Many homeowners list their homes for sale “as is.” While this is fine if you’re expecting to sell your Dallas area home to someone who loves fixer-uppers, you could get a much better price by putting in a little elbow grease. If you would like to get more for your home and are planning to list it this spring, now’s the time to get started sprucing it all up. Our real estate agents suggest you do the following before listing your DFW home for sale!
Deep clean and remove the clutter. Getting rid of the clutter first will make cleaning so much easier. Excess clutter makes a home seem confusing and even unclean in some cases. We all tend to “collect” things over the years, whether purposely or not. Go through rooms, closets, storage areas, cabinets, drawers and take out anything you don’t use or need. Whether you donate to local shelters or charities, or place ads on Craigslist or in the newspaper to give it away, you will feel the stress release when it’s gone!
As far as cleaning goes, you will need to do a bit more thorough job than what is usually done on a weekly basis. Clean the windows (ugh, we know) inside and out, scrub the bathrooms and kitchen until they shine, shampoo the carpets, and organize drawers and cabinets along with closets. When everything is clean, clear of clutter and organized, it’s easier for potential buyers to see themselves living in your home.
Make minor repairs. While you can’t take care of any major problem without a professional, there are lots of small repairs you can probably take care of yourself. Replace any damaged or missing window screens, replace the old cracked caulk around sinks, showers, or bathtubs, repair a toilet that constantly runs or a leaking faucet. Be sure to check out all of the lights inside and out and replace any bulbs that are burned out. Painting is another task you can take care of yourself, whether the kitchen needs painting or the trim work around the front porch. The little things can make a huge difference in how people see your home.
Amp up the curb appeal. What’s the first thing someone sees when coming to your home? Its exterior and your landscape. Often the first impression is the only one that matters, so make sure it’s a good one. Trim the hedges and trees, mow the lawn, edge around sidewalks and the driveway, renew the old faded and worn-out mulch in flower beds and gardens.
Yes, it will take some time and effort to do these things but the reward is well worth it! Get your entire family involved and it won’t seem like such a chore.
If you’re looking to sell your home quickly and for the best price, count on the Dallas real estate pros at Team Nelson to get the job done!