting or a floor or table lamp to brighten a space that doesn’t get much natural light. Take down those heavy drapes, give your windows a good cleaning, and prune the bushes and trees outside each window. Remember, a bright and cheerful interior is far more sellable than one that looks dingy and musty.
A Classy Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in any house. Much of the value in your home is tied up in this showpiece room, which is why even simple upgrades can make your kitchen such a valuable asset. This is one part of your house where you can rely on recouping a majority of your investment when you upgrade. However, be wary of overdoing it. A relatively simple improvement like replacing dated countertops with a faux granite or even a clean, butcher-block look can add significantly to your asking price. Consider repainting your kitchen cabinets if they’re showing some wear and tear, and add new cabinet hardware while you’re at it. Remember to go with a neutral color scheme if you do repaint.
First Impressions
The appearance of your front door and entryway makes a lasting impression on potential buyers, so be sure it’s a good one. Consider repainting a front door that’s seen better days — it’s a major point of emphasis for most buyers. Add some nice shrubs or flowers around the front door and put down a new layer of mulch along the front of the house. Add a fresh coat of neutral-colored paint in the front hallway, and make sure to repair any scratches, dents or holes. Keep those shoes, galoshes, jackets, and loose papers out of sight and replace them with fresh flowers, scented candles, a decorative wreath, and a new side table.
Keep It Clean
Act like a buyer could drop by at any time by keeping everything clean and well-ordered. Get rid of any mildew or buildup, remove clutter and keep the floors clean. That means keeping the kitchen floor sparkling and the carpeting vacuumed, so make sure to have a reliable, yet affordable, vacuum cleaner on hand. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a small fortune to get a quality unit.
A realtor can help you identify improvements that will help attract a buyer without going overboard on the spending side. Bear in mind that a clean, decluttered, and well-lit space will attract a lot of potential buyers, so focus on the basics.
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