Are you thinking about putting your home on the market, or
has it been there for a while already? You must think of
your home now as a product. Nothing is for free in this
world. If you want it sold fast for a reasonable amount of
money, listing your home means there is work to be done. The
harder you work on your property, the better the rewards.
Below is a checklist of improvements to consider for the
exterior of your home. In fact, if you follow this
checklist, you may no longer want to leave your beautiful
home! Some of these may or may not pertain to your home, but
that just means you get to check them off faster!
Spruce up you yard! A well maintained yard can be very
inviting. Not only that, but no buyer wants to move in with
yard work to do. There are many different things at which
you may need to look.
- Edge around landscaping beds, sidewalks, and driveways.
- Weed and add mulch to your landscaping beds.
- Trim your bushes and trees.
- Make your lawn green! Mow, fertilize, and water your grass
as needed.
- Get the buyers excited about your home by adding a few
colorful plants and flowers. Color invokes excitement.
Don’t just wash your floors, wash your house. You can take
years off of your home by getting rid of the mildew and
dirt. Spray on a mixture of bleach and water to hose off all
of the grime. You’ll be amazed!
Wash the driveway too! Whether you hire a professional or
do it yourself, this is a must.
If you have a paintable surface on the outside of your
home, how does it look? Painting is the most cost effective
way to improve your home. Whether it is a door, trim work,
the deck, or the whole home, seriously consider updating the
color used. The results will be astonishing!
Get your entryway in order. If you have ever looked at
homes with a realtor, you know how long you find yourself
standing in front of the door while he or she is trying to
get the key. There are just a few things to do here.
- Invest $6 in a new door mat. It will be worth it.
- Clean the bugs out of the light fixture and wipe down cob
webs.
- Clean the windows and the door.
- Add a real plant. Make it an interesting one so they don’t
notice the cob webs above them.
Are there items around the outside of your home that you
no longer use? Whether it is a swing set, old car, or just
plain garbage, throw it or give it away!
Do you have room to add a deck or patio? Today’s
homebuyers are very interested in outdoor living. In a
sense, by adding a deck or patio, you are adding livable
space. If you already have one, make sure it comes across as
comfortable and inviting.
Add outdoor lighting. This can be an inexpensive project
that will show you have gone the extra mile. The buyers do
generally look during the day; however, they will know it is
something they will not have to do. Also, an interested
buyer may drive past at night. What better way for them to
see your home but with a softly lit landscape?
Do you have outdoor pets? Make sure you can’t tell that
you do! Replace damaged grass, clean up the poop, and pick
up the toys, whatever is required to make sure they don’t
notice you have four-legged loved ones. If the potential
buyers do not have pets, they might not find a large
chewed-up bone laying in the front yard so cute. Do make
sure when you are showing the house to put your pet outside
on a leash.
How is the appearance of your fence? If it is not in great
condition, paint it, replace it, or take it out. An
unattractive fence can not only make your property look
dated, but also poorly maintained.
If you have an older home, are there things you are
considering for replacement?
- Install a new door. Although it might cost a bit, if you
buy a stunning door it will set your home apart from the
others.
- If your home is 15 years or older, you may consider new
windows. Not only can they update and improve the looks, but
they are also more energy efficient than older windows.
- How old is your roof? If has been there for more than 20
years, it would be wise to replace it. Home buyers will take
the expense of an old roof into account. If it is not old,
but looks dirty, consider cleaning it. Cleaning solution for
this can be purchased at your local hardware store and will
cost much less than replacing it.
- Is your mailbox unsightly? If it looks like the
neighborhood kids took a baseball bat to it or just simply
weathered, replace it! It is a small price to pay to keep
your home looking well maintained.
These are all things that can improve the salability of your
home. Think about it this way: what is the first thing you
do when going to trade in your car? Hopefully, you clean it
to get the most money for your trade in. You need to do the
same with your home, which is a much larger investment. By
checking off most, if not all, of the items on the
checklist, you will have a clean and presentable home ready
for sale. Good luck and wear gloves!
