Updating Your Home

When it comes to putting their house on the market many sellers are not interested in investing money into the “old” house.  They are excited about moving into the “new” house and want to spend money on things for the new house.

The problem is that no one else wants to by the seller’s “old” house either.  Think about it, the seller is moving because he wants a nice new home.  Buyer’s today expect resale homes to be in top notch condition.  They do not want to spend time making repairs, replacing the flooring, and painting walls.  Seller’s need to invest both time and money in to the sale of their house if they expect it to sell at all.

Here are a few tips on updating a resale home…

1. Repair/Replace – Update old light fixtures, kitchen & bathroom hardware, appliances, countertops and flooring if it is in bad shape.  Fix anything that is broken and paint anything that looks like it needs it.

2. De-clutter – Pack up items that are not being used.  For example, extra books, games, clothes, collections, and anything smaller than a football.  Clear floors of extra things and remove furniture that is either too big or too small. This will show off the rooms true size and space. 

3. Stage -  A seller should make sure that the entry to their house is welcoming.  Paint the front door, buy a new welcome mat, and add pot of pretty flowers.  It is important to make sure that every room looks fresh and clean.  Cleanliness is extremely important!  Buyers tend to like color, so add a splash of color to what might be considered a neutral room.