Whether you’re considering selling your home, or have already made the decision, potential buyers will be examining it with critical eyes as soon as the For Sale sign goes up. In today’s competitive market, you need to give your house every possible advantage to help it stand out in a good way. Assuming that no major repairs are necessary, there are some projects that can improve curb appeal and create an updated, more inviting look to the interior. Getting more visual bang for your buck can help your house sell faster – and perhaps even above list price, although, of course, we can’t guarantee that!
Also keep in mind that the longer a house stays on the market, the more control potential buyers will have over you regarding negotiations – which, of course, is likely to drive the price downward. Improve your chance for a quick sale and more money on closing day with the following nine home improvement and maintenance projects!
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Clean the Roof
Even a roof in good condition can look off-putting if it’s streaked with algae stains. In addition to being unattractive, potential buyers may see it as a sign that the homeowner (you) hasn’t kept up with basic maintenance – and start wondering what else might have been neglected!
As Roof Revivers points out, roof algae is not harmful or dangerous in itself, but after a period of time, the algae can cause the protective UV granules that cover roofing shingles to begin to come off, eventually drying them out. In addition, fungus can combine with algae already present on your roof and form into lichen. This lichen feeds off both the algae and the shingle filler. Unlike algae, lichen can develop roots, which makes it harder to remove than algae alone.
Since you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and the roof is very conspicuous, hire a professional roof cleaning service to ensure the job is done using the right equipment and cleaning products. This will not only produce the best result, but will protect your roof from damage that improper cleaning products and techniques can cause.
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Pressure Wash the Walkways, Driveways, etc.
Walkways, driveways, patios and decks become dirty over time. Built-up grime, mildew and bird droppings create a grungy appearance that detracts from the beauty and functionality of your outdoor spaces – and can pose a health hazard, as well. You may not notice it anymore, but potential buyers will!
As our blog post – “Why You (or a Pro) Should Pressure Wash Your House” – notes, “Pressure washing is one of those jobs that inexperienced, yet physically sturdy people often think they can take on themselves and save money. Of course, only you can judge your own capability to handle the equipment. Yet just because you may be able to wield the wand with ease, keep in mind that it can be hazardous if you aren’t familiar with how to work a pressure washer.”
If you take the DIY route, clear the work area of loose objects, read and follow all safety instructions on the equipment, and wear work goggles and closed-toe shoes. However, if you are not experienced, or able to comfortably and safely use the equipment, hire a professional pressure washing service to make your outdoor areas clean and bright!
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Trim Trees and Plants
The first thing that visitors will notice is your home’s exterior. How do your trees, shrubs and lawn look? Before putting your house on the market, make sure that all trees and plants are trimmed, and that there is no debris in the lawn area. Add about two inches of bark mulch around trees and shrubs – as well as along flower beds – to freshen up your landscape’s appearance even more!
Plus, a small investment in colorful containers – with colorful container plants in them – placed on either side of the front door or along porch steps – as well as the driveway or garage door – will pay off as increased curb appeal.
Basically, your property should be neat, clean and inviting, giving prospective buyers the impression that not much yard work will be required – rather than an unruly wilderness they’ll have to tame themselves.
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Paint the Front Door
Change the character of your house by giving your front door a fresh coat of paint. Year after year, front doors go neglected, looking worn out and tired. An aesthetically pleasing front door will have potential home buyers anticipating what’s behind it!
Better Homes and Gardens recommends choosing a bright color that will set off your home’s primary paint color and draw attention to the entrance. However, be sure the door color complements – not clashes – with it. Also, check your choice with your community’s HOA, if applicable, for approval before painting.
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Remove Outdated or Dingy Wallpaper
Wallpaper adds unique design and color to the walls of your home, but is it something that appeals to every homeowner? Well, no. Today’s homeowners want their homes to be clean and welcoming, and outdated wallpaper can make your home look aged, dirty and cluttered.
There are trends in wallpaper, just as there are in paint colors. The problem is, wallpaper that’s seen its day can’t be painted over. Also, some patterns are too specific – such as lighthouses for a boy’s bedroom – to succesfully carry over to how a new owner will use the room. Not all buyers will share the same liking to your choice of wallpaper, and they may pass up yours. Moreover, removing dingy or outdated wallpaper will allow your home to look more neutral and welcoming – which will boost its marketability!
While there are those who claim that wallpaper removal is a DIY job, it really isn’t for most people. Our blog post – “Why You Should Hire a Pro to Remove Wallpaper” – covers the steps and labor involved in removing wallpaper without damaging the drywall underneath. We recommend reading the post in its entirety, then decide.
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Remove Popcorn Texturing From Ceilings
Popular in residential construction from the 1960s through ‘70s, “popcorn ceilings” are indisputably the most loathed interior feature among contemporary homebuyers. If you’ve lived in your home-sweet-home for many years and don’t know why it’s a problem, you probably don’t watch homebuying shows on cable TV. Yes, the situations in these programs are dramatized, but the distaste expressed by prospective buyers who look up and see popcorn textured ceilings in the house they’re touring is real. They’re a proven deal-breaker, and if you want your house to sell instead of sit on the market waiting for that special person who doesn’t mind, replace them with a smooth surface.
