Your Guide To Improvements That Sell Homes Faster
(And Get Higher Offers)
“I will forever believe that buying a home is a great investment. Why? Because you can’t live in a stock certificate. You can’t live in a mutual fund”
~ Oprah Winfrey
If you’re getting ready to list your home for sale, then you have probably considered making some upgrades to help your house sell quickly in a competitive market. Getting the most profit when selling your house usually requires you to invest in some home improvement or repairs. There is great potential to spend a little and earn a lot in return. Regardless of your specific situation, many homeowners getting a house ready to sell ask these common questions.
What will help my house sell faster?
How can I get the highest asking price for my home?
Is it worth it to remodel before selling my house?
These are all great questions and if you’re thinking about this, then you are on the right track. If you’re also wondering Why is my home not selling? -These tips might include a few key items you have overlooked. If you’re willing to get these critical areas into top showing condition, you will be on the road to a successful real estate experience.
What's the right answer?
While there is no single correct answer that can apply to every property being sold, there are a few guidelines to follow. We have been contracted by many homeowners getting a house ready to sell before the property is listed on the market. Over the years we have been asked these types of questions on many occasions. In this article we will try to pass on some of our experience for the best ways to get your house ready to sell faster and bring in higher offers.
How to use this guide:
There’s a lot of information we want to provide on this topic and it might not all apply to your specific situation. To help make it easier we have created a menu of links that will scroll you down to the sections that interest you.
For each of the topics covered here we will try to break things up into a few categories whenever possible.
At a minimum – The things you absolutely need to do before you show your property.
Taking things a step further – For people preparing their property for sale that are on a limited budget or timeline.
For best results – These options may cost you a bit more time or money, but should yield the best outcome.
Topic Menu:
The Selling Mindset: Being objective about your property
The Exterior
Curb Appeal
Paint or Wash?
Landscaping
Outdoor Spaces, Patios, & Decks
The Roof
Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor Storage & Parking Areas
The Interior
Kitchens, Kitchens, Kitchens!
Bathrooms
Floors
Windows
Storage & Closets
Interior Lighting
Doors, Trim, & Millwork
Walls, Paint, & Decor
Before we dive in too far, it’s important to distinguish a few factors that will help guide your decision making in this process.
A few of the common questions people ask are:
Should I move out before selling my house?
How much should I invest to get my property ready to sell?
Is it better to hire a professional or make some repairs myself?
Let’s weigh the pros and cons of these questions
Should I move out before selling my house?
Yes, if possible move to an apartment or AirBnb before your home starts showing. At the very least rent a storage space and move as much of your personal things out. Home buyers want to envision themselves living there and not feel like they are in your home. By the time you have your open house you want to create a space that helps potential buyers see themselves living there.
How much should I invest to get my property ready to sell?
The answer is almost always yes! The amount of investment required to maximize a property’s potential value can vary based on the starting condition of the house and the market value in your area. While making repairs would be the first step, you can also consult with your real estate agent to get their opinion on what improvements to make. Some of these improvements will be “low hanging fruit” and might cost you little to no money.
Is it better to hire a professional or make some repairs myself?
It is really going to depend on the type of home improvements you are considering, as well as your budget and time limitations. It’s important to consider how confident and qualified you are to make the repairs and improvements as well. While it’s true that upgrades will help your house sell faster and get higher offers, buyers can spot poorly done work. Most people will assume that if the finishing touches don’t look good that there will be bigger issues in areas of the house that they cannot see.
The correct answer is possibly a combination of DIY and professional work. In this article we will dive deeper into some common home improvements to sell your house as we discuss each area. We have even given some pro tips on the types of jobs that you can do yourself.
The selling mindset
The trick to selling anything is seeing things through the eyes of your potential buyers and not being biased by your personal perspective.
In the case of selling your home, consider that other houses on the market are putting their best foot forward and you should be doing the same. It’s highly recommended to consult a real estate broker before you are ready to list your house. They can be a great source of information on your local market and what types of improvements can yield the best outcomes.
Some truths are universal though so we will be driving home a few points over and over again in this article.
