Did you know that making some basic updates to your home can make it much more attractive to sellers? And you don’t even need to hire professionals to do the work! Here are six simple ways to bring your home’s appeal up a notch.
1) Paint the Walls & Doors/Window Frames
Wallpaper can be a deterrent for potential homebuyers, so it’s usually recommended to strip away any you may have and paint over with a neutral color. Paint over any loud accent walls as well; that trend is waning! If you’re in doubt over what color to paint, white is a safe choice that the new homebuyer can easily paint over if they wish.
Spackle over any holes or dents in the walls while you’re at it, and don’t neglect the windows and door frames in addition to the walls – these are the exact spots where paint can crack or flake away!
2) Tackle the Floors & Carpet
Remove any old carpet, provided you have an alternative like hardwood floors underneath, a new carpet, or a rug that can fit over the entire floor.
If you already have hardwood flooring, invest in an area rug, which can really pull the room together and decrease noise in the space as an added bonus.
3) Depersonalize Beyond Family Photos
It may go without saying to remove any family pictures from around the house, but don’t stop there when it comes to removing personal items.
Put away collectables/collections, medals, certificates, diplomas, refrigerator magnets, anything religious or political, anything with kitsch, or any object that significantly reveals your personality and lifestyle.
4) Fix Up the Furniture
You and your family may overlook those nicks and scratches on the dining room table legs, but prospective homebuyers will notice these reminders of how this lived-in house is still yours. Add a fresh coat of paint to tables and chairs to eliminate chipping, use furniture polish to bring back some shine, and make use of decorative furniture covers in the living room, if need be.
5) Add These Little Touches to Brighten the Home
Fresh flowers, fresh towels, good lighting, and mirrors are a few of those little touches that take minimal effort, but can really brighten a room. A mirror can not only make a room appear larger, but it can also reflect light, and it serves as a decent stand-in for personal art or paintings you might have removed during the de-personalization process.
6) Don’t Neglect the Curb Appeal
Regardless of the time of year you’re selling your home, the outside of the house is what potential homebuyers are going to see first – and draw an initial opinion on. Remove any dead plants, clean out the gutters, make sure any lawn furniture looks spic and span or is carefully put away, and ensure the grass is lush and mowed. Or, if it’s winter, make certain appropriate walkways are cleared.
As with the walls, door and window frames, and furniture, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders when it comes to the outside of your home, and any porches or balconies.
Home Staging: It’s an Important Part of Selling a House
These small additions, removals, or cleanups of your house can do wonders to increase the “sellability” factor of the home.
As a Certified Staging Professional, I’m happy to walk through your house and make any suggestions on easy changes you can implement that will elevate the home’s appeal. Working with you to make sure your home looks the best is one of the ways I set myself apart from the competition and help you sell a house here in the Lake George and Adirondack regions.
Selling your Lake George area home? Get in touch with me today >>