Anyone looking to sell their home in this market is probably nervous about how long it's going to take. You hear some experts saying that this is a "buyer's market." While that's certainly true, many people have to sell their existing home before they can take advantage of the great buying opportunities out there. This means they are now subject to being the "prey" in this buyers market. So, what can you do to make sure that the house you are trying to sell isn't stuck on the market for months and months? Here are a few ideas to make sure your house sells before the house down the street. Most of these suggestions will cost you a small amount, but compared to months and months of carrying costs or reducing your asking price, the cost is well worth the return.
1) Clean up. Your house needs to be spotless. Hire a housekeeping crew to come in and give the house a thorough cleaning....head to toe. Windows, appliances, showers, etc. Then, continue to pay someone to come in at least every other week, if not every week to keep it looking clean. It's easy to let dust pile up and shower doors get streaky very quickly. No one wants to buy a house that they will have to clean before they can even move in.
2) De-Clutter. Most of us have too much stuff. Collectibles, extra furniture, too many nick-knacks on the wall. I suggest moving as much of the "stuff" as you can to a mini-storage unit, or if you have them in your area, renting a portable storage container like PODS. This makes your house look bigger and brighter, and allows the buyers to envision what the home will look like with their own possessions in the house.
3) Freshen Up. If you have a room with a wild paint color or holes in the wall, buy a couple of gallons of paint and spend a weekend repainting those rooms a nice neutral tan or off white. This is one of the cheapest ways to give a room a whole new look. We like the low VOC paint from Benjamin Moore. While you're in the painting mood, your front door can use a new coat of paint or stain.
4) Green-Up. The first thing the prospective home buyers will see is the front yard. Make sure any dead plants are removed from the stoop, pull all weeds from the landscaping, water your healthy plants, and stop by the home improvement store for a bottle of overnight fertilizer for your lawn. These products attach to your garden hose and can green your grass within 24 hours. If your grass is still totally brown from the winter weather, it won't help, but if it's starting to turn green it should help.
5) Modernize. If your home is really out of date, it can pay off to do some updating. This is the most expensive way of getting your house ready to sell, but in the end can pay off the most. Old light fixtures, ugly door hardware, worn out carpet, and outdated kitchens can be major stumbling blocks when it comes to selling your house. You will want to consult with your real estate agent on this one, as you can quickly spend more than you will be able to recoup from the improvements, but in many neighborhoods where home values are relatively high, a renovation may very well be worth the investment. Some of our favorite ways to upgrade a home include new track lighting, modern door knobs, or a new farmhouse sink. Interesting touches like these can be the thing that tips the buyers decision in your favor when it comes down to decision making time.
A few dollars and a little bit of time can add up to huge improvement on how your house shows to prospective buyers. The biggest mistake sellers make is not spending any money getting their home ready to sell because of the fear of having to accept a lower sales price. Unfortunately, most of us are all in the same boat here, and lower prices are a fact, but spending a few dollars on the right thing can pay big rewards in the end.
|
Matt Roberts is President of MJ Roberts Enterprises in Springfield, MO. Farmhouse Sinks can be found at Lavello-Sinks.com. Moving containers are available from PODS.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_J_Roberts |
