When preparing a home for sale, some homeowners don’t know where to focus their efforts and appreciate a valuable tip or two. Read the questions below. If the answer is yes to any of these, follow the strategy to solve it:
* Is the wallpaper all over your house outdated?
If so, replace the wallpaper, or paint or texture over it.
* Is your paneling outdated?
Typical slotted panels are outdated. If you have this type of paneling in your home, paint it a neutral color. High-quality, no-groove panels, costing upwards of $30 per unfinished sheet, as of January 2010, are timeless. The tongue and groove are also timeless. However, knotty pine and other high-quality paneling are outdated.
* Is your cabinet trim out of date?
If so, modern knobs are available for sale at most hardware stores. Choose a few stylish ones for an inexpensive and easy way to make your kitchen and bathroom cabinets “pop.”
* Is your kitchen up to date?
Do you have outdated vinyl flooring? How about that counter tile that needs new grout or that old faux brick backsplash? Replaced outdated vinyl flooring with updated stylish vinyl or inexpensive tile, which is easy to do yourself. Hire vinyl installation. For faux brick or other false backsplash and wall cladding, remove it. It is outdated. Paint the wall a neutral color.
* Is your master bathroom updated?
If you have tile and neutral colors, you’re good to go. If not, you’ll need to consider replacing the colored tile and toning down the bright colors on the wall. Don’t go crazy buying travertine and the more expensive accessories. Stick with the neighborhood standard, as you may or may not get your money back on the sale. If you have scruffy bathroom cabinets and mirrors, consider replacing them with classier, modern ones that are affordable. Whether you do it yourself or rent it, it always benefits the seller to make sure the master bathroom is up to date.
* Is your home painted inside and out in neutral colors?
If you have a house that is pink inside and out, you can be almost certain that if you get an offer, you will have to put down several thousand towards the sale price of your house. It pays to buy the paint and apply it before putting the house on the market.
* Is your carpet a neutral color?
The rug should also be a neutral color. If you have blue, mauve, or any of the other crazy colors from the ’70s and ’80s, you should consider ripping up the rug. Find out if you have hardwood floors underneath. If it was built in the 1960s or earlier, you might be in luck. Hardwood floor refinishing can add thousands to your bottom line. Or, if there are no hardwoods, find the cheapest neutral-colored chic rug to replace your old, outdated rug.
* Do you have colors in your home from a previous decade?
Are you seeing a common theme here? Neutral colors are the way to go throughout your home if you’re looking to sell your abode fast.
* Do you have popcorn ceilings?
Another clue that your home is “dated” is popcorn ceilings. They came out with foofy bangs in the ’70s. Scratch ’em and paint ’em.
When you’re deciding what work to do, it’s best if you walk around with a pad of paper and pen in hand before doing the job. Take note of all the things that need repair in each room, even the little things. The more repairs you do, the less haggling you’ll experience with buyers during sales. A lot of preparation goes into preparing your home for sale. Put in the effort and spend to do it, and you will reap a great reward.