To Make It Sell, Fix It Up: Part 2

Our first blog, taken from a recent Washington Times article where I was quoted, listed several basic things you as a homeowner can do to get your house spiffed up so it catches the eye of a potential buyer. They don’t have to be expensive or fancy—just enough to make your house stand out from the crowd.

Now we’ll drill down into the details of four of those actions, saving four final items for next time.

·         Repaint – In contributing to the article, I commented that a fresh coat of paint can make a big difference. And while lots of Realtors recommend neutral colors, I believe there’s also value in something unique, especially if your home is much like others in the neighborhood. Specifically, I stated that, “It may not be the worst thing to have a red or yellow wall so that the property stands out. It’s just wall paint, so it’s not an expensive fix if the homebuyer doesn’t like it."

·         Redo Floors and Floor Coverings – If the floors under your carpets are in good condition, pull up and toss older rugs. Or consider a new tile or laminate floor, which is a quick and inexpensive fix.

·         De-clutter and Depersonalize – Pack away collections and absolutely clean out the closets. Too much stuff makes your house seem smaller and keeps the buyer from visualizing how his or her possessions would fit in. You want the buyers to picture themselves and their things in the house.

·         Repair if Needed; Replace if Necessary – Clogged gutters and roof leaks would be better taken care of now versus having to pay potentially big money later so you don’t lose a sale. But according to Jim Molinelli, an architect with ARDO Contracting in Columbia, MD, you don’t have to go overboard. “If the new homeowner plans on being there 10 or 15 years, they are going to want to redo things their way anyway,” he states.

Try to remember the last time you bought a house and what you looked for that made the sale.  If that was a very long time ago, just try to think like a potential buyer.  Chances are you’ll discover many more ways to implement the steps above.

In our final blog next week, we’ll cover four final actions in detail: Getting Your Documents in Order, Updating, Fixing up Outside, and Remembering the Unseen.

Contact me today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA area! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda, & Whitehall Condominium.