The first of our home selling tips is painting. It might be an obvious tip, but unsightly walls can have a huge impact on the upkeep and value of a home. Luckily, many of these small fixes can be done for a relatively low cost. Here are some examples. Repairs to make before sell a house in Baton Rouge include replacing broken light fixtures, painting walls, and removing rust from plumbing and electric systems.
Fixes that Increase Curb Appeal
There are a few small details that make a big difference when it comes to increasing curb appeal before you sell your house. Fading paint, broken screens, and damaged sideboards are just a few examples of issues that can make your house look dingy. However, most of these are simple fixes that will increase your property’s curb appeal. So, if you’re in the market for a house, consider these small fixes first.
Overgrown bushes are an eyesore. These need to be trimmed or removed, and mulching the entire area will do wonders for your house’s appearance. Drive down the street and observe the first thing people will notice about your home. Don’t wait until it’s too late to make some changes.
Pressure-washing the exterior and clearing the path to the front door is another small fix that will boost your home’s curb appeal. Damaged shingles and missing shingles can immediately turn off potential buyers, so it’s vital to repair or replace them as soon as possible. You might also want to consider repairing a leaky faucet. This will give your house a fresher appearance and increase your home’s value.
Fixes that will Increase the Value of Your Home
Often, the simplest changes make a big difference, so consider doing minor repairs before you list your home. Replacing worn door knobs or adding new carpeting can add thousands of dollars to your home’s value. Cleaning rooms can make them look fresher and increase their resale value, and a fresh coat of paint can help cover up ugly stains.
Replacing outdated appliances and light fixtures can increase your home’s value by as much as five percent. Other simple fixes that may make a big difference include updating light fixtures or replacing the front door. Energy-efficient upgrades will reduce your utility bills while increasing the appeal of your home to buyers. Even simple landscaping changes will improve curb appeal. Your property’s exterior will appeal to potential buyers and appraisers.
Cleaning
Among the many things to do before you sell your house, cleaning is one of the most important. Potential buyers will pay particular attention to the kitchen, so remove any excess supplies, polish the sink, and wipe the counters. Additionally, remove any clutter, and make sure that the windows are clear and dust-free. Before you begin showing the house to potential buyers, be sure that you clean up all of the clutter, and make sure that you keep your living room and bathroom as clean as possible.
Decluttering
While decluttering your home is an important task for all homeowners, it becomes even more important when you are selling your home. Potential buyers are looking at the house and its contents, and clutter can make the place seem smaller and overly cluttered. It can also turn them off. It’s also important to remove pet hair and other visible signs of infestation, as these can negatively impact the sale. Decluttering your house will make it easier to find these signs and address them quickly.
Painting
While it may be tempting to skip this task, painting your home is not always a necessary repair. It can delay the sale process by up to a month. You should also make sure to choose the right color of paint for the exterior of your house, as incorrect colors can scare potential buyers away. Also, it is important to move furniture out of the way of freshly painted walls, and avoid touching them until they dry.
Floors
One of the most common reasons home buyers don’t follow through with the sale of a house is bad flooring. Carpets can help mask signs of wear and tear, but it doesn’t cover up the bigger issues. Instead, you should consider replacing the carpet with hardwood flooring or vinyl/wood laminate.
