Low-Cost Interior Improvements

Every home seller’s goal is to sell their house for maximal value. Many go the extra mile, with renovating and upgrading as much as they can, not knowing that ultimately, they end up spending way more than they get back in value.

When it comes to selling your home, it’s the little things that can go a long way to increase the price you can eventually charge for your house.

For instance, most buyers respond positively to a clean, clutter-free home that is in good condition rather than one that is packed with luxurious items bought 30 years ago.

As time goes on, we become accustomed to our homes, often overlooking the eyesores and the list of honey-dos that were never completed.

Clutter accumulates.

We think nothing of the low light.

The pale and cracked paint.

However, buyers do. Sometimes they notice even the smallest details you haven’t noticed since you started living in the house. But since you haven’t noticed them, how can you change them?

Well, having an unbiased opinion is a wonderful idea. It’s important to have someone who can point out those areas that need your attention. This person may often be Real Estate Professional who has the knowledge and experience to know where you can improve your home.

Besides giving you advice on how you can improve your house and get it ready for sale, he or she is also familiar with other homes in your neighborhood and what people are usually after in these areas.

Your Real Estate Professional can recommend larger items to complete, such as:

• Painting

• Flooring upgrades

• Light Fixtures

• Crown Molding

• Other major repairs that stick out

However, there are numerous smaller, inexpensive things you can do to greatly improve the showing of your home. With a little elbow grease and a little creativity, it is easy to keep your home in prime showing condition.

1. Declutter

Prior to the listing, have a garage sale.

The rule is “less is better.”

Clean. Organize. Discard. Donate.

• Pack all that you can.

• Clean out closets, and storage areas.

• Donate old clothes and furniture to local charities.

This will create a sense of greater space — and mean less to move.

What about all those books and magazines that you don’t need anymore?

Perhaps you can donate them to your:

• Local library
• Hospital
• Charity and make someone’s day while you’re at it

Also, create counter space.

• Store away any extra appliances you’re not using
• Put away dish racks
• Soap dishes
• And of course, remove the magnets you bought on your trips from the refrigerator
  

2. Stage Your House

We recently talked about the importance of staging, both inside and the outside area.

Set the stage for your buyers!

Take full advantage of the areas in your home.

• Set the table with your best china
• Create warmth and coziness in the living room
• Start a crackling fire
• Put a pair of wine glasses and a vase of flowers on the coffee table in front of the fire
• Put a screen or a basket of flowers in front of a fireplace, if not in use
• Make sure there is enough room for visitors to view out the windows
• Remove any clutter around window areas and of course,
• Clean the windows

3. Create A Nice Smell

1. Eliminate the odors in your house.
2. Buyers respond less favorably to smells.
3. Use cleansers of all kinds to make the home smell fresh, from carpet freshener to potpourri.
4. Make sure to deodorize your cat’s litter box.

Make sure that you:

• Scoop litter daily
• Put cedar chips inside the closets to give them a nice smell. Someone may open them, so it’s nice to feel a refreshing smell coming out of it

You can also use the sense of smell to your advantage by having fresh-baked cookies or other baked goods on the kitchen table. It will make your house feel more like a home for potential buyers from the minute they enter.

4. Take Away The Pets

Many people have both allergies and concerns when it comes to animals.

If you have a pet;

• Make arrangements to have it elsewhere when a home is being shown
• Besides, it may get excited or scared when it sees unfamiliar people in the house and draw away attention, both yours and the viewers’

5. Create Space

• Ensure that all doors, cabinets, and drawers open all the way without bumping into anything or sticking
• Clean out the entry closet
• Move oversized furniture to a storage
  facility or garage
• Entrances to all rooms should have an open flow so buyers can freely go from one room to another
  

6. Decor

When it comes to decor in a house up for sale, it’s easy to make a mistake if you try to impress everyone. That’s why it’s best to aim for neutral decor.

Neutral colors are more appealing to buyers anyway, so when you get a matching decor the chances to make a mistake are slim.

7. De-personalize

De-personalize your teenager’s room, the family room or other areas by removing wild posters or items that could be construed as offensive.

Your children may love those posters and you’re surely attached to that magnet collection on your fridge, but the buyers are not interested in them. They want to see the rooms as plain and neutral as possible.

It’s easier to envision how they would arrange them without your personal stuff all around it.

8. Pay Attention to Details

We also discussed how important it is to maintain your home in one of our previous articles. So, when selling your house, make sure to show how well you’ve kept your house (even if it’s a bit exaggerated).

• Increase the wattage throughout the whole house
• Pay attention to the laundry room
• Kitchen
• Bathrooms, as these are major points of interest for buyers

A. Prior to showing,

• Turn on the lights in every room to illuminate the furniture
• Decor
• Expose any focal points of the rooms

B. Family photos.

• Place family photos throughout your home
• Especially the living room
• Bedrooms
• And family rooms

9. Stand Back

Finally, once you have completed these inexpensive items, stand back. Ask a friend to view your home.

What do you feel?

Is it warm and inviting?

Does it look comfortable and spacious?

Is the aroma pleasant?

When you create a positive, warm environment it is likely your buyer will feel the same way. However, try to be impartial and see the real picture. It may not feel like your home when you see it, but that’s the point, isn’t it?

At GTA Real Estate Pros, we make sure that you get the right Realtor to make your life easier.

Get started today for free, no obligations, by applying through our 40 second application: https://www.gtarealestatepros.ca/Apply-Now. Based on your location and needs, we’ll find a great, proven, and effective Realtor to talk to you.