Any suggestions on low cost ways to spruce up my house in order to sell it?
Question:I bought my house foreclosed 2 years ago. Now I am ready to put it on the market. If I do not do anything I'll make approx. $20g up front. However, I want to make the most I can but I do not have a lot of extra money.
Answers:
Freshen up the exterior - that will help get people in the door. Paint is your best bet for inside and outside. If you can't paint the outside, try borrowing or renting a power washer and clean the exterior of the house - it should be safe on brick or vinyl siding, but not wood siding.
Get rid of all clutter and set the stage for your home. Bake some cookies before your open house, get some nice lamps and turn on all lights in the home when showing.
rent a storage and clean out as much "unused" stuff as possible. even if you dont feel like you have too much, it will seem bigger if some of it is gone. take out unnessescary furniture. lighten up on the personal things like photographs on the walls etc. clean it thoroughly, paint walls in neutral colors. do some curb appeal.
Keep it simple. Most home owners look for properties that don't have a lot of "fluff". Color seems to intimidate people. I suggest using neutrals - tans, creams, off white. Also stay away from bright white color - it will show any imperfections. If cost isn't too great of an issue, tile is a nice addition to a home. (flooring, bathroom walls/shower unit, entry way) Lightly decorate the home if possible. By creating seating areas it shows prospective buyers the possibilities in each room. Check out the neighborhood and see what the trends are. Also be sure to make a nice landscaping decision. Curb appeal adds a lot to a home. Even some simple mulch and annual flowers will add appeal to prospective buyers.
Best of luck!
I don't know if it will add much value to your home but one of the best ways to make a home sell quickly is painting in neutral colors. Using an off white on the walls, white on the ceiling and glossy white on the trim makes it very easy for a potential buyer to envision their belongings in the home. Many people do not want to do anything when moving into a new home, so paint schemes that are consistant and neutral are very appealing.
As my dad puts it, "It's a clean slate!"
Cheapest ways to get more bang for your buck is new paint in neutral tones. Honestly buyers will notice the new paint smell, most will like that there has been recent work.
Also make sure that you have removed all unnescessary furnitue and nick-nacs. Clutter is a HUGE turn off for buyers. Seriously, rent a storage conatiner and throw everything in it you can. It will make your place seem bigger and help buyers be able to picture their lives in your home.
Another thing you can do is update any light fixtures. Spend some time making the lawn pretty with colorful flowers and pay to have a professional spring cleaning. All these changes will cost about $500-700 and it is more likely your property will sell quicker.
Good luck!
This may sound weird, but put an oven proof dish and add some vanilla - about 1/2 of an inch. Turn the heat in the oven on low. The smell will permeate the house and when prospective buyers come in, the smell will be welcoming reminding people of home made cookies. Don't forget to turn the over off when you leave or go to sleep.
Also, set the dinner/kitchen table with full place settings so prospects will see what it will be like when and if they live there.
Neatness counts. Everyone says to paint and get rid of clutter and to make the exterior pretty. All of this is true!
Dust and clean everything in order to make a good impression. Fresh flowers are a nice touch.
You want more money? You have to do whatever you can to make the house presentable. A little work goes a long way!
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