Making your house look good for buyers doesn’t have to be a big or expensive job. Here are some basic fixes that will make a difference.
Here’s a quick way to figure out what you need to improve in your home before selling. Go to a show house and make a note of what you look at first, what makes a good impression and what doesn’t.
If you’ve lived in your home for some time, you tend to overlook stuff that might put off buyers. So you could also ask a friend to have a critical look around.
Experts tend to agree on budget improvements that will increase the chance of getting a good buyer and price – here they are.
If you’ve lived in your home for some time, you tend to overlook stuff that might put off buyers. So you could also ask a friend to have a critical look around.
Experts tend to agree on budget improvements that will increase the chance of getting a good buyer and price – here they are.
1. TACKLE THE OUTSIDE - FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
The little things count. If it looks tidy, pleasant and well-kept from the front gate, you’ve started well. So paint or replace the mailbox, fix the wonky clip on the gate and make sure the house number is clearly displayed.
Check your garden. Put fresh mulch in flower beds and seed bare patches on the lawn if there is time for them to grow back. Plant some bright flowers such as marigolds. The colour yellow sells, they say.
Take care of pests. Ants streaming over the garden path or a roach scurrying into a drain makes a bad impression. Spray or get someone to fumigate.
Clean up carefully. If you have porch lights, remove the covers and rinse out the dust and dead moths. Buy a cheap welcome mat for the front steps. The old bristly kind lasts and adds a homely feel.
Pick up toys left by kids or pets in the yard. And dog poo, obviously.
2. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE
Keep it neat. Whether your front door is on a porch or opens straight into an entrance space or the sitting room, make sure things there are tidy and packed away.
Create a cosy space. Don’t line furniture along the walls. Pull the sofa away a bit and turn the chairs in slightly to suggest a cosy social space. Remove furniture that looks too worn and anything that will make it harder to walk around.
Related article: 5 Decorating tips to make your home look luxurious
3. DECLUTTER
Cupboard space is a deal-breaker, so make sure yours are organised and neat. If things are just stuffed in, it looks like your home doesn’t have enough storage space.
The little things count. If it looks tidy, pleasant and well-kept from the front gate, you’ve started well. So paint or replace the mailbox, fix the wonky clip on the gate and make sure the house number is clearly displayed.
Check your garden. Put fresh mulch in flower beds and seed bare patches on the lawn if there is time for them to grow back. Plant some bright flowers such as marigolds. The colour yellow sells, they say.
Take care of pests. Ants streaming over the garden path or a roach scurrying into a drain makes a bad impression. Spray or get someone to fumigate.
Clean up carefully. If you have porch lights, remove the covers and rinse out the dust and dead moths. Buy a cheap welcome mat for the front steps. The old bristly kind lasts and adds a homely feel.
Pick up toys left by kids or pets in the yard. And dog poo, obviously.
2. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE
Keep it neat. Whether your front door is on a porch or opens straight into an entrance space or the sitting room, make sure things there are tidy and packed away.
Create a cosy space. Don’t line furniture along the walls. Pull the sofa away a bit and turn the chairs in slightly to suggest a cosy social space. Remove furniture that looks too worn and anything that will make it harder to walk around.
Related article: 5 Decorating tips to make your home look luxurious
3. DECLUTTER
Cupboard space is a deal-breaker, so make sure yours are organised and neat. If things are just stuffed in, it looks like your home doesn’t have enough storage space.
Take one room at a time. Recycle, donate, give away, sell. If you’re unsure about certain items, put them in neatly stacked tubs. That doesn’t look bad.
A good rule is “reduce by 50 percent”, some say. If you have ten things on a shelf, get rid of five. If you have a row of a dozen mugs in the kitchen, put away six.
Related article: Make your home a lean decluttered machine!
4. NOT TOO PERSONAL
Just for now, put away family portraits if you have many, as well as the child art stuck to the fridge. This helps buyers see the house as a clean slate and imagine what they would do with it.
Take away political or religious items that might have meaning to you, but could offend others. You’re not ashamed of your views – it’s just a courtesy.
5. WINDOWS
Clean them with about half a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in 5 litres of water and, ideally, a squeegee. Some people prefer a dash of vinegar in water. Also good. Clean, open windows sparkle while letting in light and fresh air.
6. GET A SPLASHBOARD
Nothing can spruce up a tired-looking kitchen like a good splashboard. It’s vertical protection behind the kitchen sink which protects the wall from water and spattering food. Peel-and-stick wallpaper will do it, as will vinyl. Or consider a wooden panel painted with chalkboard paint.
Leaking taps must be fixed. Try to replace a kitchen sink tap that looks old and wonky if you can.
