When you start to sell your home, you naturally want the best value that is possible. Always little things here and there pop up that need to be done to give you some thoughts on how to get a better comprehensive value for your home.
I am going to give you some things to consider before calling the appraiser. Property values have gone up and down since the decline in the housing industry. Therefore, it is important to be in the know about what can bring about a more comprehensive value for your home.
First, the value of your home is not all, about how it looks; it is about square footage, location, the value of similar homes within the subject’s immediate area, lot size, and much more. However, how well the home has been maintained, has it’s perks.
However, here are some tips for getting your home ready for the buyer’s walk-through:
- Inspect your home as if you are the buyer, not the seller. What would you be looking for? This way you will look for the flaws that need to be fixed prior to hiring a Real Estate Agent.
What should you look for: If you want top dollar for your home, remember that most buyers want as little maintenance as possible when buying a new home.
Things to consider inside:
- Kitchen appliances matter. If your appliances are older and have that used look, you may want to consider getting new ones. The kitchen countertops matter. If you currently have low-grade countertops, it would be helpful to add new ones. The better quality, the better value you will get for your home. The kitchen is one of the main areas that most people consider when buying a home.
- If your bathroom fixtures are old and ugly, you should try to either clean as much as possible, or update. You can update bath sinks for very little funds now since the pedestal sinks are in. You can clean the toilet bowl is stained, and it can make it look like new if it is not too old and stained. Toilet bowls are not that expensive either.
How To clean fixtures: My recommendation for cleaning the rusty looking stain is either a good cleaner and if that does not work you can use a pumice stone. The latter will take every bit of stain from the bowl. * I have done this and the bowl looks new. I now keep them clean by using “Scrub Free” with Oxi Clean. It works better than anything I have tried.
Several methods can be used to clean a stained tub. If it is bad, use the pumice stone (yes, like the one that cleans the rough skin off your feet), as suggested in the above paragraph. You can also try using shampoo or dish detergent. These products are made to take out grease and grime that settles in the hair and they will remove at least some of the caked-on chemicals. Vinegar can also be used to help clean the unwanted stains.
- Floors: Most people want hardwood for most of the home except bathrooms. Many people cannot afford to install true wood floors. However, if you can it is advisable. If you have carpet, and hardwood underneath, take the carpet up and refurbish the hardwood floors.
Hardwood floors are in at this point, and they will make your home look well cared for. Hardwood refurbished will be sufficient, unless they are too damaged.
The other alternative is laminated flooring. There are beautiful types of laminated flooring also, and some can be more expensive with a much better grade.
- Walls: Fresh paint is necessary. It does not have to be decorated colors but walls with a clean fresh coat of paint will increase the value most assuredly for the buyer.
Old wallpaper should be removed and replace with fresh paint unless the wallpaper is newer.
If there are any holes in plaster, bad places, they should be repaired.
- Closet Doors – All closet doors should be easy to open and close. If they are not, they need repair. There should be no obstructions.
- Doors to Bedrooms, Baths – If you live in an older home and do have wood doors; it is not a bad idea to upgrade the doors to your rooms, which includes any room with an entrance door.
General Inside:
Anything you can do to make the inside of your home look as if it has just been upgraded will help the value of your home. When a buyer walks in, they want to see clean, upgraded, and new if possible, UNLESS they are looking for a fixer-upper.
Clean the top of the ceiling with a broom or something to get down the cobwebs.?? If you have a fireplace, make sure it is clean.
Take the time to clean, fix light fixtures, clean light fixtures, and make sure all bulbs are not blown.
Clean light switches. Clean the inside of your outside doors. If they are needing repairs, that should be completed also.
General Outside:
Do not forget to sweep the porches, walks, and steps to your home. If they need a coat of paint, do it in a contrasting color to compliment the outside of your home.
The outside doors should be painted and cleaned. Any obstruction within the door-door frame or seals should be repaired and fixed. The entrance doorways are important. Spice it up to make it look inviting.
Outside storage buildings should be cleaned and look healthy. Clutter is not a positive for buyers looking to buy a home, outside or inside. People want to see a home and garden/yard that looks well-kept and manicured.
Just some hints on how to make the best of the appearance of your home!
*These are only some of those things needed to get the most for the value of your home.
