![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() |
Real Estate Information |
|
![]() |
Prepare Your Property Like A Pro And Boost Profits
The housing market is hot, and you've decided to list your home. But what, if any, improvements should you tackle before selling? Should you just leave it all to the new homeowner? There are two ways to look at pre-sale home improvements. You can either improve the curb appeal or the home's outward appearance with quick and often low-cost improvements, or you can make some higher-dollar changes with the goal of adding value to the home and increasing your asking price. The reality is that all houses benefit from a little "spiffing up" before being shown to buyers, and smart home sellers will take the time and effort to do so. If you are selling a home that requires a major repair for recent damages, consider contacting a public adjuster to determine if the loss is covered by insurance. If so, the resulting repairs could significantly boost your home's resale value at little or no cost to you. Learn more. View your home with a critical eye Great curb appeal with immaculate landscaping, fresh paint, tidy closets and cabinets, spotless windows and a clutter-free feeling are essential to make a home really stand out. Impressing potential buyers is often a one-shot deal, so take the time to make some minor improvements that can lead to a faster sale and a higher offer. Assume the role of a homebuyer. Give your home a critical look for dirt, flaws and cramped spaces. Then imagine the work ahead of you if you were to make this your new home. Think of your house as a commodity to be sold for top dollar, and you'll soon be eager to make needed improvements. Drive around and notice well-cared-for homes. Yards are groomed, paint is fresh and entrances are neat and welcoming. Then take an honest look at your home, and roll your sleeves up to tackle the tasks below: * Pressure-clean rust, mold and mildew off exterior walls, sidewalks, decks, the roof and the driveway. * Clean smudged windows and unclog gutters. * Sweep sidewalks and driveways - and keep them clean. * Edge sidewalks and remove weeds along the house and in the garden. * Mow the lawn regularly. * Trim back trees and shrubs that block the street view of your house for a more inviting appearance. * Rake and remove leaves regularly. * Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the roof. * If you lack outdoor lighting, add a front porch light fixture and keep it turned on. Buyers often cruise by after dark to check out homes. * Keep lights that are visible through front windows on for a warm appearance. * If it's in your budget, fresh exterior paint makes a house look like new. * An attractive front door, perhaps with leaded glass inserts, creates a great first impression. But if you can't afford a new door, replace worn handles and locks and apply a fresh coat of paint or stain. * Clean carpets to remove odors and stains Indoor re-dos 1. Every room, even the garage, should be spotless. Hiring a cleaning service is worth the minor investment if you are unable to give your home the once-over yourself. Clean major appliances, inside closets and do not forget to polish bathrooms. 2. Eliminate offensive odors - cigarette smoke and pet odor are permanent turnoffs and kill a sale. Send smokers outdoors, keep pets groomed and their bedding clean and out of the way and vacuum daily. 3. Make inexpensive repairs that greatly improve aesthetic appeal, such as repairing cracked grout, screwing in a loose shelf and replacing a cracked bath tile. 4. Remove clutter. Potential homebuyers can't envision themselves and their belongings in your home if they can't see past all your stuff. A rule of thumb is to eliminate at least one-third of your belongings from each room. If needed, invest in a storage space for your extraneous belongings while showing your home. Other clutter cutters: Store small kitchen appliances and other items off countertops and tables; Remove photographs and knick knacks from tables; and organize closets, pantry and cabinets. Tips for vacant homes Your home should be welcoming to buyers even if it is vacant. Keep your empty home inviting with the following tips: * Vacant homes accumulate stale or mildew-laden air. Leave the heat or air conditioning running (depending on the season) to cut down odors. Set up a few softly fragranced air fresheners. * Keep the lawn and landscaping groomed, even if you have to hire a service. * Put a few lights on a timer switch to come on throughout the day. Improvements that are worth your time While you don't want to take on a major renovation project that could cost thousands right before you sell creating chaos and delaying your listing