Getting your home ready to list on the real estate market can sound like a daunting (and expensive!) task, but it doesn’t have to be! It’s true that taking some extra time for listing can help your home sell faster and for more money, but that doesn’t mean you have to empty your bank account to make it happen. Here are 4 free or inexpensive things you can do yourself to get your home ready for new owners!
Make minor repairs
Is there anything around the house that you’ve put off repairing? Maybe a leaky faucet or a crooked cabinet door? Spend a Saturday making those small fixes. For those of us who aren’t as handy, YouTube has a plethora of instructional videos that can walk you through any repair, step-by-step.
Deep clean & declutter
Sweep those cobwebs and leaves from the front entryway, clean behind the toaster, and organize that guest closet. Declutter bedrooms and store any large pieces of furniture that may make the home feel smaller than it is. Don’t just shove belongings in closets, cabinets, attics and basements, as buyers look inside all of those places. A cluttered room feels smaller, and may turn off buyers.
Don’t forget to give the flooring some attention, too! You may want to rent a professional carpet cleaner from the store and go to town on those high-traffic areas. Use stain remover where needed. These can help lift unwanted odors and breathe new life into the carpets, without needing to do a full-on replacement.
Clean the walls & touch up the paint.
If you notice any scuffs or particularly dirty areas on the walls (this tends to happen after decluttering!), take a wet rag and some dish soap to the area. A Magic Sponge also works wonders here!
A fresh coat of paint can make the home feel like new. Focus on bringing in warm, neutral colors; because these shades go with anything, they can help buyers to picture their belongings in your home. If you don’t have time or the cash to paint your entire home, we recommend painting the kitchen, bathrooms, entryway or foyer.
Refresh the landscaping
Take a look at your home from the curb and ask yourself what someone who’s never seen your house might point out. Remove weeds from the flower beds, trim unruly bushes or tree branches, rake the leaves, and use an edger to clean up the driveway. First impressions are made as soon as the buyer pulls into the driveway, so focusing some time on your curb appeal can make a big difference.
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When you live in a home for a long time, it’s easy to overlook the things that are very obvious to potential buyers. Take an objective look from a buyer’s point of view- imagine that you are seeing your home for the first time.
Consider asking friends or family for their honest feedback so you can be sure you’ve done everything possible to make your home look its best before you put it on the market.
If your home needs a bit more done to it to get it market-ready, ask us about our Keller Offers- Ready to Sell program, which allows sellers to optimize their home’s market value while avoiding up-front costs.