Remove the YOU from your house
Make space for potential buyers to see themselves living there. Ideally you should take down and store all of the personal touches that make the house your home. Remove all family photos, kids toys, signs (and smells) of any pets, and all of the clutter in the storage areas of your property.
If you haven’t moved out of the house by the time it’s listed, plan to move all of your nick-knacks and personal items into storage. Anything that is essential for daily life should be neatly organized or kept in plastic tote bins during showings. Declutter your house so anyone looking to put in an offer can see all of the potential without having to overlook your stuff.
Odor is another factor because we all have strong reactions to smells. You probably don’t smell anything when you’re in your own home, so ask someone who will give you their honest opinion to come walk through your house before you list it. By the time you have an open house the only thing they should smell is a clean space. Don’t use candles or popuri to create a scent either as it may give the impression that you are trying to cover up a problem.
PRO TIP> Baking cookies and brewing fresh coffee before an open house is a widely used practice, but be sure to have some for people to enjoy if you use this tactic.
Create a neutral canvas
Your idea of home decor and the perfect color pallet may not appeal to everyone. Consider painting over richly colored accent walls. Decorate with something neutral and consistent with the rest of the house.
Don’t settle for “if it was good enough for me, it will be good enough for the next owner”
You may have gotten used to the squeaks and creeks of your house, but to potential buyers it may signal that the house is in need of maintenance or repairs. A quick shot of WD-40 to the hinges of door hinges will quiet those right down. Wonky knobs and handles should be tightened up or replaced. A few new fixtures here and there can quickly update a vintage home decor.
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The Exterior
Let’s start with the exterior of the property because it’s the first thing that anyone coming to view the house will see. It doesn’t matter that you may have a world class kitchen if people don’t feel compelled to come inside and see it. This may be your only chance to bring buyers to your door because when it comes to real estate, people do judge a book by it’s cover.
Curb Appeal
You will hear this term a lot when talking about real estate listings. You only get one chance to make a first impression so it’s worth taking the time to get it right. Try taking a walk across the street from your property and look at the house with an objective eye. Then look at the other houses on either side of it. Make a list of the things that could be improved starting with the easier items.
Here are some things to consider
Are the bushes growing in front of the windows or trees casting shade over them?
Does the driveway have oil stains from your cars?
How inviting is the entrance and is the address easy to see?
Is the roof looking tired or growing moss on it in shady areas?
What is the state of the lawn or landscaping?
Does the fence around your property have a few missing or broken boards?
Do the properties on either side reflect negatively on your house?
While that last topic may be somewhat out of your control, you might be surprised how receptive your neighbors would be to having you paying a landscaper to come detail their lawn or trim their hedges. You might feel reluctant to approach your neighbors, especially if you’re not that familiar with them. A few ‘please and thank you’s combined with a gift card to a local restaurant can be a worthy investment if it helps you close on your house faster or increase the offer amounts you receive. You may have become used to the neighbors lawn looking like an overgrown jungle, but people looking to buy your home may assume the worst about their new potential neighbors.
The Neighbors yard?
In extreme cases or with neighbors that can’t be reasoned with, you may need to involve your local authorities or HSA. This should be a last option though as it can cause even more problems with unreasonable neighbors. If this is the case, it might be better to erect a high fence or plant a tall row of bushes to obscure the view to their property.
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Painting the house?
To paint or not to paint?
A typical house needs to be painted every 5 to 10 years. This will vary depending on the weather and the quality of the previous paint job. Painting the house is one of those jobs that most people can do themselves with mixed results. It takes a lot of prep work, but it’s manageable for those with the time and ability. If you have the budget to get the house professionally painted the average cost of painting a single story 3 bedroom house in Seattle will be somewhere between $4500-$6500.
Getting rid of the green.
Houses in the greater Seattle area suffer from the long Pacific Northwest wet season. This means that even houses with recent paint jobs can start to look faded. An alternative to painting, is to pressure wash the sides of the house. Usually the North side of the house or any shady areas will be the first to have that familiar green hue that we have grown accustomed to. While it’s possible to have your house professionally pressure washed, you can also rent a gas powered unit at a reasonable rate and do it yourself in about a day. In most cases you will want to do this even if you are planning to paint because paint will not stick to dirt or areas will mildew.
At a minimum If you don’t have access to a pressure washer then a hose and scrub brush is better than nothing.
A step further would be to give your house a good pressure washing and add any caulking around the windows if you notice it’s wearing out. Painting the front door and the trim around the windows can give the house some added ‘pop’. If some areas of the exterior need to be touched up, be sure to feather them in so as not to cause an obvious touch up. However, this can easily lead to painting the whole side of the house because touch ups become harder to blend as paint fades in the sun.
Best of all would be to give the whole house a fresh paint job if it’s been more than five years or you could benefit from a more appealing color.
> PRO TIP!
Using a pressure washer on your house?
Be sure to angle the stream of water downwards as most siding will overlap and is meant to shed water from the top down. You may need to use a step ladder to achieve this downward angle at the top of the wall. We don’t recommend sitting on the top of a step ladder because the initial pressure from the hose may cause you to lose your balance.
Take special care around doors and windows as you may force water into any gaps or cause weatherproofing to become dislodged. A good rule of thumb is to use lower pressure (or stand farther away) in the sensitive areas so you don’t cause paint to blister and flake off. If this happens, it’s probably time for a new paint job anyway.
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Landscaping
Some houses have beautiful gardens and neatly kept hedges. If this is your house then congrats, because this will be a great selling point. Just be sure to have everything looking fresh before the house goes on the market. For the rest of us there is probably anywhere from a little, to a lot of work that could be done in this area.
At a minimum you should make sure the lawn is neatly mowed and the edges near any paved or transition borders look straight and manicured. If your lawn has some bald spots you will want to address that either by adding some sod or turning that area into a raised planter bed. If you have any planter areas that need mulch it’s a good idea to freshen it up with a layer of composting mulch on top. Trim the bushes so they look well maintained paying special attention to any bushes or trees that block the light or views around the windows and doors.
Better still you can consult with a landscape designer. They will offer you a few options to take your outdoor spaces to the next level. Depending on your budget and timeline, you can hire them to complete the design that works for you. If you’re on a tight budget, pay them for the design work and do some or all of the work yourself. However, gardening and landscaping require special care and knowledge. We don’t recommend trying to save a few dollars doing this on your own if you don’t have experience in this area. The last thing you want is for your landscaping to come undone just as your property is showing or about to close.
For the best results hire a pro that comes recommended to give your landscaping some touch ups or a complete makeover. Get a quote for them to trim the neighbors lawns too if they are looking undesirable Be sure to get the neighbors permission before they go forward with any work. A freshly manicured lawn the day before the open house or marketing photoshoot will make your house look like a rockstar.
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> Expert advice:
We asked Tony Sacco of TS Landscaping Design what advice he gives property owners looking to improve curb appeal.
“Make sure to have proper pruning of trees and shrubs, especially around the entries and exits to create a clean look. Foundation beds as well as other key beds should have sharp clean edges and the main beds could probably use a layer of composted mulch. Think about adding a few containers with plants & color to make things pop. If the beds don’t look great, remove plants that don’t make sense or are nearly dead. Some stonework or boulders in dry areas help make things look more sophisticated.”
Outdoor Spaces
Since we are already talking about landscaping it’s an easy transition to focus on any outdoor spaces that potential buyers will be looking at while they evaluate your house for sale.
As with other areas of your property, you should remove any clutter or ‘yard art’ that will draw attention away from the spaces that you are trying to showcase. Neatly store or remove garden hoses and if you have a small tool shed for the mower and yard tools, make sure it’s looking clean or well painted. If the shed is an old rusty eyesore, it’s probably better to just remove it altogether.
For anyone with a hot tub, pool, or water feature, be sure to have it looking clean and inviting. In most cases, above ground pools should be removed and grass or plants added where they were sitting.
At a minimum give everything a once over with a pressure washer. This should remove any stains from the pathways or moss that’s grown over the wet season.
Decks need to be resealed every other year on average to protect the wood and keep it looking good. Some deck sealers are clear and others will have different levels of stain, so either match the color you have or you can make it a shade darker if that will look good. Any wooden fencing around your property can get the same treatment.
For better or even best results, replace any worn out deck boards or consider adding a new railing cap to your decks. Replace any sections of fencing that have become broken or look like they might fall over in the next few years.
If the outdoor spaces are one of the key features of your yard, consider hiring a pro to do a professional looking job and stage them with some luxury outdoor furniture. A few hanging baskets with flowers can also be a great way to accessorize the outdoor areas of your home.
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> PRO TIP!
Reseal and staining your deck?
If you’re going to stain and seal the deck yourself, give it a GENTLE pressure washing first and let it dry for up to a day before you apply the sealant. If you’re using a sealer with pigment, we suggest watching a few tutorials online before you get started. It’s not extremely difficult, but there are a few things to be careful of when using a stain & sealer combo. You should try practicing on something that nobody will see first and be sure to have the can mixed at the store or well stirred before you get started. If you will need more than one can of stain / sealer combo, it’s best to mix them together into a large bucket before getting started. This way you can avoid a line if they don’t perfectly match.
The Roof
In our wet and grey Pacific Northwest winters, even roofs that are only a few years old can start to get growth on them. On a typical Seattle house, the north side and anywhere a tree casts a shadow is where we find this. A dingy roof or gutters with twigs sticking out of them can signal potential issues to your buyers.
The good news is that roof and gutter cleaning services are relatively inexpensive. While it’s possible that this is something you can also do yourself, we don’t want to encourage anyone to climb up on their roofs without proper fall protection equipment. It is also easy to damage your roof while trying to clean it. This is one job that is better to hire a pro for.
If your roof is close to the end of its life, consider getting a quote to either replace the roofing or adding another layer of asphalt shingles on top of it. The cost is not insignificant, but if it comes up in the home inspection, the buyers may reduce their offer by more than it would have cost you to have it done.
At a bare minimum, make sure all of the downspouts are connected and not clogged. You can use your garden hose to check this. Walk around the outside of your house and evaluate it with an objective eye.
For better or best results, have the roof and gutters serviced and cleaned. If the roof needs replacing, get some quotes and have the work done before you get to the negotiation stage of the sale.
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Outdoor Lighting
You might think that the lighting around your house isn’t very important because the house is typically shown in the daytime. To a point you would be correct, so we won’t spend much time talking about it.
That said, if your front porch light is old, dull, or even broken, go ahead and upgrade or replace it. The entrance to your home is part of the first impression, so it’s worth spending a little bit of your budget to add a touch of class with a new light fixture. Whenever possible be sure that your outdoor lighting shows on your address as well.
If you have other outdoor lights, such as pathway or toe lights on your stairs, be sure to check that they are all working. Some property hunters drive by houses in the evening, but you can leave these on during daytime showings as well because people will notice them. If you’re outdoor lighting is especially nice, consider adding some photos taken at dusk in your online marketing as well.
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Parking & Storage
People have a lot of stuff and we all want space for our stuff. That’s one of the things buyers will be evaluating when they come to look at your property. By making spaces appear large and organized you are helping home buyers see the potential of your house as the ideal space for themself.
Do yourself a favor and move almost everything that isn’t coming with the house at closing into a storage unit if you are still living on site. If you can’t move everything out, make places like the garage look as neat and organized as possible. The same goes for a backyard tool shed if you have one. Get these spaces decluttered and cleaned up as much as possible.
Parking can be a huge selling point for many home buyers as well. If your garage has room for a car, be sure that a car can actually fit there. If the garage door opener needs to be serviced, have it in good working order before the house is open for showings. Just as you will do indoors, go over the moving parts with a can of WD-40 or lubricant to silence any squeaks or creaks.
Any parking areas, garage or carport, will look better without oil stains. If you can’t pressure wash them as mentioned earlier, try soaking up any stains with some kitty litter for a few days, then sweep it up. For garage floors that still don’t look clean, an epoxy floor paint might be the best solution. Be sure to clean the floors first and follow all the instructions or the paint can fail and start to come up.
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The Interior
Once you have worked your magic on the outward appearance of your house, it’s time to match the expectations created from the curb appeal inside of your home. Real Estate experts say that a house is typically judged by buyers within the first 8 seconds of entering the home. The overall experience that you’re going for is clean, bright, and spacious. By the time you are ready to list your house on the market, it should look better than it ever has. If you start thinking you almost wish you could change your mind and keep living there, then you have done well!
So let’s get into some specifics.
Kitchens, Kitchens, Kitchens!
Kitchens sell houses. We spend more time in the kitchen on average than any other room of the house. There is so much variety when it comes to how kitchens can look and function. It’s also the one room that is commonly the center of entertaining friends and family. So it makes sense that the kitchen is one of the biggest factors people consider when putting in an offer for a house being sold.
A lot of people think they need to completely remodel the kitchen before putting their house up for sale. While that may be necessary in some cases, your total return on the investment to remodel will depend on how you make upgrades. That said, if the kitchen hasn’t been updated for 1-2 decades or more, some level of upgrades will be worth the time and money spent. This question is really a conversation you have with your real estate agent before you get ready to sell. They will have the best idea of what comparable homes in your area have and how specific upgrades can increase your market value.
While we can’t address every kitchen, we can give some general tips based on different levels of budget and starting point.
Cosmetic Kitchen Face-lift
At a minimum we recommend replacing outdated kitchen hardware on the cabinets and doors. Try going with something that has a modern look such as a brushed nickel or solid steel finish. Another simple thing that can be done is to replace all the lightswitch and outlet covers with simple white plate covers. An electrician can easily convert outlets to GFCI if they aren’t already. This has become the standard and it might be brought up in the home inspection.
It probably goes without saying, but clean, organized cabinets and drawers are an absolute must. Remove all counter top appliances other than the coffee maker. This includes the microwave if it’s not mounted to the wall or built into the kitchen. Remember, you are trying to show off the amount of work space available.
Better results can be achieved by taking things a couple of steps farther. Replace the faucet with a mid range to high end model. This is the one thing that people will be likely to touch as they test the water pressure, so it’s going to be noticed.
Consider replacing the light fixtures with something modern or at the very least increase the wattage of the bulbs including over the range. Under cabinet lights are another great way to increase the lighting in the kitchen and highlight the space on counter tops. These can be hardwired in by an electrician or be simple lights that you install yourself.
Don’t overlook small details like the ‘toe kicks’ under the lower cabinets. If they look dinged up or show signs of wear and tear, a simple solution is to add a thin veneer by gluing on some 1/8th to 1/4 inch vinyl covers.
For best results you might want to have the cabinets and drawers painted. This will be easier and cheaper than replacing them, while updating the look and feel of the overall space. We recommend having them professionally painted because getting the finish to come out perfect is hard to do on your own. Adding soft closing hinges is something that people really appreciate as well.
– If your countertop is dated or made of laminate, you might consider having it upgraded to a natural stone like granite or quartz. This option will cost you a few thousand but can greatly increase the appeal of your house.
– Adding a tile backsplash is another big visual upgrade that may not cost you very much. It’s possible for you to even do this yourself if you’re willing to learn how, and have the time to do it right.
– New appliances can be a huge selling point as people like a house with a ‘turn key’ kitchen that they can use right away. You can find deals on stainless steel appliance packages or just upgrade one or two of them such as the fridge and dishwasher.
You can find more info about the costs associated with upgrading different parts of the kitchen in this guide to kitchen remodels we wrote a few months ago.
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Bathrooms
The bathroom, the loo, the powder room… Call it what you will. It can be anything from a place that meets our needs, to an oasis of luxury. After the kitchen, the bathrooms are usually the second priority on the list of new home buyers. Because they are a relatively small space, it can be easy to upgrade some of the features and desirability.
Check out our list of 14 bathroom makeover ideas if you’re looking for inspiration to update your bathroom decor.
At a minimum start by clearing out all of your personal hygiene products. If you’re still living in the space, just make yourself a bathroom caddy that you can remove when it’s time for showings. Don’t forget little things like always have a roll of paper that is at least 75% full and making sure the seat and lid are down.
As for improvements, some of the easier ones would be to clean any tile grout like it’s never been cleaned before. The caulking around the tub or showers should be replaced as well. Adding a new toilet seat can improve the look of an older toilet that you don’t have the budget to replace.
Other easy improvements include replacing the shower curtain and adding thick fluffy towels as well as a new bath mat.
Better still would be to replace the sink and shower faucets. Assuming your sink still looks good, you can pick up a new faucet that is middle to high end, which will give a bit more of a luxury feel to your bathroom. If you’re handy at basic plumbing, this is a job that you can probably do yourself, but don’t hesitate to get a professional to help you with the shower especially. The last thing you want is to create a small water leak in the wall where you can’t see it.
New lights over the sink is usually a worthy investment in most cases, though it might trigger some painting to touch up areas of the wall when the base of the new fixture is smaller.
If the tile grout didn’t come clean or it has portions of missing pieces, then it is better to regrout the tile. This is one of those time consuming jobs that is 90% prep. Once it’s ready, the grouting process is fairly quick. For the DIY types, this moderately difficult job is possible if you’re up to it, but be sure to not scratch or crack any tiles during the prep process.
Best results would be achieved doing the things mentioned above and consider a few more upgrades if your budget will allow. This could include adding a new vanity cabinet and natural stone top. Since bathroom counters are comparable smaller than the kitchen, the cost of adding this higher end finish won’t be as expensive.
Another way to give an ordinary bathroom a touch of luxury is adding wainscoting if it doesn’t clash with the rest of the decor in your home
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Cosmetic Bathroom Face-lift
Floors: Carpet, tile, & Hardwood
We can easily overlook the floors we see everyday, but you’re buyers won’t.
At a minimum have all the carpets steam cleaned and wood floors given a thorough cleaning as well. If you have tile floors, be sure that the grout lines are clean and not showing stains in areas like the kitchen. If you’re on a tight budget you can rent a carpet steamer from many supermarkets.
For better results, consider having the floors professionally cleaned. Hiring people who specialize in providing this service comes with experience and a few specialized tools.
Evaluate the carpet in your house and replace any rooms that are worn out or have stains and pet related damage.
Best of all is replacing as much carpeting as you can. People love to see (and smell) new carpeting in a house when they come to view it. Even if your carpeting looks “OK” you can increase the “wow” factor of your home with new carpeting in at least a few key rooms. If your budget doesn’t allow for every room to be recarpeted, pick those areas that need it the most or focus on the living room and master bedroom.Tile and hardwood floors should be fine with a deep cleaning or polish unless they are damaged or very outdated.
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Windows
Sparkling clean windows are a must when showing a home. Beyond that, pay close attention to what is around them. Blinds and curtains should be up or drawn back. If your windows treatments are outdated or blinds have any deformed slats, consider replacing them or removing them all together.
You might be tempted to have the windows open during your showing if it’s a nice day outside, but consider any noise pollution. Most of the time it’s good to leave them closed unless the house will be hot and stuffy. Either way be sure that they are all in excellent working order and easy to operate.
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Storage and Closets
If you’ve been reading this far, you probably already know our mantra. Declutter, clean, organize.
This is true for closets and storage areas, with some exceptions. If you are staging the house or not moved out, it’s ok to leave a few things in the closets. Items like bright crisp linens in the linen closet, or a few dress shirts and shoes in a walk-in closet can help to paint an image. Neatly organized boxes with labels give people a sense that they too will have an organized life when they move into the house.
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Interior Lighting
Lighting can be one of the easiest improvements to make before listing your house on the market.
At a minimum, go around to each light fixture and make sure all of the bulbs are working. If you are using the type of fluorescent bulbs that start off dim and grow brighter after a few minutes, then it’s best to have all of the lights on before any showings begin. Regardless of bulb type, turning the lights on is never a bad idea because you are trying to give the whole house a feeling of space and light.
