I have included some inexpensive tips and ideas to sell your home for more and quicker. Some of these may be quite obvious, and some may be dubious, but they work!
Time and again, when I show homes or list them, some or all of these tips would have dramatically sped up the sale, and the seller could have received more money.
Over the years of working with hundreds of home sellers and buyers, the little things a buyer sees may be the stumbling block in making an offer on your home. You have only one chance of making an excellent first impression on home buyers!
Try one or ten of these, and you will be happy you did!
Tip #1: Add a basic alarm system. Security is the number one concern for any resident, and if a homeowner does not feel secure, they will eventually move elsewhere. Many security alarm providers have lucrative introductory offers for equipment and installation. The contract can be taken over by the new owner.
Tip #2: Install matching light fixtures and ceiling fans. Consider some track lighting with dimmers to highlight artwork or showcase a particular part of the room. Consider flex track lighting or suspended track lighting. Adding a dimmer switch makes your lighting more versatile and is a great mood enhancer. Ceiling fans add value, and you may want to consider adding them instead of staid old light fixtures. If you don’t want to replace existing ceiling fans, clean the dust off the blades and update the decorative pulls at the end of the chain.
Tip #3: Basic landscaping, particularly in the front yard. The front yard is the first thing potential buyers see, so don’t miss out on your chance to pique their interest. Prospective buyers decide about your home as they walk the first 10 feet from their car to your front door. A junky yard will make them think that you’ve neglected maintenance. A clean yard will reassure them that your home is well-kept. Focus on a clean-cut, straighten the lawn edges, freshen the landscaping and add some colour spots or striking shrubs for impact. Mulch is inexpensive, so use it. If your yard lacks interest, consider constructing a retaining wall. Use railroad ties, bricks, or stones to build that wall. The landscape design should complement your home’s style and colours.
Tip #4: Get a new front door or give the existing one a facelift. Paint the front door a complementary but bold colour. Choose a colour that says, “Look at me!” once you’ve finished painting the door, install a new doorknob emphasizing sturdiness and class. Install a new kick-plate that matches your lockset finish. Remember, while your prospective homebuyer waits for you or the real estate agent to let them in, they observe your front door. If you have an old storm door, get rid of it. If you need a storm door, install one with a lot of window space to highlight the bold colour of your front door.
Tip #5: Install some blinds and window shades. Certain rooms could use blinds or shades to emphasize the style. The living room, kitchen, primary bedroom, and primary bathroom are the best places to start. These are the four rooms that prospective buyers will study most when evaluating your property. Pick window shades that complement existing furniture or your paint colour. If you want to stick with inexpensive vinyl blinds, ensure all the room blinds match the colour. When showing a home during the day, you should always open your blinds and shades to let in abundant light (unless you’ve got a clear view of the mess in your neighbour’s backyard).
Tip #6: Get rid of photographs of people. You may love Aunt Geraldine, but you don’t need to have her portrait or your ego awards! Prospective buyers must imagine living in the house, not you and your family.
Tip #7: Clean off the tops of the water heater, furnace, washing machines, and any other mechanical fixture. Most homeowners don’t bother to do this at all. This makes these devices look newer, well-maintained, and clean. If you have a dirty-looking furnace, don’t be surprised if your buyer demands a concession for a new furnace. Please don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Tip #8: Make sure every light bulb in the house works. If the prospective homebuyer can’t see your place, you can’t expect them to like it. When people see lamps with one good bulb but three burned-out ones, they think you don’t maintain the residence and worry about other deferred maintenance. Use higher-wattage light bulbs in your lamps where it’s safe for a bright, warm atmosphere. Also, consider slightly pink-tinted or full-spectrum “natural” light bulbs to create a warm glow for your home. Don’t forget about the bulbs in your basement and your exterior lamps.
Tip #9: Place decorative flowers and candles throughout the home. Flowers and plants work wonders, and candles give the home a romantic or warm feel. Scented candles are best; some scents are so strong that homebuyers can smell them even when the candle isn’t burning.
