When it comes time to sell your house, you want to get top dollar. With some simple, inexpensive updates, you can significantly improve how people perceive your home’s value.
- Wash Siding
If your exterior paint is in good condition, washing the exterior can almost make it seem like you’ve just repainted your house. You can rent a commercial power washer to make the job quick and easy; but be careful, you can inadvertently blow a hole in the side of your house if you’re not careful. - Paint Inside and Out
If your paint is chipped or wearing out, go directly to the paint store (or in my case, call professional painters). A new coat of paint revitalizes a property, making it clean and bright. - Update Landscaping
While I love bright, pretty flowers, they are hard to maintain and rarely drought-resistant. I recommend low-maintenance, native plants that can stand up to our brutal summers and chilly winters. - Replace Kitchen Cabinet Doors
If your cabinets are in fine shape but outdated, consider replacing their doors. Old oak cabinets will last forever, but you may not want the style of those cabinets to remind potential buyers that your house was built 50 years ago. With updated glass-paneled doors, for example, they’ll just see your beautiful kitchen. - Add a Hot Water Dispenser
You can install an after-market hot water dispensers next to your kitchen faucet for instant tea, hot cocoa, or a head start when you put water on the stove to boil. This is an inexpensive luxury feature you can pick up at a hardware store for less than $300. Just don’t do what I did, and sweep your hands under that scalding water. It’s just shy of boiling hot. - Replace Door Handles
Choosing new door handles can add a little pizzazz as you enter each room. Just be sure not to put stainless steel levers in a Victorian-style home or old-fashioned class knobs in a contemporary home. - Showcase a Unique Fixture or Piece of Furniture
Before you go buy a new piece of furniture, remember: it’s best if you remove a third of your belongings before you put your house on the market. Your house will seem roomier when it’s not cluttered. Now, if you have a piece of furniture or an interesting fixture that will make your property memorable (in a good way), go ahead and bring it in.
I have a table that belonged to my mother. It has a big oval marble top, and while it is a little more ornate than my other furnishings, I absolutely love it and it sets off the room perfectly. If you are a crafty do-it-yourselfer, you might be able to find a gem at a garage sale or thrift shop. Sometimes old pieces just need a little refinishing to become stunning works of art. If it were me, I’d head down to the Furniture Design Center in Ukiah. I’m not really the crafty type. - New Window Treatments
Replacing worn curtains or broken shades can really update the look of a house and give the impression that it’s newer than it is. - Build a Window Seat
Assuming you have space and the right location, a window seat can be an attractive addition, providing a charming little spot to read or enjoy a cup of coffee. - Add Storage
I don’t think you can ever have too much storage. Adding shelving and plastic storage bins in a garage or basement pulls unnecessary items out of closets, making the house seem spacious. You can also add an inexpensive shed, so people know they’ll have a place to store things when they move in.
If you have questions about real estate or property management, please contact me at rselzer@selzerrealty.com or visit www.realtyworldselzer.com. If I use your suggestion in a column, I’ll send you a $5.00 gift card to Schat’s Bakery. If you’d like to read previous articles, visit my blog at www.richardselzer.com. Dick Selzer is a real estate broker who has been in the business in Ukiah for more than 40 years.