Elbow grease goes a long way!
We all have those little (or big) projects around the house that we’ve been putting off: a missing outlet cover, a bent window screen, a broken door, or a foundation that has cracks that needs residential foundation repair. We may have lived with them for so long that we don’t even notice them or maybe we just haven’t had the time or energy to fix it. Life happens, and things can fall by the wayside in the midst of the craziness. However, if you’re looking to sell your house, those “little” projects can become major turn-offs for potential buyers. The great news is that nothing pays off better than a little elbow grease! Here is a handy checklist that you should review before you put your house on the market. This home improvement list is pretty detailed, but the most attractive houses usually reflect some good, quality TLC to these areas. And as always, if you’re unsure where to start, give the GoodFit Homes team a call. Marty can stop by your house and help you figure out the best areas to begin.
EXTERIOR
Paint. The condition of your exterior home painting is most important when it comes to buyer appeal. Touch up trim paint on doors, window frames, fascia, etc. Replace missing shutters, have a new rain gutter installation, and remove any debris. Have a residential roofer inspect the roof for necessary repairs or roofing replacement on any visible broken shingles or tiles. Wash all windows inside and outside.
Front Entry. Give special care to this area. This is where buyers get their first opportunity to make a close inspection. All woodwork should be freshly and neatly painted, including the door if necessary. Replace a badly worn or broken doorbell button. Polish the door brass. Repaint or replace an unsightly mailbox. Put out a new or clean door mat. Do a thorough weeding and pruning job on any flower beds near the entry. A low-cost investment in seasonal flowers or ground cover will add a personal touch.
Yard. If your lawn shows no signs of life, a little fertilizer and some water will do wonders for its color. Mow, edge and water the lawn frequently until the home is sold. Overgrown tree branches and shrubbery should be cut back by tree care professionals to show as much of the exterior as possible.
Fence and Patio. Fences and patios should be mended and painted. If the street sweeper does not come every week, make sure the area in front of your curb and driveway are clear of debris, contact https://didsburydriveways.co.uk for any repair that you might need to do. Wash it down with the hose. A nice spread of outdoor furniture on a patio looks very appealing, if you have it available.
Driveway. Clean up grease or oil spots. For excessive stains, there are easy-to-use cleaning agents at your home repair store; and cracks in the driveway and sidewalks should be repaired by an asphalt contractor. See that the garage door opens freely and that the automatic door opener is in good working order, if not contact an expert garage door repair company in san antonio to fix it. If possible, don’t park cars in front of the house or in the driveway, and try to have very few parked on the street near the house.
Swimming Pool. Adjust chemicals until the pool sparkles. Hose dust and cobwebs from filtration equipment. Store chemicals and tools neatly.
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL FEATURES
Lights. Every light socket in and around the house should have good bulb of adequate wattage. Don’t overlook those lights outside, in the garage, utility room, halls closets, or over the kitchen sink, and in the oven and exhaust hood.
Switches and Fixtures. Repair or replace wall switches, outlets, circuit breakers and light fixtures that don’t work. Replace any broken switch plates. If you are not fully competent to handle these repairs, please call in a residential electrician or a commercial electrical contractor in order to keep you and your family safe.
Appliances. Any appliances that will be sold with the home should be in good working condition. Replace fixtures that are irreparable or just plain unsightly. New fixtures and appliances don’t have to be top-of-the-line, but they should be decent quality and neutral in style. Having a new air conditioning and heating system installation for the summer and winter months and getting a furnace repair, a heating repair, and an air conditioning repair service with the help of professional residential air conditioning services will definitely add value to your home. If your air conditioning unit does not work and you want to repair it, make sure to contact an ac contractor before selling the house. It’d also be a good idea to contact your home warranty company to see if any of the appliances are covered by their policy, Visit https://homewarranty.firstam.com/articles/marketing-materials to get more details.
Plumbing. Badly chipped or irreversibly stained sinks and tubs should be re-enameled, patched or replaced. Leaky or excessively noisy toilets should be fixed, as well as any dripping faucets. Call a plumbing services company to have all of your plumbing issues fixed.
Sprinkler Systems. These should be working properly with no defect, but if they need a repair then make sure to call professional commercial plumbing services.
INTERIOR
Overall Cleanliness. Clean your home from top to bottom. Have carpeting and draperies cleaned by hiring Carpet to Go. Carpeting should be vacuumed throughout the house the day your home is being shown. If you have a fireplace, make sure all of the tile is in good condition, the screen is in good shape, and the hearth is clean. Lubricate squeaking doors, windows, and cabinets.
A few colorful plants will help liven and add color to the interior. Another important thing to note is pest infestation. No matter how minor you think it is, if there are signs of pests around the house, call a pest control company immediately.
Spaciousness. One of the best and least expensive ways to improve the appeal of your home is to open up as much space as possible. Openness stimulates positive feelings in buyers. Overstuffed rooms or closets give the impression of being smaller than they really are. You can’t change the size of what you have, so try to present it in a pleasing way.
Paint and Doors. Repair any cracks or holes in walls and touch up paint. Doors should be cleaned and touched-up as well. All torn screens should be repaired or replaced. Avoid repainting the entire house unless your current colors are very loud or offbeat. If you are confused which colors to use for your interior painting, white or light pastels are the easiest for new homeowners to work with and they make your rooms look larger.
Closets and Storage Areas. One of the most frequently voiced requirements of buyers is for closet and storage space. Open up your storage areas by getting rid of items you aren’t using. Store out-of-season clothes so closets don’t look cluttered.
Kitchen. Most buyers will inspect the kitchen carefully, so extra time invested here is well spent. Keep the counters clean and clear of appliances. All appliances should be clean and neatly organized. An open appearance with sunlight and green plants here and there will make the room a focal point. Never leave dirty dishes in the sink. Clean and wax the kitchen floor. If the floor looks old and dull, consider replacing the flooring with the help of a professional Cork Flooring Retailer ( you can check Miracote website here to see a few options), getting Residential Flooring done by professionals is always best. Clean fans and vent hoods. Buyers frequently check this area as a clue to general housekeeping. Clean the stove inside and out.
Bathrooms. All bathroom appliances should be thoroughly cleaned. Remove stains from sinks, toilets, and bathtubs. Replace old caulking around bathtub and sinks. Repair or replace leaky faucets. Unclog and sanitize drains to remove odors. Clean all mirrors. Keep all toilet seat lids closed. Fresh towels should be in the bathrooms at all times. Other potential fixes might be soap residue in a shower, a moldy shower curtain, accumulated dirt in the track of a sliding shower door, soiled or missing grout, and dirty or battered bathmats.
Garage. Buyers will pay a premium for a garage if they can visualize it being of value to them, but it’s hard to sell the virtues of a garage when it is filled to overflowing. If your garage has become a two-car attic, have a garage sale to dispose of any unwanted items. Family heirlooms, which you will take with you, should be boxed and stored in the garage until you move. Degreasers are available at your local home repair store to remove stains from the garage floor. Remove any cobwebs. If you need a garage door repair or garage door replacement, contact a professional right away. If the basement or attic is a functioning part of the house, make sure the area is clean and in good repair.
Odor. Nothing can turn off a buyer like the smell of moldy towels or rotten food. Put deodorizers in each room and closet. Take all trash and garbage out of the house, particularly any food-related discards from the kitchen. And make sure no potatoes or onions are going bad under the sink or in the pantry. After running garbage through a disposal unit, grind up part of a lemon to add a fresh smell. If you have pets, move the cat’s litter box out of the house or into the garage and clean up after the dog before any showings. Wash any pet beds,blankets and toys to remove old smells.
