A Few Inexpensive Updates Will Attract Potential Buyers

Sell This House!!

Not too long ago, it seemed that any house on the market had buyers lining up to pay top dollar for it. Sellers clearly had the upper hand, often getting multiple bids for a home offered in "as is" condition. No longer. Home sales have softened in many areas, driving up the number of properties on the market. That means house hunters can be choosier about what they buy. If you're a seller, you don't have to spend thousands on a kitchen makeover to attract picky buyers. Some easy updates and a reasonable asking price can help your home stand out.

Understand The Buyer:

First, put yourself in a buyer's shoes and pretend you're in the market for a house. Go to open houses and research properties for sale. Think back to the excitement you felt when you walked into your home for the first time. Whatever features attracted you - the fireplace, the bountiful closet space - will likely appeal to new house hunters too.

The most successful sellers also know that for a buyer, purchasing a home is an emotional journey. "A home is where you live and raise your family and feel safe enough to go to sleep," explains Starr Osborne, founder of the Philadelphia staging firm Tailored Transitions. "It's your biggest asset, so you want it to shine." Osborne is among a growing number of "house stagers" who accessorize and prep homes to sell, often for higher prices. She and other experts agree that decluttering and painting in neutral tones are among the simplest, least expensive ways to refresh your home. But there's much more you can do. Try these ideas.

Get A Checkup:

Arrange a presale home inspection (about $200) so you'll know what areas need attention, whether it's replacing a hot-water heater or repairing loose boards on the deck. That way, you can fix things on your schedule, and you'll be less likely to have any surprises at the time of the buyer's walk-through.

Tend To The Garden:

Make your yard an inviting place. Buy plants suitable for your climate, then weed and mulch, says Osborne. "Buyers will come in predisposed to like the interior."

Buff The Exterior:

Paint a faded front door a bright color. Consider installing shutters, which cost as little as $40 a pair, on a plain facade. Evoke a scene: Hide the lawn mower and put up a hammock. Help potential buyers dream of having friends over for a cookout.

Stash Personal Items:

You want potential buyers to imagine themselves in your house. Remove family photos from the walls and hide your child's toys from the living room and bathtub.

Highlight Unique Features:

Small details can be a big draw for buyers. Add flowers on the mantel, polish the hardwood floor in the foyer and show off the trim around the windows with a bright, contrasting paint.

Make It Stylish:

Younger buyers prefer home furnishings that look current. If the new design catalogs feature items in brown and blue ice, treat your couch to a few throw pillows in those colors.

Lighten Up:

Use full-spectrum lightbulbs to replicate daylight inside (about $1.20 per bulb, and add lighting. If your curtains block the sun, put up sheers.

Clear The Kitchen:

Empty cabinets and counters of all but the bare essentials. Buyers will open your cabinets, so remove the mishmash of unmatched coffee mugs. Repaint cabinets, and replace hardware for as little as $3 per knob or handle.

Clean Everything:

Don't forget baseboards, ceiling fans, tile grout and windows. A clean look conveys that a house is cared for, which for buyers means quality and hopefully, a home.