10 Cheap Ways to Improve the Value of Your Home Before Selling

One of the misconceptions in selling your home is to not put money into it. Often times, home sellers want to get out of their home quickly, and forget that marketing your home is crucial. Here are ten ways to improve the value of your home, and boost you above your competition.
1.) Curb Appeal: Homebuyers make up their mind about your home before they step in the front door. Ensure your landscaping, lawn, and flowering beds are free of weeds and debris. Walk around the entire house and remove toys, fix lighting, and sprinkler heads.  At the front entry consider repainting the front door and adding a pot of fresh flowers.

2.) Declutter: Believe it or not space is one of the top selling points for a home. Before you spend one penny on improvements, sort, donate, and declutter all rooms in your home.

3.)  Clean: This tip seems obvious, but the level of cleanliness needs to feel like you’re staying at a posh hotel. Clean all windows, carpets, furniture, closets, and bathrooms thoroughly. Consider buying new towels, rugs, bedding, and window treatments to inexpensively add value to your home.

4.)  Paint: Fresh paint in neutral colors will attract many a homebuyer. Don’t forget the baseboards and trim! Just like a lawn without edging, painting walls without the trim looks unfinished and dirty.

5.)  Master Bedroom/Bathroom: The Masteras quarters are the homebuyers retreat. Ensure all closets, drawers and table surfaces have minimal content. If you need to put belongings in storage, under bed containers, or in others closets, do so! In the bathroom, similar to the kitchen, upgrade where affordable. Showers/tubs, mirrors, floors, toilet, countertops must be clean and free of excess toiletries.

6.)  Update the Kitchen: Do what you can afford, comfortably. Appliances, cabinetry, countertops and flooring can always be updated. For cheaper solutions, make sure appliances are clean and working, Resurface or paint cabinets. Adding new door pulls can make cabinets feel fresh and new. If countertops or flooring is damaged, replace with like material.

7.)  Storage: Closets, organization in cabinets, and shelving are crucial in home buying. When decluttering donat forget these spaces. Homebuyers will look in your closets! Is more space needed? Consider buying closet organizers to increase the vertical use of your walls. Pay special attention in garages, basements and kids rooms. These areas tend to collect unneeded items and may need to be donated to charity, or sold.

8.)  Light: Make sure all windows are operational, and let in natural light. Are the fixtures in your home outdated? Consider upgrading fixtures or adding lamps and sconces to rooms that are dark. A  Homebuyers donat only view homes in the daytime. Consider higher wattage bulbs throughout your home to illuminate all the amenities.

9.)  Get a Home Inspection: A home inspector can point out unforeseen issues that you never would have found. Issues like roofing, plumbing, heating/air conditioning, and electrical need to be addressed before an offer is made on your home. Remember, a potential buyer can walk away from their offer if your home fails a quality home inspection.

10.)  Senses: Homebuyers are swayed by their emotions that are linked to the five senses. Smell: Do not clean with harsh chemicals when your home will be viewed. Consider cleaning the day before. Remember pet areas should be as clean as the rest of the home. A  Sound: Have light, soft music playing during an open house or showing. Sight: Bright and airy feeling is appealing and comforting. Touch: Make furniture and bedrooms feel livable and desirable. Taste: Have a warm batch of fresh chocolate chip cookies ready? You may get an offer on the spot!