Tip #10: Place magazines about luxury homes around the house. Magazines about elegant homes or sophisticated styles can put prospective homebuyers in the mood. When they see that bright, shiny issue on your nightstand or coffee table, they envision your property as the stylistic new home that they wish to live in.
Tip #11: Refinish your hardwood floors. People like hardwood floors, particularly if the base has a lustre. If your hardwood floors are stained, you can still sand them and apply a darker finish that hides stains. If your hardwood floors don’t need to be sanded but have dull spots or cracks, try some off-the-shelf refinishing agents or cleansers.
Tip #12: Get rid of clutter. Space sells. Don’t stuff a mess in your closets, basement, or garage. Throw it out or rent some storage space. Prospective buyers should not feel hemmed in because of all the boxes they have lying around or those old, rickety chairs you can’t seem to discard.
Tip #13: Shampoo your carpet. Many people like new carpets for apparent reasons. However, we can’t always afford to buy new carpets. Rent a carpet cleaning vacuum or hire a shampoo service. The proper detergent and equipment can remove old stains and make odours disappear.
Tip #14: Place air fresheners throughout the home. You’d be amazed at how easy this one is, but how many people don’t do it. Potpourri and air fresheners set the mood, and people associate fresh scents with cleanliness and purity. Be careful not to overdo it with the air fresheners, or people will think, ‘You’re trying to hide an odour.
Tip #15: Power wash the exterior. Road dust builds up under overhangs and eaves, and mould, moss, or insects may accumulate. Even though there’s a for-sale sign in the front yard, many passersby will not call the phone number if the house looks dirty or old. Remember first impressions.
Tip #16: Install brushed-nickel or brass switch plate and wall outlet covers in the primary bedroom, the kitchen, and the dining room. Many places I’ve seen for sale do not have matching switch plates and outlet covers. Some are ivory, some are brown, some are white, and most are dirty. New outlet covers and switch plates can cost a few cents to several dollars. You may consider installing brushed nickel or brass covers in your most heavily trafficked rooms. These covers give the room a look of elegance and style.
Tip #17: Replace those old, worn-out doorknobs. I’ve seen doorknobs over 80 years old and painted them several times. Ugh! Doorknobs can be some of the dirtiest, bacteria-infested items in the house, and prospective buyers know it! Replace those old doorknobs with new ones. If you have a brass theme in the room, go with brass.
Tip #18: If you have a paved driveway, reseal it. If your driveway is paved but is cracked or otherwise in bad shape, repair it and use a driveway sealer. A sharp-looking driveway is the first thing a prospective buyer sees, and besides, the sealer prevents existing cracks from worsening.
Tip #19: Compile a complete list of the warranties on the appliances and fixtures, and leave that list on the kitchen counter. If your home has been upgraded in recent years, such as a new roof, or if you’ve replaced significant appliances, be sure to have the receipts on hand to show interested buyers. Better yet, type up a list of the warranties and leave copies of that list on the kitchen counter. Many homebuyers need to feel secure that items in the house are in good working order. If your home is the only one with warranty information, these buyers may be more likely to make an offer (and a good one).
Where is that odour coming from?
Tip #20: Run an air purifier to eliminate those lingering odours. You may be used to the smells in your house, but trust me, no one else is. If a thorough cleaning and some well-placed potpourri don’t do the trick, it’s time for an air purifier. An air purifier eliminates bacteria that can cause odours. An excellent place to run an air purifier is in the basement.
Tip #21: Refinish your vinyl or tile floors. Clean your vinyl and tile floors. Tile floors may need new grout. Perhaps you need to replace a cracked tile (I hope you bought one or two extra tiles in case you ever needed them).
Tip #22: Spend a day looking at Open Houses held by property sellers. After observing what other people do with their homes, you will see your home with a fresh perspective. Plus, you’ll get a feel for your neighbourhood’s market values. Top athletes check out the competition, and top businesspersons check out the competition.
