Spruce Up Your Home for a Sale

It doesn't take a ton of money in this tough economy to make some inexpensive improvements to your home. You might be looking to sell, or possibly you just want to rent the property to a tenant. I have owned a few houses through the years and have benefited from making small changes. Let me say up front that I am not the handiest guy around. Far from it! I am also not talking about room additions or major renovations. That is out of my budget and expertise. Nonetheless, by trying projects on my own, enlisting the help of friends and family, and hiring tradesmen, my wife and I have managed to spruce things up in inexpensive ways that have ultimately reaped some financial benefits.

Paint Is a Cheap Fix
Nothing prepares you to sell your home more than a coat of paint. Neutral colors make the home more appealing and easier to market. Wait until the local paint store has a sale and then stock up. Spray painting seems to be the best option for the exterior. You may need to hire a professional for big jobs. In that case, get referrals and bargain on the cost. You want quality work, but don't want to overpay. Get references, and never pay anyone completely upfront for the job.

New Appliances Entice the Buyer
Do your appliances look like they have been around since the 1970s? Before you put your home on the market, think about replacing the appliances and including them in the sale. The government may give you a tax break if you opt for energy efficiency. Check with a tax pro on that. Your utility company may give you a rebate as well. A new refrigerator, stove, or dishwasher will dress up your kitchen and appeal particularly to the potential lady of the house. Win her over with an attractive kitchen. A new streamlined faucet is a plus. Make sure everything is extra clean.

Landscaping Is Often the Reason Buyers Simply Bypass a Home
When selling your home, you want good curb appeal. If your front yard is bare, now is the time to add colorful flowers and purchase plants from your local nursery. Don't scrimp by buying small plants, shrubs, or trees. Get bigger sizes that look more mature. You don't want people pulling up, only to drive away after seeing the front yard. Select landscape that requires as little water as possible. I have no green thumb, so I always ask my local nursery or home-improvement store what is best for my area. Make sure your lawn is neat and trimmed. If you have a desert landscape, that's fine, but some extra plants may add more life to the yard's appearance.

The Front Door Speaks Volumes
The first thing buyers see on the house is your door. If your front door is worn, paint it a nice color that stands out, yet blends well with the tones of your home. Maybe the door even needs to be replaced. Simply putting a new handle on and a brass plate on the bottom of the door will dress it up.

Get Rid of All Clutter
If you are trying to sell, get rid of the junk! Remove personal items. Most people are not interested in seeing a lot of family pictures, knick-knacks, or souvenirs from your summer vacation. They'd rather picture their own items in the home. Organize closets, drawers, and the garage so they appear roomier. Maybe it's a good time to have a garage sale or to make a trip to the Salvation Army to donate items. Depending upon volume, you might be wise to rent a small storage unit.

The final touch should be shampooing the carpeting and cleaning the windows. Remember, when buyers see neglect, such as burned-out light bulbs or tubs that need caulking, they tend to think that the seller is lax in caring for major issues in the home as well.

There you have it...some inexpensive ideas that will improve the worth of your property and make your house feel like a home to potential buyers. Once you make all the changes, you may even decide not to move!

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