Tips you can use right now to help sell your house faster!

Beautifying your home will go a long way towards maximizing profits. When it comes time to “showcase” your home for potential suitors, you must consider the overall appeal of both the interior & exterior of your residence. Minor alterations & improvements will make a difference & will actually increase the value of your home. What separates your home from the rest? Is your home ready? Clean now for profits later! Gate Arty & the Group may offer you suggestions on how to maximize both the exterior curb appeal and interior design & decorating. Meanwhile, here are a few helpful tips that may help get you started.

Showcase Your Home

Before you begin, remember to not do anything too expensive, such as remodeling. If possible, use savings to pay for any repairs and necessary improvements. Do not go charging up credit cards or obtaining new loans. Remember that part of selling a house is also preparing to buy your next home. You do not want to do anything that will affect your credit scores or hurt your ability to qualify for your next mortgage.

Here are the top 5 things to think about when you are preparing your home to sell.

Odors

This is the first thing people sense when they enter your home. Your home should have a pleasant, yet not overwhelming aroma. Avoid the overuse of aerosol sprays. More natural alternatives like candles or potpourri may be a better option. Smokers might want to stop smoking indoors while trying to sell your home. Pets are another big concern. They create odors that you may have become accustomed to, but are immediately noticeable to others. For those with cats, be sure to empty kitty litter boxes on a routine basis. Try to minimize pet traffic throughout you residence during the selling process. Many potential customers are extremely sensitive to this issue. You might also try sprinkling carpet freshener on the carpet on a periodic basis.

Carpet and Flooring

Unless your carpet appears old and worn, or it is definitely an outdated style or color, you probably should do nothing more than hire a good carpet cleaner. If you do choose to replace it, do so with something inexpensive in a fairly neutral color. Repair or replace broken floor tiles, but do not spend a lot of money on anything. Remember, you are not fixing up the place for yourself. You want to move. Your goal is simply to minimize or eliminate negative impressions.

Walls, Ceilings and Painting

Check your ceilings and walls for water stains and dust build- up. If you have any leaks, repair them immediately – no matter what the cause or how small the source. Painting can be your best investment when selling your home. It is fairly inexpensive and often you can do it yourself. Do not choose colors based on your own preferences, but based on what would appeal to the widest possible number of buyers. You should almost always choose an off-white color because white helps your rooms appear bright and spacious.

Windows and Doors

Check all of your windows and doors to make sure they open and close easily. If not, spraying a lubricant like “WD40” often helps. If windows are broken or cracked, you should replace them before you begin showing your home. Also check your doorknobs to see if they turn easily and are cleaned and polished.

Fixtures and Plumbing

All your sink fixtures should look shiny and pristine. If this cannot be accomplished by cleaning, buy new ones where needed. Make sure all the hot and cold water knobs are easy to turn and that the faucets do not leak. If they do, replace the washers. Make sure you have good water pressure and that there are no stains on any of the porcelain. If you have a difficult stain to remove, one option is to hire a professional cleaning crew to go through and clean your home on a one-time basis.

Curb Appeal

The outside of your home is the first thing the buyer will see. Most of the time if the buyer does not like the way the home looks from the out side, they will never see the interior of the home. Take a walk across the street and take a good, impartial look at your house. Look at nearby houses, too, and see how yours compares.

Here are 4 things to focus on when working on your home’s curb appeal:

House Exterior

The biggest decision is whether or not to paint. When you look at your house from across the street, does it look faded? If so, a paint job may be in order. It is often a very good investment and really spruces up the appearance. When selecting a color, it should fit well within your neighborhood. Of course, the color also depends on the style of your house, too. If the paint color is adequate, consider pressure-washing away any stains, imperfections, & dirt. This could make all the difference in the world. As for the roof, if you know your house has an old leaky roof, replace it. If you do not replace a leaky roof, you are going to have to disclose it and the buyer will want a new roof, anyway. Be sure to keep trash cans& garbage out of plain sight.

Landscaping

Your landscaping should be at least average compared to the neighbors. If it isn’t, go purchase a few bushes and plant them. Do not buy mature trees, as they are expensive and you will not get back your investment. If you have an area for flowers, buy mature colorful flowers and plant them. They add a splash of vibrancy and color, creating a favorable first impression. Do not buy bulbs or seeds and plant them. This will not give the same desired effect. Your lawn should be evenly cut, freshly edged, well watered, and free of brown spots. If there are problems with your lawn, you should probably take care of them before working on the inside of your home. This is because certain areas may need re-soding, and you want to give it a chance to grow so those areas are not immediately apparent. Plus, you might want to give fertilizer enough time to be effective.

The Front Door & Entryway

The front door should be especially sharp, since it is the entryway into the house. Polish the door fixture so it gleams. If the door needs refinishing or repainting, make sure to get that done. Remove any plaque or mat with your family name on it. Your door mat should look new and plush.

The Back Yard

The back yard should be tidy. If you have a pool or spa, keep it freshly maintained and constantly cleaned. For those that have dogs, be sure to constantly keep the area clear of "debris." If you have swing sets or anything elaborate for your kids, it probably makes more sense to remove them than to leave them in place. They take up room, and you want your back yard to appear as spacious as possible, especially in newer homes where the yards are not as large.