Tips for Getting a Higher Price for Your Home
Invest a little time around your home and the return could be worth your time. Before you put up the "FOR SALE" sign, follow these tried-and-true tips that real estate agents recommend:
1. Remove clutter.
Buyers want to see storage space and openness. So it’s time to get rid of the clothes you haven’t worn in years, the furniture you’ve stashed away and the knick-knacks you’ve been hanging on to, “just in case.” They all make your home look and feel more cramped.
Be merciless (you'll thank yourself when you start packing). Weed out every closet and crawlspace. Organize the garage and basement. Keep only those items you use regularly. If you haven’t needed it in five years, let it go.
Consider holding a garage sale, or donating used items that are in good condition to a local charity.
2. Stage and furnish rooms.
Try to show your rooms serving their intended functions. If you have a three-bedroom home, display three bedrooms—not two bedrooms and a TV room. Furnish each room appealingly and appropriately.
3. Catch up on minor maintenance.
Remember all those little jobs you’ve been promising to get around to? Now’s the time to tackle them. Make a room-by-room list. Open every door and window, turn on every faucet, and check every outlet and lamp.
Ensure caulking in the bathroom looks fresh and mildew is gone. Ensure grouting is clean and in good repair.
Repair leaky faucets, oil squeaky hinges, tighten loose doorknobs, make sure windows and doors open and close smoothly, and change the burnt light bulbs. Buyers will notice if you don’t.
4. Brush up on your painting.
Dollar for dollar, nothing does more for your home’s appearance and value than a fresh coat of paint. You don't have to repaint everything; just consider freshening up the rooms that need it most. Use neutral colours inside.
Outside, a gallon of paint on exterior trim, wooden stairs and banisters can also do wonders. Label leftover paint cans for the new owners. Safely dispose of paint cans with colours your home no longer features.
5. Go for maximum curb appeal.
An attractive exterior helps lure buyers inside. Keep lawns mowed, leaves raked up, shrubbery trimmed, walkways and driveways cleaned and weeds pulled. Place a pot or two of fresh flowers on your front porch for a colourful “welcome.”
6. Clean, clean, clean (and keep it clean).
Finally, clean every room—floor to ceiling. Wash the windows. Dust every surface, including windowsills. Consider renting a steam cleaner for your carpets (you’ll be amazed at the difference).
Promise to keep everything sparkling. It can be tough, but interested buyers may want to see your home on short notice. So make it a routine to make beds and do dishes before you leave the house in the morning. If you have pets, you may wish to confine them to one room or area of your home.
After putting in the elbow grease to clean out, fix up and clean up, see what you can do to Prepare Your Home for a Showing.
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