When it's time to sell your home, a little effort can mean a big pay-off. While I'm sure you've heard the term home staging, preparing your home for a sale doesn't have to be complicated. Sure, you can hire professionals to completely update and re-decorate your home. Market analysis is showing that the money invested comes back plus some in higher sale prices and faster sales. However, there's a lot you can do on your own to spruce up your home for sale, giving buyers an excellent first impression.
The outside is obviously what someone sees first about your home. If you're exterior needs re-painting, it's worth doing it. A cute paint-job on a cute home makes it so much more appealing than a faded and pealing one. Choose trendy colors, but don't go too crazy. Anything too bold or unique might not be to a buyer's taste. Sometimes a home just needs a little wash to brighten it up. Decide what your home needs and don't hesitate to do it.
After the house itself comes the yard. If you rented a power washer to clean your house, be sure to wash the driveway and walkways as well. These often get stained by water run-off and can accumulate moss and other living things. A good washing should make them look crisp and new.
How is your landscaping? Do some pruning. If you aren't sure what to do, there are quite a few very informative web sites out there, or you can probably hire a professional for not too much money, depending on the size of your yard. Hedges are usually pretty straight forward to trim, as long as you've got a bit of a sense of balance and think you can maintain a straight line. If not, it might be better to pay a professional than end up with an awkwardly crooked hedge-height.
Flowers can really make a place look cheerful and beautiful. Bulbs are perennials, and a really low maintenance way to make your yard look good. If you are anticipating a spring or early summer sale, plant some bulbs in the fall.
Once your yard has been beautified, turn your attention to the front door. Make sure it looks good and opens smoothly. In fact, this goes for all the doors in your home, including those on closets and cupboards. Squeaking or sticking doors signify a worn-out home and the need for an immediate repair. If a buyer sees immediate repairs are needed, they may not be as quick to appreciate all your home has to offer. Replace latches if necessary, grease hinges and be sure to wash dust off of the ridges in your doors and cupboards. I just did this the other day in my home and was surprised how much dust had collected on my doors.
This brings me to another important point: cleaning. Home selling is a time for doing those deep cleans that might not be a part of your weekly or even monthly cleaning routine. Clean every corner and crevice. Kitchens and bathrooms are especially important to buyers.
De-cluttering is also an important step. Buyers want to see the home, not all your decorations. Don't take everything away and make your home look sparse, but if you collect nick-knacks, or have crowded furniture, it might be a good idea to get an early start on your packing. And don't think you can stuff everything into a spare room or closet. A buyer is going to want to see those spaces too. If you really have a lot of stuff, consider renting storage space until your move is complete.
While some of this might seem like a lot of work, it is shown that nicer looking homes sell faster, and frequently sell for closer to, or even higher than, their asking price. So try to get the most out of your home. I'm sure you'll be glad you made the effort.
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If I purchase a new boat in North Carolin and I ...
By: Grant | 27-09-2008
If I purchase a new boat in North Carolin and I pay the North Carolina sales tax on boats at their rate of 3% and I then register the boat in Georgia for use in Georgia (I am a resident of Georgia), will I have to pay any Georgia sales tax?
Corporate Hierarchy Go Over the bosses Head?
By: coachpauline | 26-09-2008
I was hired at a financial services company 8 months ago. As a commission based sales person my compensation plan including a $25,000 salary was based on selling a product where my 1st yr earnings were projected to be between $100,000 &150,000 depending on my skill. The marketing that I was promised didn't materialize, the Sr. Vp who hired me left a new VP came in and the focus of my division changed to selling a product where the money to be made by a sales rep is alot less, so the new people who have come in have been hired at a higher salary and a higher commission. Everyone else from the old regime has been fired or left. I asked to be brought up to par with the new workers, especially since I am by far the top performer. I kept being put off, told that a newer, even better permanent compensation plan would be put in place as soon as a new Sr Vp arrivedand they dont want to change my comp plan twice. The New Exec Vp Is here-This newer, better comp plan was supposed to happen for the last 2 months-now I've been told it wont be until Jan. At an evaluation I was told I am an outstanding performer, I will be up for a promotion when a management position opens up in my division etc. Meanwhile my sales #'s are always #1 or #2(only ever beaten by my supervisor who has years of experience) while taking time out of my sales day to bring new people up to speed, who are on a better comp plan and at this comp plan I will be lucky to earn $50,000. My boss keeps putting me off until this newer comp plan goes into effect, but I cant afford to be producing results and not earning for another 3 months. SHOULD I GO OVER MY BOSSES HEAD AND EMAIL HIS BOSS W/ MY DILEMMAAND CC MY BOSS OR WRITE MY BOSS AND CC HIS BOSS?My bosses boss has the ultimate decision making power. I feel like I have some leverage right now that I may not have down the road. I am close to closing a huge deal for them that will be the largest in their portfolio. I have never worked in a corporate environment before-was a business owner so don't really know how this stuff works, but I am getting pretty fed up. Also I am going to be sharing my leads with all these new people and at this comp plan my sales will certainly drop. I will not go out and bring in more business from relationships that I have made over the years if I am not paid what I am worth and at that point I will have no leverage.
Hello. Can anyone advise me. I need help getting ...
By: FreeSpirit | 23-09-2008
Hello.
Can anyone advise me. I need help getting clients. I've advertised in magazines for years but it doesn't work.
I'm a Spiritual Counselor and Healer.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Also, I desire to earn extra income part-time for supplementation.
Thank you.
Vending
By: mzeetate | 15-09-2008
How do I get qualified to vend at Morehouse Football Games?
Sales stats
By: mike | 15-09-2008
What are average annual sales of comedy albums over the last three years and what are the highest sales levels reached on three comedy albums during the last three years?
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looking to buy a 2'' 15000
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