A good rule is “reduce by 50 percent”, some say. If you have ten things on a shelf, get rid of five. If you have a row of a dozen mugs in the kitchen, put away six.
Related article: Make your home a lean decluttered machine!
4. NOT TOO PERSONAL
Just for now, put away family portraits if you have many, as well as the child art stuck to the fridge. This helps buyers see the house as a clean slate and imagine what they would do with it.
Take away political or religious items that might have meaning to you, but could offend others. You’re not ashamed of your views – it’s just a courtesy.
5. WINDOWS
Clean them with about half a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in 5 litres of water and, ideally, a squeegee. Some people prefer a dash of vinegar in water. Also good. Clean, open windows sparkle while letting in light and fresh air.
6. GET A SPLASHBOARD
Nothing can spruce up a tired-looking kitchen like a good splashboard. It’s vertical protection behind the kitchen sink which protects the wall from water and spattering food. Peel-and-stick wallpaper will do it, as will vinyl. Or consider a wooden panel painted with chalkboard paint.
Leaking taps must be fixed. Try to replace a kitchen sink tap that looks old and wonky if you can.
7. UP FOR A PAINT?
Old, cracked or damaged paint makes a place look like a lot of work. Paint if you’re up for it and can afford it. Pick neutral colours so buyers can imagine their stuff in the space.
Ceilings look higher if you paint them white or two shades lighter than the wall colour.
8. FIX WATER STAINS
A grey stain on the ceiling suggests a leak and no prospective owner wants that. Get a plumber to fix the leak and then repaint the ceiling.
Related article: A DIY guide to winterproofing your home
9. DO A DEEP CLEAN
You know how to clean your house. Get on a ladder and start with the ceilings and the cobwebs in the corners. Wipe light fittings and picture frames. Move down to the skirting boards.
Appliances that stay behind, such as the stove and oven, should be sparkling.
10. UPDATE THE BATHROOM
If you can’t replace the shower door, clean it with a lime-dissolving detergent. Buy a new shower curtain and tie it back. Hang fresh towels and a bath mat.
Freshen up ancient tiles by cleaning the grout lines. It makes a big difference. Repaint a worn medicine cupboard if you can’t replace it.
Old, cracked or damaged paint makes a place look like a lot of work. Paint if you’re up for it and can afford it. Pick neutral colours so buyers can imagine their stuff in the space.
Ceilings look higher if you paint them white or two shades lighter than the wall colour.
8. FIX WATER STAINS
A grey stain on the ceiling suggests a leak and no prospective owner wants that. Get a plumber to fix the leak and then repaint the ceiling.
Related article: A DIY guide to winterproofing your home
9. DO A DEEP CLEAN
You know how to clean your house. Get on a ladder and start with the ceilings and the cobwebs in the corners. Wipe light fittings and picture frames. Move down to the skirting boards.
Appliances that stay behind, such as the stove and oven, should be sparkling.
10. UPDATE THE BATHROOM
If you can’t replace the shower door, clean it with a lime-dissolving detergent. Buy a new shower curtain and tie it back. Hang fresh towels and a bath mat.
Freshen up ancient tiles by cleaning the grout lines. It makes a big difference. Repaint a worn medicine cupboard if you can’t replace it.
11. REVITALISE CABINETS
Kitchen cupboards will look like new if you paint the doors and replace the knobs or handles. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just as long as it’s in one style and looking good. While you’re at it, go around the house tightening screws on all latches, handles and light switches. Oil anything that squeaks.
12. GET A HOME INSPECTION
Before trying to sell your home, hire a home inspector. Buyers usually have the home inspected, but have one done before putting the home on the market. This will make you aware of issues that may come up during the sale.
Sources: https://www.realsimple.com, https://www.familyhandyman.com, https://hermoney.com, https://www.thespruce.com, https://www.thebalance.com, https://www.familyhandyman.com, https://www.houselogic.com
Kitchen cupboards will look like new if you paint the doors and replace the knobs or handles. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just as long as it’s in one style and looking good. While you’re at it, go around the house tightening screws on all latches, handles and light switches. Oil anything that squeaks.
12. GET A HOME INSPECTION
Before trying to sell your home, hire a home inspector. Buyers usually have the home inspected, but have one done before putting the home on the market. This will make you aware of issues that may come up during the sale.
Sources: https://www.realsimple.com, https://www.familyhandyman.com, https://hermoney.com, https://www.thespruce.com, https://www.thebalance.com, https://www.familyhandyman.com, https://www.houselogic.com
12 VALUE-BOOSTING IMPROVEMENTS TO MAKE BEFORE SELLING YOUR HOME
Reviewed by Edgars Mag
on
April 19, 2022
Rating:
Reviewed by Edgars Mag
on
April 19, 2022
Rating:
