To get the best chance of a top offer on your home, it is helpful to make sure the home is fresh and clean before potential buyers visit. People want to look around and envision seeing their children playing or their favorite things sitting in a particular spot. Old or outdated materials may turn off people who would otherwise fall in love with the property. Here are four things to update before the open house.
Carpet
Dull, dingy floors can make buyers think the house is dirty. Even if you have professional carpet cleaning, unsightly stains can be a big deterrent. The best way to make sure buyers find the charm in your house is to make sure the floors do not draw unwanted attention. Simply hiding the problem with staging can put you in a position to get lower bids. The buyer may ask for a contingency like so much money off the asking price to pay for the cost of replacing the carpet. It is better to take care of it, so there are no problems.
Paint
New paint makes the house look fresh. A neutral palette is best because custom colors can turn off some buyers. Eliminating the issue of painting for the new person moving in can make it easier to get top dollar. Accent walls are great, as long as you use a classic color like navy blue or taupe. Trying to get too creative with bright yellows or deep greens, however, can be a turn-off to those who don’t share your color preferences. Neutral colors are best not only because it won’t draw attention to itself, but because it will match any color scheme the new family chooses.
Windows
No one wants to imagine living in a home with old windows. This image conjures up thoughts of drafty rooms and pesky insects. New window installation is expensive, but the cost may be easy to recoup when selling. Your agent can give you more information about the returns. In particular, you should replace windows if they do not fit properly in their frames anymore, show significant wear and cracks that cannot be neatly sealed or are unable to open and close properly despite being designed to do so. Not only does this act as a sign of foundation damage to the home, but it also shows a lack of care and maintenance that significantly lowers the value of a home.
Old fixtures
Just like paint, outdated faucets and showerheads are other drawbacks to buyers. Shiny, new lights are a nice touch because they draw the eye around the room. They also let you show off the best features of the house. For instance, crown molding with a new coat of paint is easier to see with a new chandelier or sconces. Plus, new lighting keeps the home more secure preventing trip hazards.
Updating some things in the home help buyers see the beauty of the place. Some people get hung up on the problems, so eliminating the biggest ones is the best way to avoid low bids. You may even get more than asking when you improve inside and out for overall appeal.
Author Bio: Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure.