The spring real estate market has begun in St. Charles County and it's the time of year that many of us begin to think about selling our home. If you’re an avid watcher of home improvement shows, the thought of preparing your home for the market may seem like a daunting task that you dread taking on. Many of those programs feature huge lists of updates that take a small army of professionals to complete.
In reality, most of us can make updates that today’s homebuyers are searching for in just a weekend with minimal assistance from contractors. The following is a list of quick updates that make a big impact when selling your home:
Start from the curb and work your way in. Stand in the street and take a good look at your home. Is the mulch fresh? Landscaping bright and crisp? Mailbox in good repair with easy to read numbers? Look closely at the front door. Does it need a fresh coat of paint? You don’t want buyers to have a negative impression before they even enter your home.
Take a photo of the main rooms of your home (great room, kitchen, master bedroom and bath). Do the rooms look cluttered or do they look open, airy and bright? It may be time to remove unnecessary items and de-personalize a bit.
For color, neutral is best. If walls are in need of freshening up, light grays and whites are the best color choices. You want buyers to be able to picture their furnishings in your home. If your trim needs painting, white is best there as well. Utilize color and add personality to your home with toss pillows and accessories.
Let the light shine – open the blinds and let the natural light flow in. When that isn’t enough, updating your light fixtures is a quick and inexpensive way to make your home feel updated to potential buyers.
In just a weekend, you can have your home ready for the market and be well on your way to tackling your life’s next adventure in your new home.