I can’t believe that we are at the end of 2021. What an incredible housing market we have been in. And it doesn’t appear to be over! Homes are still selling in record time. While that is the case, there are things that we can do to help increase our home’s market appeal, and potentially sell our home more quickly.
That being said, I am happy to welcome back guest blogger Penny Martin with a new article she wrote on this topic. I hope you enjoy her article!
If you’re a homeowner who plans to put your property up for sale, it’s important to make sure everything is in the best condition possible. The proper presentation can mean the difference between a quick sale and months lingering on the market.
Even if you have no plans to do serious home renovations, there should be a few essential projects on your to-do list. Decluttering, deep cleaning, improving curb appeal, and painting are the four easiest ways to make your home more appealing to buyers. These projects are relatively inexpensive, and they can really pack a punch, making your home stand out from the competition. The Cleveland Appraisal Blog provides a few ideas below.
Declutter
As soon as you decide you’re going to put your house up for sale, start getting rid of unwanted items in your home. Depending on the amount of clutter in your house, this may take days, weeks, or even months to accomplish. Sort unnecessary belongings stashed in basements, attics, and closets. Decide what to toss, sell, donate to charity, give to friends, or place in a storage unit.
Decluttering your home makes it look more spacious and inviting. It depersonalizes the house so that prospective buyers can more easily imagine themselves living in the home.
Deep Clean
After decluttering your house, spend several days giving it a thorough cleaning. According to the American Cleaning Institute, cleaning is the most cost-effective way to improve your home’s marketability. It makes buyers feel the house has been maintained, while a dirty house can make them worry there are unseen, costly repairs.
If you want to sell your house fast, clean your house from top to bottom, including your closets and cupboards. When potential buyers walk through the front door, you want to make sure they see a neat and orderly home.
Paint
Painting the walls in your home is an effective way to impress prospective buyers. Business Insider reports that “homes with walls painted shades of light blue or gray” sell for more money than homes with walls painted white. Neutral colors, like beige, make a home feel more spacious, light, and airy. They show well in online photos and lure prospective buyers to house showings.
After you repaint your walls, take time to paint your front door, too. Everyone likes a welcoming entryway, and a fresh lick of paint in the right color can add thousands to your selling price.
Boost Curb Appeal
First impressions can make a huge difference, and if you don’t take the time to work on your home’s curb appeal, many buyers may choose not to view your home. Simple updates like adding a new mailbox, home numbers, and flower pots can make a difference. Mow your lawn and walk around your property and pick up any loose branches or debris.
Bigger Projects
The amount you earn from selling your home varies according to your situation, and you’ll want to bear that in mind if you decide to take on bigger projects. Kitchens, for example, are a key area to consider if your home is dated or tired-looking. Creating an updated, pleasing space for families and friends to gather, as well as an area with optimal functionality, can be especially enticing for house hunters.
Bathrooms are the other space to consider upgrading. A bright, clean area with tile or tub surround feels luxurious, and offering natural light and a vanity with ample storage are also attractive additions.
DIY Sale?
While most people choose to sell their home through a real estate agent, others feel more comfortable managing this type of situation themselves. If you’ve decided to go the route of “Sell By Owner,” there is a lot you’ll need to do. Start by having your property appraised to get a rough idea of what you can sell it for, then compare other listings in your area. Next, you’ll want to take professional-grade photographs of your property that you can pair with your listing. Marketing is key too. Start by creating a basic website for your listing with all the necessary information and images. To help boost your presence, add an attractive banner using a free online banner generator, then be sure to use the same banner across any of your social media sites. Selling a home on your own can be quite a feat, so set yourself up for success from the beginning.
Putting your house up for sale requires careful preparation in order to sell it quickly. Smart homeowners recognize the need to make their house look its best in order to find the perfect buyer. By putting in some time making simple home repairs, you are more likely to sell it fast and earn a higher profit.
Photo via Pexels
Thanks so mucy for sharing these tips with us Penny!
I hope you enjoyed Penny’s article! Whether we are planning on selling our home or not, I think these are some great tips to put into practice. And, while homes are selling quickly right now, the truth is, markets change, and at some point, they will probably not be selling as fast as they are right now. So, these tips are useful both now and in the future.
I have been working on some new posts of my own. And I have some fresh ideas in my mind for future posts. I hope you will enjoy them. Stay tuned.
I wanted to take a minute to thank you so much for being here and reading my articles, as well as those of my guests. I would also like to thank my guest bloggers for their great articles over the years!
It doesn’t matter who you are, I am certain that you’ve had a challenging year, to say the least. I hope that 2022 proves to be a better year for all of us, in the long run. We clearly have some challenging days still ahead of us, to be sure. Please hang in there and be safe!
And a big thank you to all in the real estate profession! Whether you’re an appraiser, a real estate agent, a loan officer, an underwriter, a home inspector, a title agent, or anyone else in the real estate profession, it’s been a very crazy year! Thank you for your hard work!
And a special thank you to all of those working in the medical field and to first responders. My wife and I have many friends in the medical field, or who are first responders. We can’t imagine how exhausting this pandemic has been for you all! Thank you for being there for the public! Thank you for continuing to put yourselves in harms way to help the sick to get better! We truly appreciate all that you do!
My best to you all!
I close out this year with a positive song from one of my favorite bands of all time, the Beach Boys! Don’t worry baby! Everything will work out all right!
Have a great weekend!
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Click here to visit their website.
Here are some links to other articles I’ve enjoyed recently! I hope you will also…
2021 Housing Isn’t Over Until We Say It’s Over [It’s Over]- Housing Notes by Jonathan Miller
It’s Time to Grow Up – The Brian Buffini Show (PODCAST)
Appraisal Completion Certificates – be careful! – APPRAISAL TODAY
Real Estate Appraisal’s Future? – The Appraiser’s Advocate (PODCAST)
Is Appraisal Obsolete? Part 4: Education – George Dell’s Analogue Blog
Yes, bathroom renovation before selling a house is always a good idea. May I also suggest installing eco-friendly plumbing fixtures? For example, a high-efficiency toilet. Older toilets can use up to 7 gallons a flush. Most high-efficiency toilets use only 1.5 gallons of water per flush or even less.
These days people are more concerned about their impact on the planet, and this may please them 🙂
Great point!!!
You made a good point about the exterior of a house. it’s important, yeah. I want to suggest another bolder solution – to install some kind of water feature. It can be a small pond (there are many DIY options on the Internet), a fountain, or even a swimming pool. As for a pool, It may seem expensive to install. But houses with pools usually look more luxurious, which can benefit you if you’re thinking of selling your home.
I’ve always love water features! Nice tip!
Good suggestion! Another investment in your home that will provide an excellent return on investment is an HVAC system upgrade. Not all buyers will notice a new and up-to-date HVAC system, but they’ll certainly notice if the system is old or broken. And if you have an older home without central AC, you can bet that the lack of a central AC system will be a red flag to many prospective buyers.