The ability to reap additional profits on the sale of your home can
be accomplished easily enough if you make the right improvements.
Many changes can provide the prospective buyer with enhanced feelings
about your home. Feelings of more space, more light, more rooms,
more closet space, greater privacy, warmth and security. Basic, simple
and inexpensive improvements can provide an improved emotional response
in a potential buyer.
An example could be something as small as a crack
in the paint on a wall. Simply by applying some plaster and touch
up paint, you eliminated what may be an unstated concern that your
home was poorly maintained. Though the feeling may be unconscious,
it’s just as important that the potential buyer feel an overall
desire for your home. If you are working with a small budget these
simple techniques will work absolute wonders:
The Magic of Mirrors!
Mirrors can provide a greater sense of space and elegance when properly
placed. Be careful not to overdo it, but when placed properly throughout
your home, each area will seem larger to the potential home buyer.
Try looking in your attic or basement for any old mirrors, but be sure
they have a nice frame or at least give the frame a new coat of paint.
You may also want to visit a local flea market or garage sale, you
can almost always get a great deal on an old mirror or two. Putting
one foot square mirrors on a closet door in the master bedroom is always
an attractive touch.
Adding Additional Closet Space
One of the biggest complaints heard from potential buyers is that there
just isn’t enough closet space! Simply purchasing an inexpensive
closet organizer and installing it in any or all of your closets
can make all the difference. You can also try putting a rod across
one corner of a bedroom for hanging clothes. Also you could try hanging
a screen made from a variety of materials. The screen could match
the material of the bedspread, drapes etc. The idea here is to be
creative so that the "fake closet" looks as though it was
a part of the room.
Make a Bare Wall Beautiful
Wallpaper is inexpensive, quick and easy to do! The right wallpaper
can brighten the room or hallway and bring it back to life. Be careful
to choose something with a neutral design or pattern, remember you’re
trying to move out.
Bring Old Floors Back to Life!
Nothing turns off a potential buyer quicker than dull, dingy, disgusting
looking floors. Whether you have wax, wooden or tiled floors do whatever
you can to make them shine again! For wax floors, either rent a floor
machine and do it yourself or, if it’s in your budget, hire
a professional. Have a professional give you an estimate and explain
exactly what they would do to bring your floors back to life. If
you have them explain what they would do, it may be just as easy
to do it yourself. If you have carpeted floors you should either
have the carpet steam cleaned or install new carpeting. This may
sound expensive but new carpeting can add thousands of dollars to
the value of your home.
Add Attractive Plants
Having plants in the house is not only healthy for you but you create
a warm feeling with them. Many indoor plants are far less expensive
then you might imagine. Attractive pots such as ceramic, brass or
even designer plastic will add a designer flair to your home. Hanging
plants such as Boston ferns are inexpensive, easy to care for and
would go great in your new home wherever you move.
Adding a Room Without Calling in the Contractor!
This simple but seldom used technique, can give a buyer the feeling
there are more actual rooms in your house. Floor to ceiling room
dividers are inexpensive and simple to install. When a buyer walks
through your home, they will generally count the rooms in a subconscious
manner. Each room will present an emotional response as they walk
through your home. By dividing and designing each side of your room,
you create a " separate room" feeling in the potential
buyer. It may sound crazy but it works!
Clean Up the Bathroom
We’ve probably all heard that phrase a hundred times growing
up as children! Well guess what? It’s still valid. Give your
bathroom a face-lift if needed: fresh paint, decorative moldings, tile
grout, new designer faucets are allattractive eye catchers.
What is That Smell?
Though people don’t like to admit it, everyone's home has a certain
smell to it. We just never notice it because we live with it day in,
day out. Strategically placing fresh scent devices throughout the home
will be pleasant to the nose of any potential buyer. As a matter of
fact, an old Realtor trick is to pop some cinnamon rolls in an oven
5 minutes before a showing. I bet you thought all Realtors just had
a sweet-tooth!