Better results can be had for relatively low cost by replacing many of the light bulbs in your house with brighter and warmer bulbs than you may have now. While the spiral fluorescent bulbs may be great for saving energy, they can give things a less than pleasant appearance. Newer LED bulbs with warm filters can be a great option.
Best results may be found by upgrading a few light fixtures throughout the house. Focus on key areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, and front entrance area light fixtures first as they will get the most attention. Any older ceiling fans might be worth replacing or simply switching to a light fixture if they look worn or dated.
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Doors, Trim, & Millwork
Details matter and this is one area where you can make improvements that might seem minor, but really add some pop to the appearance of your home listing.
Doors serve a function but can also set a mood. If you have the budget to replace one door, focus on the front door first. It sets the tone as soon as people arrive at the house. Doors with some light coming through them are very popular and look quite modern, but don’t choose something that will clash with the rest of your house.
If a new front door isn’t in your budget, the next best thing is to paint your existing door and add a high quality doorknob. Accessories like a knocker and kick plate at the bottom can be a nice touch as well, but don’t overdo it or add something that doesn’t feel like it belongs.
While we’re talking about the front door, adding a new mailbox and welcome mat for people to wipe their shoes off are the types of small changes that can make a great visual impact.
The door that gets the most use in the house is the bathroom door. Interior doors with some millwork built into them can give a house a real ‘craftsman’ feel. Consider if replacing the bathroom door with an upgrade is a good investment for your house.
Closet bi-fold doors can lose their peak performance over years with wear and tear. If you notice they don’t operate smoothly or stay closed, an easy fix is to adjust or replace any of the hardware so they are perfect again.
Matching door hardware throughout the house and smooth operation can be another easy fix. At the very least replace any gold colored door knobs with a steel or brushed nickel handle.
Glass doors require maintenance to keep them working smoothly. Be sure to grease the rollers and that all of the hardware functions. Broken locks and handles might need to be special ordered to match, but it’s cheaper than replacing the whole door.
Trim is everywhere in the average house but it’s often noticed only when it’s absent or showing gaps.
At the very least be sure to clean it thoroughly because the many surfaces of trim can be a real dust collector. Adding new lightswitch and outlet covers to the whole house is another inexpensive way to tie everything together, making things look new and updated.
If you want to go a step further, try giving all of the trim in your house a fresh coat of paint. Bright and freshly painted trim can really create a stunning effect. Before you paint, be sure to fill any gaps or cracks with some paint grade caulking so everything appears seamless.
For those who wish to step up their home’s appeal even more, some added trim or mill work might be the perfect way to give a feeling of luxury. The look of crown molding or wainscotting in certain rooms can set your house apart in the mind of potential buyers. The kitchen, bath, and dining rooms are all good candidates for these upgrades. Crown molding that is visible as soon as you enter the house makes a great first impression as well.
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Walls, Paint, & Decor
In our experience, the #1 request we get from new home buyers is removing the ‘popcorn’ ceiling from all rooms before they move in. Many years ago it was popular, but nobody wants it in their homes these days. So if you have popcorn ceilings, do yourself a favor and get them removed before listing the house for sale. While you can do this job yourself, it’s a messy and strenuous job. Removing the texture is only half the battle because you will also need to create a smooth surface once that part is done. The biggest issue with these old ceilings is that they may contain Asbestos which will require extra precautions when removing them. If you can hire a pro to do this you will get good results and save yourself a lot of hassle.
Wallpaper is another thing that hurts the appeal of your home. Once upon a time, long ago, wallpaper served a purpose. It held old gypsum in place and hid minor cracks in the wall. Since those days it’s largely gone out of fashion with the exception of border strips or below a chair rail to imitate wainscoting.
While you may love it or not even notice it anymore, chances are that very few home buyers will share an appreciation for walls covered in wallpaper. When possible remove it. If you choose not to do that, consider covering it up with a very plain and neutral wallpaper. Actually, we take that back. Just remove it.
> PRO TIP!
Removing wallpaper can be a pain, but you can make it easier.
