So you’ve decided to sell your house. Do you want to sell it quickly, or sell it for the most money?
Dumb question, of course. You want to do both!
Even in a buyer’s market, it’s still possible, provided you know what buyers want. And that, neighborhood Realtors say, is the easy part: Most buyers today want an updated house, plenty of room in the kitchen and bathrooms, and nice drive-up appeal.
But what if your house doesn’t have all that — or any of that? Is it possible to get a good price without adding expensive stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and bathrooms that mimic luxurious day spas?
Dan and Karen Yates did. They sold their home last year after making only minor improvements to give it a more updated look.
“It was a very simple home, very livable, nothing wrong with it,” Dan says. “It just didn’t have all the fancy things that maybe would have driven the price up higher, such as a sprinkler system, granite countertops, that type of thing.”
The house had been for sale a month or so when they decided to update the living room. They took down the drapes, painted the walls and changed the carpet.
“We had a padded wall with fabric and took that off, then found wallpaper with big pastel flowers behind that. So we tore that all off and painted it,” Dan says.
“The room just all the sudden was bright and new looking.”
About a month later, they had a signed contract.
The Yates family proved it’s possible to sell a house at a good price within a reasonable amount of time — without spending a lot of money. Here are some tips to help you do the same.
Get rid of stuff
You think your commemorative figurines and gold-rimmed collector plates are beautiful. But to others, they’re clutter. And clutter is not your friend when you’re trying to sell a house.
Reducing accessories, decorative items and even furniture items can make rooms feel larger and neater. But while doing so usually doesn’t cost a cent, homeowners often find it a difficult change to make. If you can’t bring yourself to throw something out, just box it up and store it. You’ll have to do it anyway when you move, so it’s really no additional work.
Get with the program
Updated, updated, updated. Repeat the word in your head as many times as it takes, because that’s what most buyers want.
And that means updated to today’s styles, not the ’80s, or even early ’90s.
Carpet, one Realtor told us, is out. And really old carpet is really out. The most popular flooring these days is wood floors, then tile and laminate. If you’re not prepared to shell out for one of those, you might at least consider replacing your old, worn carpet with new. It’s a relatively affordable way to give rooms a newer look and feel — just remember to go with light, neutral colors.
Wallpaper, especially floral wallpaper, won’t necessarily go with prospective buyers’ decorating sense. Paint walls in neutral colors to appeal to the widest audience.
Old countertops, tubs and sinks can make a room feel dated, especially if they’re an unusual color, dull or scratched. An affordable option is to re-cover them, which can often cost one-third of the replacement price.
Two-inch blinds and shutters are pluses. Floral drapes and mini blinds are not. Luckily, updated blinds are less expensive than ever. Or you might try solid curtains with an updated fabric and look. And in some cases, as the Yates found, no window coverings can be better than dated window coverings.
Get outside
“Your drive-up appeal is the first thing people see,” Dan says. “If it doesn’t look good on the outside, you’ll have a tougher time.”
Professional landscaping, though, can be very expensive. A more affordable way to improve your home’s outdoor appeal? Just keep your yard, garage and entries well maintained and clean.
Make sure your doors, light fixtures and windows are free of dirt and spider webs. And give your lawn a well-cared-for look by mowing and edging often. Then use a few potted plants and flowers to dress it all up.
