Dear Tonya
7/14/2010
Dear Tanya,
My husband lost his job, and we can’t manage the mortgage payment for much longer. What can we do to sell fast and high without investing money we don’t have. –HOLEY POCKETS
Dear Holey Pockets,
You don’t have to spend a fortune to prep your house for the market. Some of the most effective value builders don’t cost anything or very much at all. Here are a few ideas that will get you started.
A. CUT THE CLUTTER. Getting rid of things is easier if you enlist the cooperation of everyone in the family. Have boxes in every room to sort the “keepers” from the items you’ll donate, sell at a yard sale, give away to friends, or send to the dumpster. Clear surfaces. Remove excess pictures, posters, and other exhibits. Pack up your collections and memorabilia. Keep in mind that prospective buyers will be opening your closets, cabinets, drawers, and oven, so make sure all your “keepers” are stored away neatly.
B. DEEP CLEAN. There’s probably no cheaper home improvement you can make. Wash your windows, drapes, and blinds. Clean the bathroom tile and regrout and recaulk with fresh new product. Clean lampshades and ceiling fan blades. Scrub your stove and oven and vent hood to shine like new. Steam clean carpet and any soiled upholstery, and remove wax build-up and dirty-mop borders around vinyl flooring. Remove any pet messes as soon as they happen. Wash smudges from walls, especially around light fixtures, and make sure every room looks and smells fresh and clean.
C. REPAINT AND TOUCH UP AS NECESSARY. Select neutral colors that aren’t likely to compete with other people’s décor. If walls and doors need to be patched, be sure to make the repairs before you paint.
D. LET THERE BE LIGHT. Increase the wattage in dark areas, such as closets, halls, and windowless areas. When expecting visitors, open all the drapes and turn on all the lights.
E. MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS, BUT DON’T REMODEL. If the doorbell button is broken, replace it. If the screen is torn, get another one. If the outside light doesn’t have a shade, be sure to install a new one. Replace any cracked and missing switch plates. If your living room drapes have tattered linings, remove the drapes. Fix the leaky faucet and the runny toilet. Replace old and mineralized shower heads; free water-saver heads are available from the water company. Replace broken or outdated hardware as needed. If you notice something is broken, so will the buyer.
F. CREATE CURB APPEAL. Remove hoses, yard equipment, newspapers, bikes, and toys from the yard. Get rid of pet droppings as soon as they happen. Pull weeds and fill in bald spots in your lawn and rockscaping. Sweep and hose down walks regularly. Keep cars off the grass. If your house looks bland, paint the door a bright color, fly a flag or banner, and set out a few potted blooms to turn heads in your direction.
REMEMBER: You never have a second chance to make a first impression.