If you are like a lot of people who are looking to sell their home in this “down market”, you’re probably worried about your home sitting on the market for a long time only to take a loss when it finally sells. Keeping in mind that it is a buyers market, you can still come out on top, and sell your home fairly quickly, if you take a moment to plan before you execute.
Probably one of the best resources out there for knowing how to increase the value of your home is your real estate agent. It is there business to find value in a home and highlight it to prospective a buyer. A real estate agent can walk with you through and around your home, and point out the small things that can be done to bring big improvements in your home’s value. A little bit of work in the beginning can mean huge returns at closing.
Now let’s talk about some of those small things that can be done to boost your selling potential:
First impressions really do make all the difference, and in this context that means making sure that your yard is looking fantastic. Keeping your lawn beautiful, making sure that flower beds are weeded, power washing the driveway… These are all little things that will pay off as they let the prospective buyer know that your’s is a home that has been well cared for.
Paint, Paint, Paint… Nothing does more to improve the interior appearance of a home than freshly painted walls. It’s easy to do, and costs very little. Make sure that showerheads and toilet seats are brand new and that you get rid of any rust or mildew rings anywhere in your bathroom. Clean and bleach the grout!
Keep your kitchen spotless. Ensure that all food preparation areas are clean enough to eat off of at all times. Keep your oven clean and functional and organize any storage pantries and cupboards.
Rearrange your lighting to bring out the best areas in your home. You want to highlight those things that are good while drawing attention away from any less positive aspects of your home.
Finally… Live in your home in such a way that you would be happy to have a stranger come in and look around at any time with little notice. That means, keeping everything spotless and dust free at all times.
Looking through the list above, and considering other options that your real estate agent might toss out there, you might feel a bit overwhelmed, but in reality, these are easy and inexpensive things that you can do to significantly enhance the value of your home in the eyes of a buyer. The end result, you walk away from your home more quickly and with more money in your pocket.
Posted By Lewis Van Tassel
Lewis is the Education Manager for MDJustlisted.com
specializes in Columbia Md Real Estate
and Baltimore Md Real Estate