Tip #23: Oil door hinges so they don’t squeak. You may not notice the squeaking hinge because you’ve heard it many times, but buyers will wonder what needs maintenance—oil those hinges. Also, make sure that every door opens and shuts with ease. Sometimes, doors get misaligned and don’t move unless you apply lots of pressure.
Tip #24: Replace your doorbell if it is old or worn. One of the first things a prospective homebuyer notices is a doorbell. Is it old? Does it work? Does anyone in the house hear the bell? Imagine waiting for a prospective homebuyer to stop by, and you can’t hear them ringing the bell. Doorbells are inexpensive items, and a new one (at least a new button) will impress your visitors.
Tip #25: Clean, clean, clean. Once the potential buyer walks through your front door, they should be wowed by the cleanliness. A sparkling home screams that it’s been adequately maintained. Consider spending a couple hundred dollars and bringing in the professionals for a thorough cleaning.
Tip #26: Modernize that kitchen. As the hub of family interaction, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Brighten the cabinets with a fresh coat of paint or some updated hardware. Add a new faucet or light fixture to rejuvenate the space, or change the window coverings for a more modern feel. Buyers are always interested in the kitchen, so try a quick facelift that will turn up the heat on your bottom line.
Tip #27: Brighten up rooms with new paint. This one is obvious, but many people still don’t (or do it properly). Fresh paint may be one of the most effective dollar-for-dollar value enhancers. You can hire a professional or do it yourself. Choose neutral colours for most rooms, but don’t be afraid to use a bold colour on a wall or two to create contrast or style. Just don’t go wild with the bold colours. Also, consider painting the walls and trim complementary colours.
Painting Confusion?
Tip #28: Give the primary bedroom a bold and romantic look. People associate the primary bedroom with romance, authority, comfort, and style. Give the people what they want! Buy some new bed sheets or throw pillows. Consider a new comforter. Set up candles and flowers. Don’t leave any clothes lying around.
Tip #29: Add crown moulding. It is available in countless colours, widths, and styles – from simple to elegant, classic to contemporary. Moulding can give an ordinary-looking room the special touch needed to stand out.
Tip #30: Add landscape lights or a decorative street lamp. A classy street lamp gets attention, even during the daytime. Landscape lights can establish security and elegance at the same time. Some homebuyers will view a home during the day and then insist on coming back at night to see how the place looks. You don’t have to overspend, but consider adding or updating your exterior lamps.
Tip #31: Install a new mailbox. Mailboxes can be inexpensive, and you should install a new one so prospective buyers and their prospective houseguests don’t look at that dingy old thing on the front of the house.
Tip #32: Remove weeds between concrete slabs and walkways, a sign of property neglect and a big turn-off for potential buyers. Nowadays, you can buy weed-killing chemicals that destroy unwanted plant life in hours. Or you can try a solution of 20 percent bleach and 80 percent water.
Tip #33: Clean out the clothes dryer vent thoroughly. It matters; do it.
Tip #34: Install an automatic garage door opener. This is another good way to increase property value. Select a multi-code garage door opener remote model that routinely changes the code for additional security.
Tip #35: Enhance your porch or doorstep with pots or baskets of blooming annuals, an attractive and fragrant way to boost visual appeal and add eye-popping colour. You can find flower pots at dollar stores; a topsoil bag may cost slightly more than a dollar. A tip to keep flower pots light is to place empty water bottles in the base and cover them with soil. Sometimes, the flowers won’t need alot of dirt, and the empty bottles create space but no added weight. Ensure you water the plants often enough because dead plants will have the opposite effect of what you intend.
An appealing front door invites offers!
Tip #36: Give your old BBQ a makeover. Even though you want to take it with you or you will leave it, clean it! Degrease it first, rinse well, and repeat if necessary. Once clean and dry, refinish it using bright, fireproof/high-temperature paint. Select a colour that complements your home’s exterior look. Or try something fun that will stand out, such as orange, yellow, or blue.
