10 Low-Cost
Tips to Improve Palos Verdes Homes Appeal
When selling
Palos Verdes homes, the goal is to sell it quickly for the highest price while
investing as little as possible in renovations. With a limited budget and a
little effort, you can greatly increase your home’s appeal by focusing on what
prospective buyers can see on their first visit. Here are some recommendations I’ve gathered
for preparing a house for sale and staging it for showings. Palos Verdes homes
Tip #1:
Refresh the exterior
First
impressions count when it comes to selling Palos Verdes homes. Most buyers
won’t even leave their car if they don’t find the exterior appealing. The best
ways to improve your home’s exterior include:
-Repairing
and/or replacing trims, shutters, gutters, shingles, mailboxes, window screens,
walkways and the driveway.
-Painting
siding, trim and shutters and lamp and mailbox posts.
-Pressure
washing vinyl siding, roofs, walkways and the driveway.
Tip #2:
Spruce up the lawn and landscape
Palos Verdes
homes buyers associate the condition of your lawn and landscaping with the
condition of your home’s interior. By improving the outside, you affect buyers’
impression of the entire property. The best ways to enhance the yard include:
-Mowing and
edging the lawn.
-Seeding,
fertilizing and weeding the lawn.
-Keeping up
with regular lawn maintenance by frequent watering.
-Trimming
and/or removing overgrown trees, shrubs and hedges.
-Weeding and
mulching plant beds.
-Planting
colorful seasonal flowers in existing plant beds.
-Removing
trash, especially along fences and underneath hedges.
-Sweeping
and weeding the street curb along your property.
Tip #3:
Create an inviting entrance
The front
door to Palos Verdes homes should invite buyers to enter. The best ways to
improve your entry include:
-Painting
the front door in a glossy, cheerful color that complements the exterior.
-Cleaning,
polishing and/or replacing the door knocker, locks and handles.
-Repairing
and/or replacing the screen door, the doorbell, porch lights and house numbers.
-Placing a
new welcome mat and a group of seasonal potted plants and flowers by the entry.
Tip #4:
Reduce clutter and furniture
A buyer
cannot envision living in any of the Palos Verdes homes for sale without seeing
it. A home filled with clutter or even too much furniture distracts buyers from
seeing how they can utilize the space your home offers. If you have limited
storage space, you may want to consider renting a temporary storage unit to
place items you wish to keep. The best ways to declutter your home include:
-Holding a
garage sale to prepare for your move, getting rid of unnecessary items.
-Removing
clutter such as books, magazines, toys, tools, supplies and unused items from
counter tops, open shelves, storage closets, the garage and basements.
-Storing
out-of-season clothing and shoes out of sight to make bedroom closets seem
roomier.
-Removing
any visibly damaged furniture.
-Organizing
bookshelves, closets, cabinets and pantries. Buyers will inspect everything.
-Putting
away your personal photographs, unless they showcase the home. Let buyers see
themselves in your home.
-De-personalize
rooms as much as you can.
Tip #5:
Clean, clean, clean
The
cleanliness of Palos Verdes homes for sale also influences a buyer’s perception
of its condition. The appearance of the kitchen and bathrooms will play a
considerable role in a buyer’s decision process, so pay particular attention to
these areas. The best ways to improve these areas include:
-Cleaning
windows, fixtures, hardware, ceiling fans, vent covers and appliances.
-Cleaning
carpets, area rugs and draperies.
-Cleaning
inside the refrigerator, the stove and all cabinets.
-Removing
stains from carpets, floors, counters, sinks, baths, tile, walls and grout.
-Eliminating
house odors, especially if you have pets.
-Considering
air fresheners or potpourri.
Tip #6: Make
minor repairs
The small
stuff does count, especially with first-time home buyers or with experienced
sophisticated buyers who just don’t have time to do the small stuff when buying
one of the Palos Verdes homes that are for sale. Without dismissing the
importance of repairing major items such as a leaky roof or plumbing, you do
not need to spend money on replacing these items. Instead, focus on the minor
repairs that will make your home visually appealing. The best ways to improve
your home include:
-Repairing
ceilings and wall cracks.
-Repairing
faucets, banisters, handrails, cabinets, drawers, doors, floors and tile.
-Caulking
and grouting tubs, showers, sinks and tile.
-Adding
fresh paint to ceilings, walls, trim, doors and cabinets.
-Tightening
door handles, drawer pulls, light switches and electrical plates.
-Lubricating
door hinges and locks.
Tip #7:
Showcase the kitchen
The heart of
any home is the kitchen; the same is true for Palos Verdes homes. If you are
going to spend any money on renovations, this is the one area where you will
see the greatest return. Even with a modest budget, focusing on a few key areas
can make a great difference in getting the asking price for your property. The
best ways to showcase the kitchen include:
-Replacing
cabinet doors and hardware.
-Installing
under-cabinet lighting.
-Replacing
light fixtures.
-Replacing
outdated shelving with pantry and cabinet organizers to maximize space.
-Baking
cookies or cupcakes for a showing, to create a homey smell.
Tip #8:
Stage furniture
Furniture
placement can enhance the space of Palos Verdes homes while giving buyers an
idea of how to best utilize the space with their own belongings. Take some time
to rethink how different areas in your house could be used. Some ideas to think
about include:
-Moving
couches and chairs away from walls in your sitting and family rooms to create
cozy conversational groups.
-Creating a
reading corner in the master bedroom.
-Clearing an
empty room to set up a reading space.
-Turning an
awkward space into a home office.
-Setting the
dining room table with your best china.
-Set wine
glasses in front of the fireplace or next to a Jacuzzi tub.
Tip #9:
Light up the house
Create a
sense of openness and cheerfulness in your home through its lighting. To
improve the lighting try:
-Opening
shades and drapes to let the sunshine warm and brighten rooms.
-Installing
brighter light bulbs in rooms that tend to be dark.
-Adding
additional lamps for ambient lighting.
-Turning on
all the lights for a showing.
Tip #10: Add
fresh touches
You can
easily add color and style to Palos Verdes homes by adding fresh touches
throughout. Some ideas to consider include:
-Placing
fresh floral arrangements in the entry and master bedroom.
-Placing
bowls of bright-colored fruit in the family room and the kitchen.
-Filling an
empty corner with a potted leafy plant.
-Setting new
hand soap in the bathrooms.
-Displaying
fresh towels near sinks.
Feel welcome
to use the property search tool below to find Palos
Verdes homes for sale AND find those that have sold to compare and contrast
with those homes currently on the market.
ITS A GREAT TIME TO SELL YOUR HOME!
If You or Someone you know is interested in selling their home, I can help! Please call or email me and we will find out what your home is worth!
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