Getting a home ready for a sale involves some serious work. If you want your home listing to stand out and have asked yourself “how do I sell my house fast?” then you will certainly benefit from a few tried-and-tested tips for selling your house.
Regardless of the average house price in Orange County, you’re sure to want to aim for top dollar for your home. A good first tip I can give you is to make sure that your home shows at its best when potential buyers come looking.
As a homeowner, you’re likely aware of what needs work in your home. Focus on making improvements in those areas, as they will likely be highlighted once your home goes on the Orange County real estate market. Don’t put off repairs (even the minor ones), because they can do wonders towards boosting your home’s appeal.
If you’ve kept yourself ahead of major repairs, look into completing these smaller tasks to get the best value for your home.
Wiring
Upgrading your home’s electrical wiring doesn’t have much of a wow factor, but it’ll still be worth the expense, especially if you have a savvy buyer who’s likely to look beyond your home’s cosmetic appeal.
Make sure that your home’s wiring is up to the current building codes. Have faulty wiring, loose connections, and damaged outlets fixed to avoid passing issues on to the new owner.
If you haven’t had your system checked in some time, get this out of the way before the buyer’s inspection and save yourself from the high cost of rush repairs.
Are you handy with tools and, perhaps, have a free weekend? Then arm yourself with a screwdriver and replace cracked or aged wall plates with new. It’s an easy way to immediately improve the look of your home.
Water Damage or Issues
Visible signs of water damage don’t just look ugly, they may also indicate underlying problems that could spell expensive repairs, headaches, and inconvenience.
Check for leaks and clogs and move up your scheduled maintenance for your water heater. Are your faucets operating properly? Do they need to be replaced? What about your showerheads and drains, are there any issues there that need to be addressed?
Get water-stained drywall replaced and inspect high-moisture areas for mold, which is another issue that can drive buyers away.
Scuffed or Outdated Flooring
Add scarred kitchen tiles and threadbare laminate flooring to your running list of improvement projects, since worn and damaged floors are signs of an aging home.
Rip out old carpet, replace chipped porcelain tile and refinish dented or scuffed hardwood floors. New flooring updates your home’s interiors with minimal effort. There’s the added advantage of fairly high returns for this improvement—from over 90% up to 100% depending on the type of flooring.
Damaged Doors and Windows
Homeowners tend to forget the condition of their windows and doors during daily use. Issues tend to be relegated to the back burner until hinges start creaking and sliding windows and doors start jumping off their tracks or get stuck permanently.
Ensure that your doors windows open and close smoothly. Replace old insulation and update handles and other hardware as needed. Inspect your for dents, cracks, scratches, and peeling paint. Fix and replace as needed. Repairs are typically easy and affordable, but if window replacement is really called for, be sure to disclose this fact to the buyer as this could be an expensive issue that needs to be disclosed upfront.
Front doors and windows are especially important because they contribute to the home’s curb appeal. If their paint has seen better days, add a fresh coat. You’ll enjoy a higher resale value with such a straightforward job.
Kitchen Update
A kitchen overhaul isn’t necessary to make your kitchen more appealing for a listing. It’s best to stick to minor projects like changing your hardware (cabinet handles, faucets) and re-facing or repainting cabinets to update your kitchen’s look. Install stone countertops. Replace old appliances with newer, more energy-efficient models. Tighten loose hinges.
You’ll be surprised at how much you can transform your kitchen while working within a modest budget.
Refresh Your Bathroom
A full bathroom renovation is likewise money better spent elsewhere. Focus on low-cost jobs like a re-grout to give your bathroom tiles a new lease on life.
Upgrade bathroom faucets and showerheads with water-conserving options. If you can spare the budget, install low-flow toilets to reduce both water consumption and monthly water bills. It’s an added feature that’s sure to earn you brownie points.
Following a few home staging tips can also help make your home look more appealing and can contribute significantly to your home’s resale value.
Get in touch with us at the Cordova Real Estate Group. We’re one of the leading real estate experts in Orange County today. Feel free to call us at 949.207.4040 or send an email to mc(at)southorangecountyliving(dotted)com.