Getting Your Home Ready for Sale Without Breaking the Piggy Bank

Many sellers often make one of two mistakes when getting ready to sell their home: either they spend way too much money fixing up their homes (money that will likely NOT be recouped), or they do not take the time to make some subtle yet important changes that could make the “love it” lightbulb shine brightly in buyers’ heads. The tough economy may make the second mistake more of a reality, but there are some easy and relatively inexpensive ways to spruce up your home in a weekend and on a tight budget.

1. Paint: Painting is one of the biggest “wow” factors in my book, especially if rooms have not received a fresh coat in a while or if all your walls are white. Exterior painting is expensive so unless yours is in desperate need of new paint you can skip that (there are other ways to spruce up the exterior, which I will discuss shortly).

Paint is inexpensive and color is a BIG plus for most buyers. Try to stick to neutral colors, but it is alright to accent with color as long as you pull it all together. Keep in mind when using color that many people follow feng sui principles, so speaking with a color expert at your local paint store, consulting with your Realtor, or combing through home decor magazines or online is a good idea. You don’t have to paint the entire home, but rooms that are most lived in will make the biggest showing difference–like the kitchen, family room and living rooms. The master bedroom is also a big selling point for buyers.

2. Plant: Some sellers hire landscapers to give the yard a boost, but doing it yourself is not only cheaper but rewarding. Local nurseries often sell flats of flowers for cheap. Flowers in the front make a BIG difference in curb appeal. If you can’t afford a lot of flowers, consider sprucing up the areas that make the biggest difference, for example, if you have posts leading to your front door you may want to purchase some inexpensive pots and fill them with flowers. If you have a lot of space by your door you may want to fill it in with potted arrangements as well. If your front yard is all grass you may want to dig a space and add some color there. There is a saying that most buyers decide in less than a minute when they pull up to your home whether they can see themselves living there, so use color and welcoming plants to spice up the curb appeal.

4. De-clutter! This is a no-brainer and although most people have heard it you wouldn’t believe how many homes I show that are filled with clutter. Not only does it look bad and make your rooms seem smaller, but it often makes it difficult for the potential buyers to picture living there, and to see where all their own “stuff” will go. Think of this as a great time to go through closets, cabinets, garages and attics, and make some nice donations to charity or sell items online. Remember that the less clutter that shows, the bigger the house looks.

5. Clean carpets. You can do this for cheap if you do it yourself. Many grocery stores rent machines for around $30, plus the cost of the cleaner, for a day. It is easy to do and you will be surprised what a difference it will make.

6. Open and bright. Clean all window treatments and open them up. If you have a showing you want your house to be as bright as possible.

7. Focus on the kitchen. You want your potential buyers to feel the kitchen is a great space to work in. Clear counter tops and leave VERY little on them. Make sure all your surfaces and the sink are clean. If it is built in or you are including your refrigerator in your sale remember to clean it out and make it look as decluttered as possible for showings.

8. Clean windows. Not only does this give the obvious impression that you take care of your home, but it also brings the outside light in better.

9. Exterior sprucing: Unless it really needs it, exterior painting is expensive and not necessary in most cases. A better idea is to hose off cobwebs, hose down your garage, and hose down your driveway–you may need to rent a high powered hose. Trim bushes and plants that are overgrown, mow the lawn and make sure it is in good shape (you may want to check all the sprinklers if you have brown patches). Clean your front door and sweep the front patio or porch. Replace any light fixtures that have burned out…you get the idea.

10. Clean everything! Finally, give your home a good scrub. Pay attention the to bathroom areas–toilets, showers/tubs and sinks that are dirty make buyers scrunch up their noses. No one wants to buy a filthy home.

Remember, you can do all of the above yourself and most of it can be completed over a weekend, especially if you get the family involved. Happy selling!