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| A fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive way to make a quick improvement |
Spring and summer are the most popular times of year for
home buying and selling. If you are
considering selling your home, it’s a good idea to take a critical look at it
before you list. Many people think that
boosting your home’s equity costs a lot of money. Truth is there are many things you can do for
very little money and get top dollar for your home.
Century 21 LSB Real Estate has come up with some ways that
you can increase the value of your home before putting it on the market. So
take a look, then get to work!
(All figures taken from HomeGain’s 2009 survey of 1,000
realtors across the country. While this data is a few years old, it can still
give you a good idea of which projects to go after)
- Clean and De-clutter- buyers want to visualize themselves in your home, and that’s hard to do with a lot of your stuff in the way. Make sure carpets are cleaned, all cabinets, drawers and closets are cleaned and organized, and keep your bathrooms sparkling. Average cost: $100-200, home price increase: $1500-2000, realtors recommending this: 98 percent
- Replace or shampoo carpets- your carpet should appear clean and not come with an odor. Those that are odorless can be cleaned, while smelly carpets should be replaced with an odorless and neutral color carpet. Average cost: $400-500, home price increase: $1000-1500, realtors recommending this: 97 percent
- Brighten things up- the more light you can get into your home, the better. Clean all windows, shutters, blinds and drapes, install the brightest light bulbs possible at the right wattage and prune trees to make sure they aren’t blocking any light. Average cost: $200-300, home price increase: $1000-1500, realtors recommending this: 95 percent
- Tame the yard- landscaping is a must since many buyers will judge a home based solely on “curb appeal.” Remove all clutter and dead/dying plants, trim/prune grass, bushes, hedges, trees, and edge and trim to give the yard a nice boundary. Average cost: $300-400, home price increase: $1500-2000, realtors recommending this: 94 percent
- Give your home interior a fresh coat- whether it’s touching up or completely repainting a room, getting it right means prepping right. Repair nicks or cracks in the drywall, sand down patched areas prime, and be sure to use quality paint. Average cost: $500-750, home price increase: $1500-2000, realtors recommending this: 94 percent
These are just a few ideas to add value to your home equity.
Updating kitchens and bathrooms are also great ways to make sure your home
sells at the price you want.
