Declutter
The average home in the U.S. contains 300,000 items, and 25 percent of Americans claim to have a "clutter" problem. A cluttered home appears disorganized and cramped — not ideal to entice potential buyers. It's no wonder 96 percent of Realtors recommend decluttering to their sellers before listing a home.
"When I meet with a potential seller, my priority is typically decluttering the space," "If the seller doesn't make a concerted effort to remove clutter, buyers have a hard time actually seeing the home."
If you have the time and energy, you can declutter yourself for free. However, if you don't feel up to the task, lots of professional organizers out there will do it for you. A typical hourly rate is $50 to $60. Larger jobs that require more workers and time can cost more.
Thorough Cleaning
Cleaning your home goes hand-in-hand with decluttering to create a positive first impression. It's recommended by 88 percent of Realtors before an open house. A clean home enhances the overall appeal and signals to buyers the property is in good condition, potentially increasing their willingness to make an offer.
A house should 'sparkle' before a showing, I'll recommend a cleaning person to come in and do a deep cleaning. It's well worth the money.
I always recommend having the home professionally cleaned just before showings start.
Professionally deep cleaning a 1,000 square foot home professionally will cost about $100 to $300. It will take two people one to three hours to thoroughly scrub, dust and vacuum all home surfaces, even hard-to-reach areas. To do it yourself will cost about $50 in cleaning supplies and at least five to six hours of your time.
Minor Drywall Repair
Repairing minor drywall problems presents a well-maintained and move-in ready appearance to potential buyers. Even minor imperfections can raise concerns about the overall condition of the property, possibly deterring buyers or giving them leverage to negotiate a lower price.
Repairing drywall damage is a simple DIY task requiring basic tools and know-how. If you hire a professional, expect to pay $300 to $500 depending on the size and scope of the project. A pro is worth the money if you're unsure of your DIY skills.
There's almost always some drywall that needs fixing. Even if it's small, a hole in drywall looks bad and signals a lack of maintenance by the homeowner. That's why 72 percent of Realtors recommend sellers complete this project before listing their home.
Cleaning carpets before an open house is crucial to enhance the overall appearance and freshness of a home, with 71 percent of Realtors agreeing it's an important task before a showing. Clean carpets eliminate odors and allergens, creating a more inviting and comfortable environment that's more likely to appeal to prospective buyers.
The average cost for professional carpet cleaning is $0.33 per square foot, but can be higher or lower depending on carpet type.
For those looking to do this project yourself, you can rent Rug Doctor rug cleaning machines at most grocery stores and home improvement centers for $35 to $50 for 24 hours, plus the cost of cleaning solution. These machines are user-friendly and meant for homeowner DIY use.
Touch Up or Repaint Problem Walls
Touching up or repainting problem walls before putting your house on the market
can significantly improve the overall aesthetics of your home and give the
impression of a well-maintained property.
"I tell [sellers] to focus on small projects like touching up paint on walls and woodwork,
Paint goes a long way in freshening up a home. 57 to 58 percent of Realtors
recommend this project to their sellers.
A professional painter will cost $2 to $7 per square foot, or about $3,500 for an average
size house. This price does not include paint, which will cost $35 to $70 per gallon
and cover 350 to 400 square feet. If you have the time, tools and skill, homeowners
can save on these costs by doing it themselves.
Remove Personal Items
Remove personal items like collectibles, memorabilia, religious artifacts and photos to
neutralize your home. This allow buyers to envision themselves living there.
"I tell people to take all pictures off the refrigerator and the walls, which people struggle
with sometimes," Tourville says. "I tell them it helps people picture themselves living there
and helps a space look less cluttered." Sixty-five percent of Realtors polled said they
recommend depersonalizing a home before a showing.
In the same NAR profile, Realtors call living rooms, kitchens and primary bedrooms
the most important rooms for staging, so these should be the focus of any depersonalizing
efforts. This can be part of a staging company's services, but can also be done by
homeowners with the time and some empty boxes.
IMPROVE LANDSCAPING
Fifty percent of Realtors suggest improving landscaping before any showings to enhance the overall
curb appeal. The outside of the house is the first thing people see when they drive up.
It's crucial to a buyer's first impression.
Regrout Shower
Regrouting or touching up grout improves the cleanliness and appearance of a
bathroom while preventing potential water damage issues.
Holly Hurd~ Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kee, Realty.... your source for all your real estate. We are one of the Largest brokerage firms in Michigan, we have proven we can stand the test of time in this ever changing marketplace a proven leader for you and all your real estate needs. In today's competitive real estate market, timing is everything. Many good homes are sold before they are ever advertised. Beat other homebuyers to the hottest new homes for sale in the Wayne/Oakland co. area with my New Listings Notification. If you own real estate that you're thinking of selling, I would be happy to provide you with a FREE Home Evaluation. Whether you are buying or selling a home, hire someone like me, who wants to earn your business. I invite you to contact me as I'd be happy to assist you with this important transaction. In addition, if you have any general questions about buying or selling real estate in Michigan, please contact me as I'm more than willing to help.YOU CAN REACH ME DIRECT BY PHONE ANYTIME AT 734 718-5736 #YourHomeNorthvilleMichigan Real Estate Homes for sale in Northville Michigan Northville, Mi. 48167 #realtor #realestate #realestatemarket #hometown #hollyhurd #home
#puremichigan #berkshirehathaway #sellahome
