Countdown to selling your home. When it comes to selling your home you will have to remember three words. Clean, clean, clean. It all boils down to that and it really does not matter what the house is built like compared to the neighbor..
From experience, REALTORS® also know that a Super clean house house attracs more buyers and will move faster and for a better bottom line. In fact, buyers like a cleaner house because they know it has been taken care of on the surface so most probably also been maintained in the critical areas. When counting down to selling your castle please consider:
how much is in the budget for sprucing up the place
exterior and that all important curb appeal
making the inside shine like a brand new penny How much should you budget for sprucing up Take a deep breath!! You don't have to go and steal a bank to get your house ready. You might put a brand new roof or some other structural up grade, but buyer will NOT pay you enough for it. You want to put your money in little cosmetic "touch ups" or things that make the house look newer like door knobs or just making the living room feel fresher with a neutral coat of paint. The only two places where you get you moeny back is in the kitchen and the bathrooms. Your REALTOR®, who is familiar with buyers' expectations in your neighborhood . Ask and you shall receive the answers.
Making the best of the outside and curb appeal When counting down, take as much time as you need(and as little money as possible) to make the best of the outside and the inside to make it look great! Here are some no non-sense tips:
Keep the lawn looking good. Do the edge, cut it and water it regularly.
Trim hedges severly(they will grow back nicer in no time, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees regularly and severly too.
Pay attention to the foundation, steps, walkways, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling.
If the doors and windows are in bad shape try painting them.
Clean and fix gutters.
Not many chimney in Orlando Florida but if you have one get it cleaned.
Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.
Repair and repaint loose siding and caulking.
Make sure the street in front of your house is clean too.
During spring and summer months consider adding a few showy flower plants, perhaps in pots, near your front entrance.
Re-seal an asphalt driveway.
Keep your garage door closed.
Store RVs or old and beaten up cars elsewhere while trying to sell the house.
Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door.
Maximizing interior appeal Make the best of the inside by:
Giving every room in the house a thorough cleaning, get rid of all the non necesary items. This alone will make your house appear bigger and brighter. Lots of folks with crowded rooms go out and rent storage space and move half their furniture out, creating a sleeker, more spacious look.
Considre hiring a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market. This may be a good investment for owners who are busy elsewhere.
Put away the things that you do not use on a regular basis from the counters, clostes and attics. This will make these areas look and feel more inviting. Maybe holding a garage sale now is a good move.
If you have strong deep colors change them!! Please paint with a neutral color. For me white is king! Try cleaning walls to see if any soil or any area that is dingy can come back to life if not then Paint! Neutral colors should be considered for your flooring too.
Look out for cracks, leaks and signs of dampness in the attic and basement.
Repairing cracks, holes or damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.
Broken or cracked windowpanes, moldings, and other woodwork is going to hurt you tremendously so be proacive and take of that. Inspect and repair the plumbing, heating , cooling, and alarm systems.
Repairing dripping faucets and showerheads. One little trick is to buy some new, nice looking towels to be put out in the bathrooms.
Sprucing up a kitchen in need of more major remodeling by investing in new cabinet knobs, new curtains, or a coat of neutral paint.