date, you should examine the list of improvements you might have done if you weren't selling. Weigh whether it is worth your while - and the potential boost to your selling price - to go ahead with the improvements. Here are some tips to add value to your home: * Complete half-finished projects. No one will pay full price for a home that has half-painted rooms or a partially re-tiled bathroom. Now that you're selling, it's time to complete those projects you thought you could knock out yourself but never seem to have time to complete. * Focus on the kitchen. Kitchens, centrally located in many homes, are critical to most buyers. An outdated kitchen can lower the value of your home, and something as simple as repainting cabinets and changing hardware can provide a modern update that can increase your home's value. Add new cabinets and replace countertops and you could add thousands to your asking price. * Paint the interior. Whether you have just a few too many smudges and dings, or your color scheme is too "1980s," it can be well worth the dollar to transform interior walls with a few coats of neutral color. Get bids for the best deal and you'll be surprised by how much better your home looks. * Update or repair light fixtures. You can be sure that during a walk-through all lights will be switched on and questions will arise if a switch yields nothing but darkness. * Repair appliances. Repair any appliances listed with the home or you can expect to not get your full list price. Don't bother You might think adding a pool would increase your return on value but the truth is, most buyers aren't willing to give you the full price you paid for installation. Other major projects, such as adding a new story to your home, adding a master suite or installing carpeting may not give you the return at the sale that you were hoping for. Skip the project and let the buyer perform the projects he or she wants to do. If you need a new roof, you might consider splitting the cost with the buyer. Many buyers are willing to meet you half way on major repair projects, since they will be benefiting from the repairs for years to come. Ready, set, go! Whether you choose to make lower-cost improvements or higher-dollar renovations that can raise your home's asking price, it's a proven fact that real estate listings in great shape typically sell for more than those that are in only passable condition. Time and again, sellers who prep their homes for sale in advance reap the benefits with a faster sale and a higher sale price. Charles Warnock is Manager of Interactive Marketing at Homekeys, a provider of real estate and technology services in Miami, Florida. He writes frequently on the topics of real estate, finance, interactive marketing and business development. Visit http://www.homekeys.net and or contact charles at cwarnock@homekeys.net.
MORE RESOURCES: Costar sues Zillow over photos, claims ‘systematic infringement’ Real Estate News by RealEstateNews.com Blackstone Executive Wesley LePatner Died in NYC Shooting Business Insider Real estate: Home prices climb in Martin, Indian River counties; fall in St. Lucie County Treasure Coast News Real Estate Investment Trusts Score Legislative Wins Forvis Mazars US After 30 years, Linda A. Gary Real Estate moves office from prominent Worth Avenue corner Palm Beach Daily News Seattle-area real estate startup Flyhomes raises $15M as it pivots to 'Buy Before You Sell' model GeekWire Big Moves in Tucson: KMS Realty Merges with United Real Estate Specialists to Expand Services and Reach Morningstar I-78/I-81 Corridor commercial real estate activity picking up Lehigh Valley Business The market is changing — and the industry's old rules are outdated Real Estate News by RealEstateNews.com Real estate: Condo prices rise in Indian River County; fall in Martin, St. Lucie counties Treasure Coast News SRS Real Estate Partners Arranges $7.5 Million Ground Lease Sale of Wawa in Jackson Township, NJ citybiz CREFC Sentiment Index Surges in Q2 2025, Signaling Rebound in CRE Market Optimism Boston Real Estate Times Jersey County property sales recorded July 21-25 Alton Telegraph 10 metro Detroit suburbs where homebuyers can still find a deal Detroit Free Press Troy Furbay has been appointed Managing Director, Hospitality at Crescent Real Estate LLC Hospitality Net ‘Walking beside him’: Daughter continues stepfather’s real estate dream Mountain Home Observer Central Pa. real estate company expands to Georgia Central Penn Business Journal US industrial real estate investor Terreno sells $82m portfolio IPE Real Assets Richland County property transfers recorded July 21-24 Mansfield News Journal Real estate giant Blackstone caught in crossfire after top executive Wesley LePatner killed