Gabe Thomas
President, Home Builders Association of Chattanooga
If you’re planning to sell your home this spring in order to downsize, relocate or move to your dream home, you have a lot riding on the outcome. You love your home, but prospective buyers come with a critical eye.
A few strategic repairs go a long way to show your house at its best and get the most out of the sale. These tips will help prepare your home to sell quickly and for the best price.
Update the Exterior
First impressions have impact. As soon as potential buyers pull up to your home, they’ll react to the front of the house and yard. You’ll want your home’s curb appeal to draw them in right away with a feeling that the home is attractive and everything is in good shape.
A power wash and an immaculate coat of paint on siding and trim are essential. Make sure your front door looks fresh and appealing. Paint or replace it if needed. An attractive door color, shiny doorknobs or handles, and clean windows make for an encouraging welcome.
Also take a close look at your landscaping. Remove any dead or dying plants, and maybe even add a few new ones to freshen the look. Make sure mulch and ground cover all of the ground; fill in any bare spots.
Get a potential buyer enthusiastically through the front door and they’ll be ready from the start to like your home.
Make Sure the Floors Look Great
The first step over the threshold draws a buyer’s eyes to the floors. Whether your home has wood floors or carpet, make sure they are in good condition.
For carpet, remove any visible indentations and put down new carpet in areas where it’s frayed or dirty. If you decide to replace your carpet, make sure to stick with a single style and color throughout a given space. Neutral colors are usually best when it comes to showing and selling a house, so think about choosing a beige or light tan, even if it’s not your favorite.
Woods floors are a huge plus for many home buyers, so consider removing carpet and refinishing wood floors if you have them underneath. Where you already have exposed wood floors, refinish them as needed to show off their warmth and charm.
Beautify Your Bathroom
Small updates to your bathroom can have a huge impact on how a buyer sees the whole house, and they’ve been proven to have a great return on investment. Take an hour or two to redo the caulk around the sink and tub so there’s a clean, unbroken line free of grime.
Replace any chipped tiles and give the whole floor a good steam clean. Switch out the toilet seat for a brand new one, and buy a neutral shower curtain and liner to make sure everything looks as clean and fresh as possible. You’ll be surprised how much better your bathroom looks after these tweaks. Check the Air Conditioning and Heating
You’ll want prospective buyers to be equally comfortable in every room whatever the weather. Make sure your air conditioning and heating are working properly. They should start easily and produce an even amount of cool or warm air throughout the house.
Ideally, you’ve had your systems inspected annually by an HVAC specialist. If you haven’t, paying a professional to inspect and repair your systems is a wise investment. It may also be a good idea to clean the ducts before you start showing the home to buyers. That way, if they ask, you can assure them in good conscience that everything is in tip-top shape.
Need some help getting your house in shape? Visit the HBAGC.net online membership directory for a list of quality professionals near you.