Our blog post – “Should You Replace Your Home’s Popcorn Ceilings With a Smooth Surface?” – covers the negative qualities of popcorn texturing in detail. In addition to being hard to clean and out of style, texturing applied throughout most of its era contains asbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral. It was the material of choice for popcorn ceilings until the substance was banned as a health hazard in 1978. Even so, popcorn ceilings installed as late as the mid-’80s could contain asbestos, and, when disturbed, disperse microscopic fibrils known to cause lung-scarring illnesses and even lung cancer if inhaled. A popcorn ceiling that contains asbestos doesn’t pose a hazard as long as the ceiling isn’t disturbed. However, many people don’t want such a dangerous substance in their home, and aren’t willing to take the risk.
To determine if your popcorn ceiling has asbestos, call an EPA-certified remediation company to take a sample. Should the report come back positive, do not attempt to remove it yourself. This is not a DIY project. Risking your life – and the lives of your family members – isn’t worth saving the expense of professional remediation. Should the report come back negative, DIY removal is possible – although it may not be practical when dealing with popcorn removal for several rooms. And remember – once the popcorn texture is removed, the ceilings will need to be sanded, followed by application of new texture, then primed and painted.
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Remove Heavy Curtains
For some people, a home isn’t perfect without certain finishing touches like window treatments. However, the heavy, elaborate curtains considered the height of fashion from the ‘60s through the ‘80s are now out of style, and call up a “grandma’s house” vibe. We know that prospective buyers should overlook outdated curtains and focus instead on your home’s structural features, but people tend to be easily distracted by what they see in front of them.
Removing these visual distractions has many advantages. Heavy curtains block natural light from entering your home, making rooms look gloomy. Natural light can do wonders for your home when you are trying to sell, as it creates a welcoming, warm and bright environment that sets the mood immediately!
Moreover, if you have a small space, heavy curtains can overwhelm the area. Removing them will make your space look bigger and the focus will be more on your rooms. Also, without curtains, your room will create a blank canvas that will allow your prospects to imagine themselves living in that space!
Of course, you still need privacy while your house is on the market. In her article for The Spruce, interior design expert Coral Nafie recommends replacing curtains with “… simple white mini-blinds or wood blinds cut-to-measure at a home center. This is a fairly simple fix that can refresh your rooms in just one weekend.” Doing so also will give the homebuyer the advantage of not having to rush out to buy blinds right after moving in – allowing them time to choose their own treatments at their leisure.
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Repaint in Neutral Colors
Repainting is one of the most relatively inexpensive and powerful ways to market your home better and add value to it. When prospective buyers visit your home, they should be able to picture themselves in the house – living in it and decorating it according to their own taste. Paint colors that are too specific to your preference could be off-putting to others. Again, don’t assume that house hunters will be able to overlook your bold or unconventional color choices when making their decision. True, they can repaint. But put yourself in the place of someone just moving in, and the stressful work that alone takes! Having to paint one or more rooms may be more than they’re willing to do. Take it off their plate, and repaint in neutral colors. If the new owners want to make their own color statement, they can do so over time.
Another benefit is that painting interior walls in neutral colors will make your rooms seem larger – always a big plus when selling! Using the same color on all walls in the main living area (living room, dining room and family room, if visible from the others) will create an even greater illusion of spaciousness.
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Declutter
If you don’t want your potential home buyers to make an exit seconds after they step inside, say yes to decluttering! This is a sensitive issue – especially if you’ve been ensconced for several years and have accumulated furniture, home décor accessories, electronics and almost countless other belongings that you no longer use. But now is the ideal time to sort through your stuff and discard what’s unnecessary, for two important reasons.
First, uncluttered rooms are more aesthetically appealing to potential buyers, and give the appearance of spaciousness. People confronted by the sight of items occupying every surface and corner – or closets crammed beyond capacity – will assume your house lacks enough space to store their belongings – and continue their search elsewhere.
Second, you are planning to move to another house, right? Lighten the amount you’ll need to pack for the moving truck – which also could result in a lower estimate from the moving company, saving you money! To divest yourself of your old items that are in good condition, hold a garage sale or donate them to charity. Safely discard those that are broken, worn-out or obsolete.
Should You DIY or Call a Professional?
No matter how many –or how few – of our nine projects you need to tackle to give your house the best advantage for a quick sale at (or perhaps above) your asking price, the big question is whether you should do it yourself, or call a professional. As you learned, there are certain jobs for which we strongly recommend hiring a pro – based upon such factors as the experience, expertise and labor involved; time and labor involved; and health and safety considerations.
Others are at your own discretion, based upon your own experience with such projects and physical ability. For example, you may feel confident painting your front door, but someone else could opt to hire a painter. Yet however you decide to get your house in shape, making sure it puts its best foot forward, so to speak, can make the difference between it being a hot property or stale listing that stays on the market too long.
Our professionals at The Paint Manager have the experience and skill to perform a wide range of home improvement and home maintenance tasks. We have served Central Florida since 2000 with quality residential and commercial painting services. Visit our website to learn about the many other services we provide – including pressure washing, roof cleaning, popcorn ceiling removal, and stump removal. Become a member of The Paint Manager to receive a 15% year-‘round member’s discount. Contact us to learn more about our services and membership discount offer. We look forward to meeting you!