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MAKEOVERS MARKETSMART IMPROVEMENTS EVERY SELLER SHOULD KNOW
Makeovers That Sell 20 Secrets to Increase Your Home's Value and Pocket More Cash When You Sell
Everyone has a favorite pair of old shoes. You know the ones they're broken in and fit just right. But those old shoes would never get a second look if they were for sale. The same goes for homes. Those that appear shopworn, like an old pair of shoes, don't appeal to today's buyers.
Your home has only one chance to make a good first impression. The secret to getting the most for your home when you sell is to spend some time, effort, and money beforehand getting it ready to sell. If you make the right improvements today, you'll sell faster and pocket more cash tomorrow.
By making "market smart" improvements, you'll come out ahead. Of course, every home can benefit from lots of elbow grease. But you can realize bigger returns when you go a step further with a few "bestfootforward" improvements. The secret is NOT to undertake major remodeling projects before you sell. Spending too much on too many projects just drains money out of your pocket.
Before deciding which fixups are right for your home, call on me your neighbourhood real estate specialist. Together we can strategically pick and choose the smartest fixups that will really make a difference.
Here are 20 secrets successful home sellers use to impress prospective buyers and bring a topdollar sale. Keep in mind the secret is in selecting the smartest makeovers that will have the maximum impact on your home's value and marketability.
SELECT THE BEST TO HELP YOU SELL
On the Outside
| 1. | Resurface the driveway and redo the walk so your home makes the right "caredfor" first impression; |
| 2. | Install a new front door with brass fixtures to make your entry welcoming, then paint or stain the door surround; |
| 3. | Replace the garage door and install an automatic opener; |
| 4. | Put in a new flower bed, green up the lawn, and replace any overgrown bushes in front; |
| 5. | Power wash your siding and deck, and repaint the trim or, if needed, the whole house; |
| 6. | Consider soughtafter double or triplepane windows or storm windows and doors that keep the temperature indoors comfortable all year round; |
| 7. | Install or upgrade porch and pole light fixtures to give your home a touch of elegance; |
| 8. | Redo the roof and gutters to guard against hidden leaks. |
| On the Inside | |
| 9. | Repaint all interior walls using a neutral colour to make the whole house shine; |
| 10. | Install new carpeting and vinyl or ceramic flooring; |
| 11. | Refinish wood floors to give that "new house" look; |
| 12. | Hang new chandeliers, recessed or track lighting to make pleasant rooms brilliant; |
| 13. | Keep things cool with attractive ceiling fans; |
| 14. | Add elegance by replacing switch and outlet plates and register vents with shiny brass ones; |
| 15. | Make over the kitchen; new countertops and appliances will help it sell; today's buyers want a disposal and dishwasher; consider replacing or refacing cabinets to bring them up to date; |
| 16. | Replace bathroom lighting, toilet seats, medicine cabinets and bathroom hardware to bring a sparkle that goes beyond clean; |
| 17. | Update your home's energy efficiency, possibly with a new furnace or additional insulation and new weather stripping so it costs less to operate; |
| 18. | Install cable TV lines and an extra phone line to the best room for a home office even if you don't need them to upgrade your home's electronic capabilities; |
| 19. | Reorganize and add closet shelves to make closets function better and appear more spacious; |
| 20. | Buy that new living room sofa or family room furniture you planned for the new house to improve the look of the home you'll be selling. |
BENEFIT NOW AND LATER
If you fix it up now, you as well as your future buyer will enjoy living with the marketsmart improvements you've made. Don't forget to save your receipts, as some of these expenses may be used to decrease any capital gains taxes you may owe someday. It's true "you've got to spend money to make money", especially when it comes to selling a home today. Call on me to make sure you spend it wisely in ways that really make a difference.
3 BIG REASONS TO FIX UP BEFORE YOU SELL
"Why replace and update now, especially if we're serious about selling soon?" is a question I'm asked often.
First, because you'll increase both the value and the marketability of your home.
Second, because many of these repairs would be required by the buyer or the buyer's home inspector anyway. Now's a better time to fix up than the last minute when you've got the sale of your home hanging in the balance. Third, you've now got the luxury of time and can seek out the best professionals to help with your projects.
WHY MOVING OFTEN BEATS REMODELING
Are you wondering … Now that you know how to fix up your home, why not make some improvements and then stay put? Consider these reasons:
- If your home was too small, too far away from work or family, had the wrong floor plan, or lacked the features you really want, your fixedup home will still not suit you well.
- If you choose to remodel, you'll find yourself living in a construction site and overseeing the many phases of building.
- If you pay to remodel, chances are you'll recover less than 100% of what the remodeling cost.