Tip #37: Enhance your home office, workstation, or area where you pay your bills. A messy desk is a messy person or doesn’t care?
Tip #38: Install a skylight dome or roof skylight—people like natural light, especially incredibly bright light from above. Skylight installation also increases natural lighting in rooms, making them more inviting and cheerful.
Tip #39: Build a mini herb pantry. Many homes are sold based on the kitchen’s setup. An herb pantry can be as simple as a cubby hole built into the wall between studs or a closet area converted into one with a glass door.
Tip #40: Add something “green,” like solar panels. Green is good these days (or any day). Many homebuyers need to feel like they are doing something good for the planet while saving money at the same time. Solar panels are in vogue again, so consider installing some of them. Another green activity that enhances value is adding insulation where needed.
Tip #41: Empty that cluttered basement. When selling your house in London, Ontario, I suggest you empty the basement as much as possible. Take your junk to the dump or place it in storage. Homebuyers need to sense that they have lots of open space (to store the junk they have in storage).
Tip #42: Trade those old, leaky faucets for shiny new ones. Kitchens and bathrooms can attract buyers or repel them. The centrepiece of any kitchen or bathroom is the sink, and the centrepiece of any sink is the faucet. Replace them yourself or hire a handyperson.
Tip #43: Change the filter in your furnace. You want to avoid that musty, stale smell when it is operating. One of the first things I do when showing a buyer a house is to check the furnace filter; it tells me alot about the care of the home.
Tip #44: Hang a large mirror in the living room, creating a virtual space and the illusion of greater size. Buyers love open space; give it to them!
Tip #45: Make sure the colours of your kitchen appliances match. A kitchen with a yellow refrigerator, a stainless steel range, and a white microwave may look okay to you, but it doesn’t to buyers.
Tip #46: Hang new towel bars and toilet paper holders. Once you’ve replaced the bathroom faucet, you’ll want to hang the towel rack and toilet paper holder to match it. Make sure that you have a roll of toilet paper on the holder. I suggest you hang a decorative towel on the bar, making the bathroom look complete.
Tip #47: Run a dehumidifier. A perpetually damp basement or bathroom can be the breeding ground for mould, odours, and insects. Neither mould nor odour nor insect helps your cause. Run a dehumidifier to dry the air and reduce the musty smell.
Tip #48: Paint the fence or railings surrounding your home. A freshly painted fence creates a tremendous Wow factor! Prospective homebuyers often observe the exterior of a property before even considering whether to view the interior. You may even inspire your neighbours to paint their fences and railings by repainting the fence to keep up with you. Spray paint works well on metal or cast-iron railings; use a primer first.
Tip #49: Install new street numbers on the front of your home. When prospective buyers drive around the neighbourhood to find your address, their eyes will gravitate toward bright, shiny, new street numbers. It only costs a few dollars to buy new brass or brushed nickel numbers to boldly identify the front of your property, and this is money well spent.
Tip #50: Use throws in colours that match the room to cover worn sofa and chair upholstery. You could try to buy new furniture to spruce up the space and then take it with you when you sell. Or, if all new furniture is not in your budget, buy some throws and pillows to place on your furniture.
Tip #51: The London Ontario Home Seller Guide Fundamentals. In today’s market, buyers are increasingly savvy. That means your home will sell at the highest profit and quickly when all the ingredients are combined correctly.
I hope a few of the 51 tips to sell your home for more will help you.
One of the services we provide is what we call a home audit. We have a room-by-room guide you and I go through, making a list of what should be done, can be done, or shouldn’t bother. After one hour, you will get a perspective of what needs to be done and the energy and money needed, and then you will decide what you want to do.
Would you like a house or condo audit? Most realtors never offer this complimentary service. Average effort yields average results!
