Top Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale

For over 30 years, Sun Bear Realty in Incline Village on Lake Tahoe’s North Shore has been sharing their top tips to prepare a home for sale with their clients throughout the West. And prior to listing a home, there are things you can do to increase the perceived value – without a lot of time or money.

http://www.sunbearealty.comHere’s our top tips for improving the value of your home prior to placing it on the market.  And for more advice, our real estate team is always here to help you get the highest price on your investment that the market will bear.

Give us a call at any time at (775) 831-9000  or contact us through our website.

Stage It, Simple

Much like one may do prior to the in-laws coming to visit, clear it out. Time to toss the piles of papers, magazines, stashes of shoes and toys and make room for “space.”  And if you need more space for those extra bodies, think about rearranging the furniture so there’s room for everyone to stretch out.

Here’s a great list of “How to Stage a Home for Sale,” as posted on USNews.

Paint

If you can afford someone to paint a room or two, do it. If you like to paint and have the time, sure. Go for it. Just be sure it looks like a pro had his or hands in the project.

If the kids are no longer in the house, perhaps it’s time to cover up the bright colors that they once choose.  Neutrals are always recommended, and trends also accept muted greens: think Sage or a light blue gray option.

Windows

If you don’t like the look of your old windows and the paint around them, a potential buyer won’t either. According to those who know best, replacing old wooden windows with the new ergonomically friendly vinal options can recoup up to 70% of your investment. They can also be beneficial if you choose to stay and not sell as the new options dramatically cut back on drafts and your utility bill.

Bathrooms

No need to do a significant renovation here.  There are some easy options to give your home a face-lift with not  a lot of time or money.  Think simple: A new tile floor does wonders and if you can afford to put in new cabinets, visit the likes of Home Depot or Lowes for affordable ideas; they will even come install them for you.

Kitchen

Mirroring our thoughts about the bathroom, there are a few things you can do in the kitchen to help increase the perceived value of the most popular room in the house.  Start with the cabinets.  If they can be painted, that’s the most affordable way to go. If you have a little more cash, simple Shaker-style cabinets are always the most popular and available at those big box stores.  Watch for sales during the holidays!

 Landscaping

Continuing the ‘keep it simple’ theory, cleaning up your yard and adding a few new colorful plants is always a plus.  Roses are a slam-dunk when it comes to favorites. “Curb Appeal” can make or break someone’s decision to even go IN to your home. Get rid of any dead, dying or over-grown plants – especially around the doors and windows to your house.  A final tip: make your home ‘welcoming.”  Tune into the holidays and place some colorful décor at the entrance of your home.  Think: pumpkins on the door step, holiday wreath on the door, you get the idea.

Ask for Advice

Before you dive in, connect with a professional real estate advisor for their opinion.  Blane and his real estate office team in Lake Tahoe are more than happy to take the time to assess your property, inside and out, and provide the advice that you have earned and deserve.