Selling Strategies: Cost Effective Fixes

A cooling North Bay housing market means sellers can no longer sit back be selective about offers. Properties showing their age and the wear and tear of everyday living are being scrutinized by buyers. Dressing up a home with a thorough cleaning and decorator touches may be vital to luring increasingly fussy buyers. Just as important as dressing up a home, the proper function of the basic systems is important. Here are a few quick tips on items you can look for in your walk through to improve the first impression without busting the bank.

1) Toilets: toilets are relatively cheap ($45.00+) and fairly easy to install for a handyperson. Dirty, dingy or malfunctioning toilets are a big turn off.

2) Dripping Faucets: a dripping faucet may only require a .45 cent washer and some time for a handyperson. Dripping faucets make buyers wonder about what other leaks and resulting damage exist in the home.

2) Kitchen and Bath Flooring: It's no surprise that kitchens and bathrooms sell a home, so spiffing up these spaces, even for a few hundred dollars, can go a long way toward boosting the asking price and generating interest.

3) Landscaping: Get rid of clutter and dead vegetation and add color with some new plantings. When possible, try to pick flowers that will bloom in time for showings, remove broken and dated lawn features and fences -- and, says Duffy, tear out chain-link fences in any condition.

4) Clutter: A living room should have a couch and chairs, a table, some plants and maybe a TV, not a 30-year life history clean out the closets and don't forget the garage. Impeding the view of a potential buyer can raise red flags and make it difficult for some to envision their furniture in the space. It may also be a red flag for any inspector who does not get a good view of the walls, ceilings, and floors.

Tip: Don't rid the home of its lamps, however. Plenty of light, including a small lamp on a kitchen counter, can go a long way to warm the place up. Made beds and emptied garbage cans should become second nature since sellers never know when they may have to show the place on little notice.

5) Pay for a Home Inspection prior to investing in any upgrade projects sellers can better prioritize upgrade ideas and budget accordingly.

Written by Steve Ramos, Envirovue Home Inspection
707-322-6445
steve@envirovue.com

If you are looking for a home inspector that you can team up with to bring value and service to your clients please consider my company, Envirovue Home Inspection for your next referral.

http:///www.envirovue.com

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