The Garland Handyman is happy to provide this article containing low-cost, high-return home improvement tips written by Keith Paul, founder of HandyPro Handyman Services:
My wife and I are selling our home in this
tough economy, how can we make our house sell fast and at a fair price? Steve
A.
Fortunately, there are many low cost
projects you can do yourself and have your home stand out from others, even
during the slower market. Because we are in a buyer’s market, the days of
calling your agent and selling your home a few days later is not the norm. We
now have to differentiate our homes from the over-saturated inventory. The good
news is, it does not have to cost a lot of money to do so. Below are some
unique tips to help sell your house faster and for more money.
1. One of the largest impacts that
you can have when selling your home is interior and exterior painting. One of
the best quotes that I have heard on this topic is from John Tenza , a
professional real estate coach in Ann
Arbor , “Paint is worth $20 in the can and $1,000 on
the wall.” He continues to explain that homes being sold must have a clean and
fresh appearance to entice the buyers when they are considering your property.
Paint is one of the most inexpensive ways to accomplish this. Remember to use
neutral colors.
2. Curb appeal is vital when selling
a home. Ensure the landscaping is clean, pruned and trimmed to ensure the first
impression is a positive one. Do you search for homes on the Internet? So do
most potential buyers. The more Internet photos that “wow’ people, the more
you’ll be “wowed” by the offers.
3. Pay special attention to the
front door. It’s similar to the tie on a suit, meaning that it is the focal
point. Ensure it’s got a fresh coat of paint. The front door is perceived to reflect
the home’s general condition.
4. Remove dingy wallpaper and either
replace it or re-paint the room. This will make a room look fresh, new and
inviting.
5. Repair drippy faucets and
showerheads and leaky toilets.
6. Pay attention to loose knobs and
handles and crooked cabinet doors. Left unrepaired, these items can give the
wrong impression of the home’s overall condition. For older homes, add
inexpensive updates by putting new knobs on cabinets or doors.
7. Remove the clutter. Prospective
buyers envision themselves living in the property, and a clean organized house
will help put a good picture in their mind.
8. Replace old sinks or make repairs
to make the sinks look shiny and new.
9. Make the home smell good. This
can be overdone by using overpowering air fresheners, so be careful. But a
batch of cookies or a cake that just came out of the oven can make a great
first impression. The smell of last night's fish dinner doesn't.
10. Update light fixtures and repair
any that are in disrepair.
11. Make sure that doors open and
close properly.
12. Repair or re-grout ceramic tile.
13. Be creative. Throwing in a LCD
TV and surround sound could make the difference if they are on the fence
between two homes.
14. Locate a great agent. These
agents will have a strong marketing plan and know how to execute it. They will
also have a high list price-to-sales ratio and a high closing ratio. Don’t
hesitate to ask for an agent's sales results. There is a lot of money at stake,
and you deserve the best.
15. Clean like there is no tomorrow.
If your potential buyers can’t say that your home is the cleanest on the
market, grab a rag and get to work. Again, the buyers are imagining themselves
living in your home and if it’s not a pretty picture, neither will the offers
on your home
Job well done!
Spending a little extra time and
some careful planning can give you the extra edge to stand out, which will help
sell your home faster AND for thousands more. By trying some of these tips, buyers will
perceive your home as a value, and you’ll see the “SOLD” sign on your lawn
quickly, even in today’s market.
Keith Paul
is a State of Michigan Licensed
Builder and founder of HandyPro Handyman Service. The company has grown quickly with new
franchises being awarded throughout the US.
Aaron
Abbott serves the Dallas area, Kiefer, Addison, Allen, Carrollton, Irving, Plano, Frisco, Garland, The
Colony, Little Elm, McKinney, Richardson,
Rowlett, Wylie, El Paso
and neighboring cities and communities.
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