Little Fixes That Make a Big Difference When Selling Your Home

"How much is my house worth?" is the most common question asked of Realtors. The second most common? "What should I do to the house to get it ready to sell?"

Most home sellers understand that getting the most money possible for their home requires making the fixes that buyers expect. And they are correct. But, that is not the only task the homeowners face.

Deferred Maintenace is a Deal Killer

Your buyer will most likely need a mortgage to purchase your home. Before the lender approves a loan, there will be an appraisal. One of the factors that the appraiser will consider when determining the market value is how well it has been maintained.

If you have neglected to maintain the home over the years, the appraiser will deduct value from the home. All the little things that you've grown accustomed to should be fixed. Examples include cracked window glass, dripping faucets, broken light fixtures, ratty carpeting, dirty AC filters, and chipped paint.

Perception is Everything

"Smells, colors, sounds you can hear, inside or out, can have an influence on whether a home will sell. Perception is everything in home sales, and the presentation starts with a thorough cleaning. Potential buyers will immediately notice a mess, so consider hiring professionals to deep clean the home.

The second phase of whipping the home's presentation into shape is staging. The goal is to make the home light and bright, roomy, and ready to move into. Don't neglect storage areas. Clear out oversized items, and then organize what is left to give the appearance of having extra room.

Once your home is on the market, you have one chance to make a good impression. Make sure it's the best one.