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HOW TO GET EVERY DOLLAR
YOU DESERVE... BY GETTING THE FULL VALUE OF YOUR HOUSE.
Compliments of: Linda Christianson
The ability to reap
additional profits on the sale of your home can be accomplished easily
enough if you make the right improvements. Many changes
can provide the prospective buyer with enhanced feelings about your
home. Feelings of more space, more light, more rooms, more closet
space, greater privacy, warmth and security. Basic, simple and
inexpensive improvements can provide an improved emotional response in a
potential buyer.
An example could be
something as small as a crack in the paint on a wall. Simply by
applying some plaster and touch up paint, you eliminated what may be an
unstated concern that your home was poorly maintained. Though the
feeling may be unconscious, it’s just as important that the potential
buyer feel an overall desire for your home. If you are working with a
small budget these simple techniques will work absolute wonders:
1.
The Magic of Mirrors!
Mirrors can provide
a greater sense of space and elegance when properly placed. Be careful
not to overdo it, but when placed properly throughout your home, each
area will seem larger to the potential homebuyer. Try looking in your
attic or basement for any old mirrors, but be sure they have a nice
frame or at least give the frame a new coat of paint. You may also want
to visit a local flea market or garage sale, you can almost always get a
great deal on an old mirror or two. Putting one foot square mirrors on
a closet door in the master bedroom is always an attractive touch.
2.
Adding Additional Closet Space
One
of the biggest complaints heard from potential buyers is that there just
isn’t enough closet space! Simply purchasing an inexpensive closet
organizer and installing it in any or all of your closets can make all
the difference. You can also try putting a rod across one corner of a
bedroom for hanging clothes. Also you could try hanging a screen made
from a variety of materials. The screen could match the material of the
bedspread, drapes etc. The idea here is to be creative so that the
“fake closet” looks as though it was a part of the room.
3.
Make a Bare Wall Beautiful
Wallpaper
is inexpensive, quick and easy to do! The right wallpaper can brighten
the room or hallway and bring it back to life. Be careful to choose
something with a neutral design or pattern, remember you’re trying to
move out.
4. Bring Old
Floors Back to Life!
Nothing turns off a
potential buyer quicker than dull, dingy, disgusting looking floors.
Whether you have wax, wooden or tiled floors do whatever you can to make
them shine again! For wax floors, either rent a floor machine and do it
yourself or, if it’s in your budget, hire a professional. Have a
professional give you an estimate and explain exactly what they would do
to bring your floors back to life. If you have them explain what they
would do, it may be just as easy to do it yourself. If you have
carpeted floors you should either have the carpet steam cleaned or
install new carpeting. This may sound expensive but new carpeting can
add thousands of dollars to the value of your home.
5.
Add Attractive Plants
Having plants in
the house is not only healthy for you but you create a warm feeling with
them. Many indoor plants are far less expensive then you might
imagine. Attractive pots such as ceramic, brass or even designer
plastic will add a designer flair to your home. Hanging plants such as
Boston ferns are inexpensive, easy to care for and would go great in
your new home wherever you move.
6.
Adding a Room Without Calling in the Contractor!
This
simple but seldom used technique can give a buyer the feeling there are
more actual rooms in your house. Floor to ceiling room dividers are
inexpensive and simple to install. When a buyer walks through your
home, they will generally count the rooms in a subconscious manner.
Each room will present an emotional response as they walk through your
home. By dividing and designing each side of your room, you create a “
separate room” feeling in the potential buyer. It may sound crazy but
it works!
7. Clean Up
the Bathroom
We’ve probably all
heard that phrase a hundred times growing up as children! Well guess
what? It’s still valid. Give your bathroom a face-lift if needed:
fresh paint, decorative moldings, tile grout, new designer faucets are
all attractive eye catchers.
8. What is
That Smell?
Though
people don’t like to admit it, everyone's home has a certain smell
to it. We just never notice it because we live with it day in, day
out. Strategically placing fresh scent devices throughout the home will
be pleasant to the nose of any potential buyer. As a matter of fact, an
old Realtor trick is to pop some cinnamon rolls in an oven 5 minutes
before a showing. I bet you thought all Realtors just had a sweet
tooth!
I
sincerely hope these tips and ideas are of value to you. If there is
any way that I may be of service please contact our office. I would
consider it a privilege to be of service to you! Please call me at
218-825-3610 or 800-285-9701.
Ext. # 5048
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