HomeFit Issue 1 - Kari Crowell One | Page 4

What to Fix In and Outside Your House before Selling If you’ve decided to sell your house then the next step you take is to make some improvements to its exterior and interior. Professional home stagers say this is the only way to ensure that your real estate agent will be able to sell your property in a reasonable amount of time for the price that it’s worth. You’ll want to plan and complete these improvements before your home is listed and you’ll want to do it without spending overboard. First Things First In real estate, as with so many things in life, first impressions are everything. That’s why the first thing you should focus on improving is how the outside of your house looks, commonly known as curb appeal. That’s because the exterior of your property is the first thing a potential buyer sees. Cosmetic touches such as making sure your lawn is mowed and your shrubbery is trimmed are a must. If your house has siding that is weathered you should invest in getting it pressured washed. Some companies advertise that they will pressure wash any house for just $199. Or if you want to save some money and you have the time, you could rent a pressure washer. It goes without saying that if there is any siding missing, it should also be replaced. 4 If your house doesn’t have siding and it hasn’t been painted in a few years, consider putting on a new coat or two. This should include painting your front and garage doors. Inside Improvements Will Boost Its Value Again, inside cosmetic improvements can help you get top dollar for your home. You should focus on improving the first impression a potential buyer gets when they enter it. If the tile in your foyer is dated or cracked, replace it. However, don’t improve something that is in fair shape but just needs to be scrubbed. For example, sometimes bathtub faucets can be spotted, dull and grimy. That’s the time to clean and polish them, resurrecting their original shine and beauty. As with the exterior of your home, a coat or two of paint can cover up blemishes and accentuate the architectural lines of your dwelling. It’s not unusual for those putting their homes up for sale to have second thoughts after sprucing the old place up!