15 Small Fixes That Can Make Your House Sell Faster
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Selling a home can be like getting ready for a first date. You hope to make a great impression, and avoid the things that turn people away. It’s easy to get caught up in the big ticket items, like a new roof or renovated kitchen, but it’s the smaller things that can make the most difference. Little things that you don’t notice, buyers do notice, and tiny imperfections can equal a hesitant offer or no offer at all.
The good news is your home can stand out with small, affordable fixes. Sometimes it’s as simple as putting a little elbow grease and paying attention to detail. You don’t have to go bankrupt, just consider places which may lose you points with your home, fix them and have buyers head over heels for your property.
Curb Appeal Cleanup
That first impression of your home is its exterior, so it better count (or at least make the best bet it can). Freshen up your yard by trimming overgrown bushes, pulling out any weeds and planting colorful flowers. A well maintained lawn is a warm welcome to potential buyers – it is like rolling out the red carpet. Don’t forget your mailbox either, either replace it, or paint it a fresh coat of paint if it’s starting to look worse for wear.
A Fresh Front Door
The personality of your home is your front door. A freshly painted, clean door in a striking but tasteful color will make the right impression. A modern doorknob or sleek knocker will also make it pop even more. Zillow says homes with black or charcoal gray doors also sold for up to $6,000 more on average, so it’s worth the investment.
Fix Squeaky Hinges and Doors
Squeaky doors or cabinets are few things that scream “neglect.” With a quick spritz of lubricant or tightening a few screws, those creaks are silenced. An annoyance for buyers is not always something they consciously notice, but they won’t forget that noise if that’s what they are constantly met with.
Brighten Your Lighting
Even the nicest home can look dreary with dull lighting. If your light fixtures are out of date, replace them with more modern versions, or if you can’t do that, replace dim bulbs with brighter, energy efficient LED bulbs. A well lit home is inviting and also shows the space. Lighting is the jewelry of your room.
Scuff and Nail Holes Patch Up
Walls are the home’s skin, and they tell a story. Buyers don’t care about your toddler’s crayon masterpiece or the holes left behind from your gallery wall. Have some spackle, sandpaper, and paint ready to smooth and clean those walls as much as possible. The last thing we would want to do is repaint or match to the existing color, so, sticking with a neutral shade will appeal to a broader crowd.
Update Your Hardware
While you might not think much about cabinet knobs and drawer pulls, they’re like the accessories for your kitchen and bathrooms. Replacing outdated or misfit hardware with clean, coordinated pieces can makeover a space in minutes. For a contemporary touch, think brushed nickel or matte black.
Clean or Replace Grungy Grout
Bathroom and kitchen grout are dirty magnets. Even if it’s new, if it’s stained or crumbling, it can make the whole space feel grimy. You can scrub it with baking soda and vinegar mixture or regrout for a fresher appearance.
Declutter Your Closets
Sellers play on closet space as a huge selling point, but buyers need to see how spacious your closets are. It sends the message that storage is tight if they’re stuffed to the brim. Get rid of the things you no longer need and maintain what’s left. The goal is to showcase the storage space, not your stuff.
Add a Backsplash
You don’t need a major renovation to elevate space; install a backsplash in the kitchen or bathroom. Affordable and easy to install, peel-and-stick options can make a room look more polished and even modern.
Deep Clean Every Corner
Buyers will look in every nook and cranny (yes, even under the fridge and in the sink). Deep cleaning your home can really make it feel new. Additionally, focus on cleaning those high traffic areas or where grime tends to get deposited like baseboards and window tracks. Cleanliness is an indicator of care. Remember that.
Revive Hardwood Floors
Dulled or scuffed hardwood floors can take a home down a notch. Scrub out light scratches and apply a polish to put the shine back onto them. If the damage is too much, think about refinishing or placing strategically placed rugs over trouble spots.
Fix Leaky Faucets
Not only are dripping faucets annoying, they can actually send a message to buyers that there may be bigger plumbing problems. A simple quick DIY repair or an inexpensive faucet replacement can go a long way in putting buyer concerns in check.
Make Your House Smell Amazing
Smells, good or bad, are impossible to forget. Spread scents lightly, using something subtle and pleasant rather than having air fresheners. A pot of simmering cinnamon sticks or fresh, hot cookies can make your home warm and welcoming. Also, you can use plants as they have air purifying qualities, according to NASA.
Stage Your Furniture
Organize furniture within the space to create a bigger, more utilitarian space. If you have bulky pieces, you can move them to storage and add some neutral throws and pillows for a polished look. Spaces that feel lived in but not crowded are what home buyers often appreciate.
Refresh Your Bathrooms
You do not have to gut the bathroom to make it fab. Replacing shower curtains, adding fluffy white towels and a small plant can go a long way. Buyers will be impressed, not stressed, at a sparkling mirror and sink.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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