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Curb appeal draws buyers into your house. But appealing interiors make the sale.
You don't have to spend tens of thousands of dollars on your house prior to
putting up the For Sale sign. On the contrary, the little things you do
generally give the biggest increase in value. Concentrate on the three Cs --
clean up, clear out, and cosmetic improvements.
Just because we recommend using neutral colors doesn't mean that you should
make your house boring. Use fabric -- area rugs, table cloths, napkins, sofa
cushions, window curtains or drapes, bedspreads and quilts, bath and hand
towels, shower curtains, and so on -- to create temporary color accents in
rooms. Unlike other more permanent improvements, you can take these items with
you for use in your next home. You can also use flower arrangements to add
bright splashes of color to rooms.
Clean, scrub, and polish: Your stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave oven, and
other appliances must be spotlessly clean inside and out. Scour walls, floors,
bathtubs, showers, and sinks until they sparkle. Don't forget to clean the
ventilating hood in your kitchen.
Eliminate odors: Buyers will notice strong smells as soon as they walk
through your front door, so eliminate smoke, mildew, and pet odors. Cleaning
drapes and carpets helps get rid of odors. Remove ashes from the fireplace. If
you're a smoker, clean all ashtrays daily and take your smoking breaks in the
great outdoors until you sell your house. Use air fresheners or citrus-scented
potpourri to keep your house odor free. Whether you do the work or hire someone,
make sure that your house is spotless and smell-less.
Fix drippy faucets: If any of your sinks or bathtubs drain slowly, unclog
them. Just as car buyers love to kick tires, some property buyers test houses by
flushing toilets and running water in sinks and bathtubs to check drains.
Get rid of clutter: Keep clutter off kitchen counters and dirty dishes out of
the sink. Eliminating clutter and excess furniture makes rooms appear larger.
Store, sell, or give away surplus or bulky furniture. Recycle those stacks of
old magazines and newspapers you've been saving for no good reason. Dump all
that junk you've accumulated over the years in your attic and basement. Closet
space sells houses. Clean and organize closets, bookcases, and drawers.
Profit from your junk: Ironically, the clutter that reduces your house's
value is far from worthless. On the contrary, your junk is someone else's
treasure. Make a donation to your favorite charity and earn a tax deduction (be
sure to ask for a donation receipt). Have a garage sale.
Make cosmetic improvements: Painting isn't expensive if you do it yourself,
but be careful when selecting interior colors. Avoid cherry red, canary yellow,
cobalt blue, emerald green, and other bold colors with strong visual impact. You
may love the effect, but you aren't the buyer. Stick to conventional whites,
soft pastels, and other neutral colors that won't clash with most prospective
buyers' tastes. If, like most basements, yours is dark and gloomy, paint the
walls and ceiling a light color and put the highest wattage light bulbs you can
safely use in your light fixtures to brighten the space up. Repair cracks in the
floor.
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E-mail Scott Pessin