Question. We have
decided to sell our home of 40 years. We don’t have the funds to remodel our
home. We do have a newer roof and furnace. We are hoping these two updates will
add some value to our home. We have many memories here so we don’t want to give
it away. Any suggestions?
Answer. You have made your house a home by raising
your Family here and creating priceless memories. That will never change. But,
if you haven’t updated in 40 years, your home will not be priceless to
potential buyers because you cannot compete with homes that have been updated,
and you can be assured that the appraiser will agree! A newer furnace and roof
are home essentials & are assumed to be in excellent condition. These will
not add value, but will give you an advantage over a home with OLDER
essentials.
Here are a few things
you can do to add value at a minimum expense. The exterior is your home’s first
impression. Get a bucket of soap & water. Have some fun while cleaning.
Throw on your Bermuda shorts, rent a power washer & hit the deck, stairs
& gutters. Make your walkways sparkle- Wizard of Oz style. Add curb appeal by cutting & edging your
lawn for a very clean look. Add color to your exterior with flowers and bushes.
Can’t afford to paint the exterior? Paint shutters, doors & trim. Tack on
some new address digits to keep things classy.
In terms of selling, the Kitchen is the most important room.
Add new hardware to cabinet doors. Make the Kitchen look Sparkling clean.
Bathrooms can help sell a home. How about adding a new toilet seat, shower
curtains and rugs? Also, remember these 2 important words: “Sparkling Clean.”
How about some new switch covers? Dump the orange carpet and expose those nice
Hardwood floors. All these
inexpensive touches can make your home stand out from the competition. Sharp
homes sell faster and for more money than average homes. Don’t forget about
painting the interior too. Bold colors do not mean beautiful. In fact, they
devalue a home. Stick to neutral colors and be sure to stay away from white
walls! It’s a home, not a Laboratory!