Here is our “secret recipe”: In a 4 gallon spray canister and add 2 cups of vinegar, 5 squirts of Dawn dish soap, then 1 cup of fabric softener. Spray the walls generously and let it soak in. (be sure to cover the floors as this will be a messy job). Then with a 6” putty knife start to gently get under the edge of the paper. Once you get the edge loos you can try peeling it by hand. Keep spraying it as you go, being careful to keep the paper intact as much as you can so it doesn’t fragment. This job requires patience and you will need to go slow so you leave a clean surface.
No matter how careful you are, there will be areas of glue left behind and probably a few scratches in the wall surface as well. Sand the wall once it is dry and apply drywall patching compound to any holes or scratches. Once you sand those down to a smooth surface, you can cover the walls with spray on texture to even out the surface before painting it. We suggest you practice with the texture on a large cardboard box outside to dial in the size of the texture you want. An “orange peel” texture is common and ideal in most cases.
Painting is one job that almost all of us can do even if it’s not that enjoyable. When looking at the interior paint in your house, assess if the colors are neutral and the overall condition of the walls. If there are just a few fingerprints and smudges, a magic eraser can probably take care of those. Be careful when cleaning painted walls to not scrub so hard that you remove paint though.
Paint the house for best results before you list it for sale. If you have accent walls with a strong color, scratches and cracks, or sunlight has faded the color in areas the walls will need to be painted. Any cracks or scratches should be patched first with a drywall repair kit before you choose a neutral color to give your home a fresh coat of paint. Once that is done, it might be time to go over the trim as well.
Most people can easily handle painting one or two rooms, but if you decide to have the whole house painted we suggest getting a few quotes to have it done professionally. Fresh paint is another thing that buyers will smell when they come to tour your house and it can remove smells from pets or indoor smoking.
Décor & Staging
When it comes to home decor, allow us to be upfront with you. This is not our natural area of expertise, but we do travel in circles with real estate agents and staging professionals. Here is what we have gathered and feel comfortable passing on to you.
Obviously professional staging will give you the best results with the least personal involvement. According to statistics from the 2020 National Association or Realtors, 43% of seller agents said that staging had a positive impact on the dollar amount a home was sold for. Additionally they said that homes that were staged sold 77% faster than non staged homes.
The Real Estate Staging Association did a study of 13,000 staged homes and found that 85% of staged homes sold 5-23% over the listed price. 75% of sellers that typically invested 1% of the list price saw an average of 5-15% ROI. Their study also shows a huge difference in how fast a home was sold. It varies state to state but in some cases it was 5-7 times faster.
For those of you decorating your own house as it’s being sold we can offer these tips.
Pick a neutral decor with a few pieces of tasteful art. Items that complement each other throughout the house can create a harmonious sense of continuity. You can look to magazines or even other professionally staged homes for inspiration.
If you’re really on a tight budget, look into hanging art that is being sold by local artists or galleries. Offer to let them hang their art in your house with the selling prices listed. People coming for the open house and subsequent showings may choose to buy some of the art to decorate their new home. Of course this partnership will work best if you have already created a stunning space to showcase the artwork.
Furniture can be rented or even purchased for your new home, then staged in your house while it is being sold. Another option for sellers on a tight budget might be to borrow some pieces from friends and family for the open house. Be sure to treat them to something nice as a way of saying thank you when your house closes though.
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In conclusion
We hope some of these tips and tricks help you to sell your house quickly and gets you higher offers than you might have received otherwise. Remember to start with the simplest things and apply the upgrades and improvements that your real estate broker recommends. You can find a lot of decor ideas online and ask trusted friends to give their objective opinion if you have trouble picking out colors and styles. If it seems overwhelming, just breathe and get through it one room / area at a time. To reduce the hassle and stress of preparing a house to sell, consider hiring professionals like Talon Enterprise to help you with this project. Soon enough you will be closing on the sale and saying goodbye to your old house!
Do you have some advice or think we left anything out? We would love your feedback and invite you to add to this article in the comment section below. If you’re looking for some specific advice, feel free to contact us directly.
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