Many soon-to-be-sellers ask us how much time, effort and money they should put into Home Seller fix ups. In general, there is no hard and fast rule. It can depend on what type of buyer you are trying to appeal to. If your
target buyer is a “fixer-upper” buyer, then obviously your cash outlay may be considerably lower than for a “move-in condition” buyer.
The Three Phases Of Fix-ups
The basics.
Requires a minimum cash outlay, typically requiring more elbow grease than money. Includes: Mow the lawn. Trim the bushes. Edge. Clean closets, storage areas, garage. Wash windows. Scour the kitchen and bath.
Middle of the road.
The basics plus cosmetic repainting of dingy rooms, repairing broken fixtures, replacing worn carpet, etc.
Big guns.
At this level, major refurbishments come into play, like installing a new roof, updating kitchen cabinets, replacing old systems and appliance.
Why should I replace and update now when I’ll be moving out soon?
Because you’ll increase both the value and the marketability of your home.
Because many of these repairs would be required by the buyer or the buyer’s home inspector anyway. Now is a better time to fix up than the last minute when you’ve got the sale of your home hanging in the balance.
You’ve now got the luxury of time and can seek out the best professionals to help with your projects.
Do buyers like a furnished house better?
If you have a choice, it is usually better to sell your home while it is still furnished. That way, prospective buyers can more easily imagine how it will look when they move in, even though their furnishings will be different. Generally homes that are furnished sell more quickly and for a higher price than vacant homes.
If you have to move out before you sell your home, consider leaving some furniture behind to help give the house a lived-in feel.
Is it better to replace the carpet or offer a carpeting allowance to buyers?
Replacing the carpet to help the house sell faster is a favorite with real estate agents. And there’s a good reason. Taking a shortcut by offering a carpeting allowance doesn’t have the visual impression – or sales impact – of new carpet. Here are some guidelines to be sure the new carpet has the maximum effect:
Select neutral colors.
The color should be neutral or a dull color tone to help the room look bigger. When carpeting several adjoining rooms, the same carpet should be used, if possible – again to make the house seem larger and more unified.
Select high quality pad.
The pad under the carpet is important, and not a place to cut corners. A good pad is dense and resilient, and gives an expensive feel to almost any carpet. Pads come in a variety of materials including rubber, foam, felt, and jute.
Select fiber carefully.
Choose a fiber that suits the area where the carpet will be installed. Carpets are made of a variety of man-made and natural fibers, and often are comprised of popular combinations of fibers. Nylon is durable and resilient, and suitable for high-traffic areas. Olefin is economical and stain-resistant, good for active families. Polyester is soft and elegant, and appropriate for a higher-style area. Wool is a warm natural fiber, luxurious and expensive.
Select loop to match use.
The type of loop should depend on the use. A sheared loop like plush works in more formal areas; a continuous loop, such as Berber, is suitable for children’s play areas.
What’s a cheap and easy way to make your home more attractive to buyers?
Turn on all your lights, both inside and out, when showing your home to possible buyers. Open curtains, drapes and blinds. Light not only helps prospects see your rooms better, light helps buyers see your home as warm and inviting