1. Paint - The exterior of your house is the first thing a potential buyer sees before deciding if they want to view your property. A freshly painted house can significantly increase the value. If there is any peeling or flaking paint on your house, it is in your best interest to scrape and paint your house prior to putting it up for sale. If the house is currently well painted, you may want to power wash the siding to add that extra allure. Neutral colors appeal to the greatest number of people.
2. Cleaning - Thoroughly cleaning your house will cost little money, just some sweat and elbow grease, but it will do wonders for the appeal of your property. The last thing a prospective buyer wants to see is clutter. They may question what the clutter is hiding, or if the property has been properly maintained. Eliminate broken furniture, piles of paper, or unnecessary items. If you have pets, it is a good idea to have the carpets and drapery professionally cleaned. Wipe down windows and walls and vacuum out vents. There could be dust, trash, or even dead insects in the ventilation system of your house, this may cause buyers to rethink their purchase of your home.
3. Eliminate Odors - If you have animals or smoke you may become accustomed to the smells, but a potential home buyer or appraiser will know you have pets. Odors are a huge deterrent for some homebuyers. If you know your house is going to be shown to potential buyers, you may want to bake something to make the house smell good, such as: brownies, cake, or cookies. It will mask minor odors and make the house more enticing.
4. Minor Updates- Replace dark or outdated window coverings with lighter blinds or draperies that let the light in. A well-lit room is typically more inviting and makes a room appear larger.
5. Front Garden and Lawn - Many potential homebuyers drive by prospective houses prior to deciding which houses they want to see the inside of. A well-manicured lawn will make your house stand out, whereas a patchy lawn and oversized bushes may detour potential homebuyers from viewing the entire property. It is very inexpensive to trim your lawn, shape the hedges, remove trash or debris, and add mulch to the flower beds. Curb appeal will at least make your house more appealing and will likely lead to more realtors showing your property to prospective buyers.
There are many other inexpensive ways to increase the value of your house. Some improvements can make a huge difference in how someone perceives your house. Even simple improvements can make your house look and feel more inviting. When selling your house, you may only get one chance with each prospective buyer, so make a good first impression.
