Easy Updates to Your Home to Help it Sell

When it comes to getting your house ready to list, small details can often get overlooked by sellers for larger more, glaring issues. The problem is that buyers notice it all, including the squeaky closet door or missing light bulb in the basement. Here is a list of easy, quick and cost-effective ways to ensure your house shows its best when it’s time to list!

Make Sure All the Light Bulbs Work

Sometimes closet light bulbs, hallway sconces and other little-used light fixtures get overlooked for dead light bulbs. You may even have to drag out the ladder for tall fixtures, but buyers check every switch, and the difference in lighting will be noticeable. A dead light bulb is most likely the cause, but potential buyers may think worse electrical problems are at hand.

Silence Squeaky Doors and Drawers

Potential buyers will cringe at the sound of a squeaky door or drawer that you’ve totally tuned out. Grab a $7 can of silicone spray from your local hardware store, and spray down all door hinges and drawer tracks.

Expand the Space

Moving furniture to the edges of a room is an easy fix for making areas seem larger. Hide extra furniture such as ottomans and side tables that crowd areas, and move furniture to the outsides of the walls and rugs. Open blinds and windows to bring in more natural light and visual space. Replace family photographs and artwork with mirrors to reflect light, as well.

Pretend Your House is a Hotel

Make the beds, fluff the pillows on beds and couches, and fold blankets and towels neatly. Clear surfaces and floors of clutter, and put out some fresh flowers.  Neatly arrange all bathroom products, empty the trash, and maybe even put out a fresh hand soap for a spa-like touch.

Corral All Seasonal Decorations

Your eyes probably don’t even see the off-season string of lights in that tree or the unlit Rudolph hiding in the scraggly bushes. But buyers will, so pack up the outdated seasonal touches or throw them out. Even in-season decorations should be kept minimal and easily removable. Dead mums, old pumpkins, past-prime wreaths and garlands all need to be composted or dumped.

Clean/Replace the Blinds

Dirty blinds are an eyesore, and you can easily clean them with a damp cloth. Broken blinds are easy to replace, and make a huge visual difference. Even knotted-up strings, missing wands and crooked hardware can turn off potential buyers. They see the replacements necessary as the result of poor maintenance. Make it easy for them by running to your local hardware store and grabbing some replacement blinds.