in NYC shootin The Economic Times Real Estate Expert Jody Wainio of Buyers Choice Realty Shares Advice on Mortgage Pre-Approvals in HelloNation GlobeNewswire Fed Interest Rate Predictions: No Cut Expected Today, July 30, 2025 - Norada Real Estate Investments Fed Interest Rate Predictions: No Cut Expected Today, July 30, 2025 Norada Real Estate Investments Atlanta real estate mogul, former Hawks owner Tom Cousins dies at 93 Atlanta News First RE/MAX revenue continues to slip despite agent gains Real Estate News by RealEstateNews.com Double digit price increases for Putnam real estate Mid Hudson News Delaware June home sales stronger than national numbers; median sold price at record high The News Journal Haag-Brown Commercial Real Estate to open Bentonville office Talk Business & Politics Remote Bookkeeping Services from IBN Technologies improves U.S. Real Estate Firms Financial Oversight Barchart.com Inside Zillow’s summer launch: 5 new tools built for agents - Real Estate News by RealEstateNews.com Inside Zillow’s summer launch: 5 new tools built for agents Real Estate News by RealEstateNews.com Real estate transfers: 7/30 Toledo Blade After 30 years, Linda A. Gary Real Estate moves office from prominent Worth Avenue corner Yahoo Home Universities leverage their real estate amid financial shortfalls and demographic cliff The Business Journals Executive Killed in Manhattan Shooting Was CEO of Blackstone's $53 Billion Real Estate Megafund Realtor.com Top residential real estate sales for July 14-18 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key Your Observer Leading Arizona Real Estate Team JBRE Joins Real Brokerage, Bringing $310M Sales Portfolio Stock Titan News | UK commercial real estate investment slips slightly to £10 billion in second quarter - CoStar Real Estate Transactions | July 14-18, 2025 Republic-Times Inside Hulk Hogan’s $11 Million Real Estate Empire EntertainmentNow Real estate office renovating former daycare The News-Enterprise America's Unhinged Real Estate Market Is Driving Down the Birth Rate Business Insider Christie’s Debuts Crypto Real Estate Division The New York Times The real estate market: 5 key themes to watch this week Real Estate News by RealEstateNews.com Judge sides with LGBTQ+ Alliance in battle with ex-CEO Real Estate News by RealEstateNews.com Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands to auction more than 700 tax delinquent real estate parcels Thursday Hot Springs Sentinel Record Two of Frank Lloyd Wright’s earliest works are making real estate headlines Chicago Star Media Former Patrizia exec joins Oryx Real Estate Green Street News Atlanta real estate tycoon Tom Cousins has died at 93 Rough Draft Atlanta Construction exec John Novak sells Lincoln Park's highest-priced house of the year Crain's Chicago Business Universities leverage their real estate amid financial shortfalls and demographic cliff The Business Journals Real Estate Giant Anywhere Gives 100,000+ Agents Free Access to Canva Enterprise AI Marketing Platform Stock Titan Milwaukee's Harbor District would get a new boutique office building under this plan Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Rusk County real estate transactions The Ladysmith News |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
Investing In Real Estate Investors With the never-ending changes in our Real Estate Markets real estate professionals are starting to pay attention to the sound of new commission streams of income. Some realtors have either shied away or ran-away from such terms as "Cap Rate," & "Cash-on-Cash Returns. How To Increase Your Homes Selling Price by $3,306.75 In The Next 33 Days According to the Federal Housing Finance Board:.. How to Use the Internet to Help Your Apartment or House Hunting So you are looking for an apartment to rent or a house to purchase. One of the most important steps is researching the neighborhood to decide if you really like to live in that area. What You Can Do To Sell Your Home Fast Yes, you want to sell your home and you want to sell it fast. It may be a seller's market and every other home in your neighbourhood is selling and you think it's going to be a cakewalk selling your home. The Real Estate Bubble Fallacy There has been a lot of talk lately about the "Real Estate Bubble", and a lot of folks are asking the question: "When it is going to burst"?They are saying that the market just can't sustain this level of growth and appreciation much longer, and I heat them say that it is inevitable that it must come crashing down soon. People are worried. 10 Ways To Find Investment Properties If you really want the best deals in investment properties, you have to increase your odds by finding more deals. Who is more likely to get a cheap apartment building, an investor that looks through the MLS listings and calls it a day, or the one that uses ten resources? Here are the ten:1. What's Your Style? A Guide to America's Most Common Home Styles Styles of houses vary across the country. From the New England Cape Cod to the Victorians of San Francisco, the choices are almost endless. Think You Can't Afford Your Own Home, Think Again! Do you have bad credit, no credit, filed a bankruptcy, have a ton of late pays, medical bills, or been through a divorce? Well, we have the perfect solution for you - Lease Purchasing your own home!What is Lease Purchasing?A Lease Purchase is a process that combines a basic rental lease with an agreement to purchase, or with an option to purchase the property. The Buyer (or Lease-Purchaser) pays to the seller a monthly payment that usually approximates a rental amount or a typical mortgage payment on the home. How To Get Top Dollar For Your Home - Fast 1. Time is money when selling your homeAfter you've made the decision to sell your home, the longer it remains unsold on the market, the more it costs you. The Irish Property Market - Expensive But Worth It? Lying on the edge of Europe facing out to the Atlantic Ocean sits Ireland, one of Europe's smallest countries and often described as 'The Emerald Isle". A beautiful country characterised by vibrant, colourful cities and towns set amidst endless unspoilt green fields, Ireland is now officially the best place in the world to live. Expense List for Buying a Home There are many expenses that come with buying a home. The following list is a good example of what to expect:Down payment - A minimum of 20% of the home's purchase price is usually required for the best loan terms and to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (see below), but it's entirely possible to buy a house with a smaller down payment. Get To Know About Building Codes & Town Planning Applications, If You Want To Build A House These are real building questions that I received from readers of my e-book, "Residential Development Made Easy" with answers from me, Colm Dillon, and a major USA Construction Master operating in 48 States.Question 1. 10 Tips to Sell Your House Faster! Here are some Handy wee Tips to help you Sell Your House Faster. These are all 'tried and true' tips we've gathered over years of Buying and Selling Houses, so I know for sure that they work!1. Real Estate Negotiation Secrets When you bought your home, you offered less than you were willing to pay, right? That's the most common negotiation technique. For experienced investors, however, that's just one little secret among the many more powerful ones. Maintaining Small Town Charm In An Ever-Changing World Virtually any state in the country has the appeal of multiple small towns. Ask almost anyone who lives in small town why they are here and they'll tell you they enjoy the small town feeling while being close to all the conveniences of a larger city. An Ideal Way to Purchase Your New Home without Strict Banking Regulations You've searched high and low around town looking for thatspecial home for you and your family. Everyone agrees that"this is the one"! Your down payment for the home is largeenough, but you know your credit is terrible, or worse,practically non-existent. Horses In My Back Yard Horses In My Back Yard by Jody Hudson, with Extensive Collaboration From Chris Hudson HORSE LOVERS: During my thirty years of selling rural land, I have frequently found that folks want some acreage so that they can own and ride horses. They LOVE horses in their own mind but have little if any of the real knowledge or experience necessary to raise one or more horses. Real Estate Investing - Finding Cheap Houses Real estate investing expertise can certainly accommodate the luxury home market. In some ways, the upper end of the housing marketplace produces easier success than the lower end. Selling Houses: Cutting Edge Design Tips for Selling In this article, you're going to discover new techniques for marketing houses, and you'll find that these fresh, new interior design ideas will help sell your home faster, and for a higher price than the competition!Buyers' physical senses respond to a home's design, and what a buyer feels is based upon their psychological reactions to sight, hearing, smell, touch, and even taste. Design Psychology employs new strategies in interior design to entice buyers. Budgeting Your Log Home - Creating a Checklist If you've read my first article, BUDGETING YOUR LOG HOME: Where do you start?, you've got a very basic overview of the process. However, there are still a number of questions I'd like to address. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2006 TIGER MEDIA |