At the very least, these recommendations can help your home make a stronger impression, attract more attention from buyers, agents, and the marketplace, and generate the kind of positive response every seller wants.
Agents often choose the homes they show to buyers and/or preview them for buyers. Their opinion matters. In addition, these improvements tend to photograph beautifully and create a stronger first impression both online and in person, encouraging buyers to want to step inside and see more. REMEMBER it’s a numbers game, the more people that see the home the more likely a buyer will fall in like/love with the home, and therefore more likely to write an offer. And so, online photos matter more than ever to entice people to go see for themselves what you have to offer and thus urge them to come for an in person visit. YES it only takes ONE buyer to fall in love but having a number of people looking and liking what you have, creates a sense of urgency about getting it before someone else does, resulting in a quicker sale perhaps and/or with multiple offers, more money and/or less negotiating. Deductive logic.
With all of that in mind, these updates are highly recommended because they help your home stand out, attract positive attention from buyers, and improve the opportunity for an offer.
1- Paint the front door and update the house numbers. Real Simple magazine published a recent article stating that a BLACK front door garners over $6,449 more in a sale price. Zillow did a survey where experts mused that a black door is a classic choice that won't go out of style and makes a home look crisp and sophisticated. All of us aspire to something more than what we had/have. Oftentimes the “feeling a home evokes is what brings that to the forefront.” Other colors are popular as well, however, the most desirable was Black. IF you like dark colors, Green is very popular right now and an acceptable next choice could be Black Forest Green, dark, rich, Benjamin Moore color might have a similar effect. Slate blue was the next most popular, increasing the price by $1537. But if that is true, what the heck, paint it black, get the most value for the money. Easy choice, simple, semi-gloss usually, available everywhere.
2- Paint interior walls a warm neutral. Most paint stores have neutral interior paint color palettes or ask the staging professional what is trending at the time.
3- Update and replace every light fixture, maybe obtain help by someone other than yourself. Modern, trendy (yes) but matches the style of your home (again staging professionals know the most in demand styles and colors). This can update a home immediately for minimal expenditure.
4- Deep clean and declutter as if you don’t live there (and have already moved out). It’s easier to hit all of the nooks and crannies, when there is nothing obstructing. Think about a professional cleaning and windows washed inside and out.
5- Power wash everything, driveway, patios, walkways, siding, etc. for a fresh, clean smelling and removing all trash and dead trees, plants and debris.
