Whether you are sprucing
up your home as a spring cleaning ritual, or
preparing your home for sale, there are some
tried and true tips to help you gain the most
from your efforts. In fact, some of the most
important fix-up projects a homeowner can
perform may be accomplished on little more than
elbow-grease, and they can help speed the sale
of your home.
A thorough cleaning, a
fresh coat of paint, and yard grooming are the
ABC’s of preparing for a sale. First impressions
are important and a neat, clean look gives a
good first impression to buyers.
Some additional ideas
which you may want to consider:
Plan a yard-sale, or a tax-deductible donation
to remove old furniture and toys, appliances and
other clutter material. Your attic, garage,
closets, cupboards and storage space will look
so much bigger, and moving will be easier for
you,
A newly painted wall (in
a light or neutral shade) is a canvas to the eye
of prospective buyers; and clean windows
brighten and enlarge each room.
A well clipped yard -
free of scattered toys - allows viewers to focus
on the neatness of the home.
Fix dripping faucets and
repair any caulking cracks. Bathrooms are a key
selling point.
If you are prepared to
invest some money to improve your home’s
presentation, start with the most cost-effective
projects and remember to keep a journal of jobs
and receipts. Home improvement costs are often
deductible (when costs are incurred 90 days
before the sale and paid within 30 days after
the sale). While lawn-mowing and weekly cleaning
bills do not qualify according to IRS
regulations, new paint, a new water heater, or
new gutters usually do apply. Some hints:
Replace broken gutters
and shutters.
New paint indoors or out
is usually approved by the IRS for deduction if
completed and paid for near the time of sale.
New floor coverings (in
neutral shades) on kitchen and bathroom floors
may be another affordable investment which can
speed a sale by appealing to buyers’ desire for
a property that is ‘ready to move in,’
particularly if the current style of colors are
dated.
Repair broken woodwork,
loose planks, and creaky stairs. No buyer wants
a home that needs structural repairs.
Hardwood floors are a
plus. If you have hardwood floors, consider
removing the floor covering, especially if the
carpet is worn.
You may want to
reconsider more ambitious jobs, however, if you
are thinking of selling the home any time soon.
While bathroom and kitchen up-grades generally
help appreciation, not all home additions will
add value to the property - other than that
value which you personally enjoy. Not everyone
wants a swimming pool that could be a safety
hazard for young children, or an island kitchen
design that restricts kitchen traffic flow. A
new deck may recoup its installment costs, but
new kitchen cabinets come in a variety of
designs and styles that the buyer should choose.
Talk to your REALTOR® about the improvements
most appropriate in current market conditions
and you will do your share to speed the sale of
your home.
