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Selling your home is a lot of work. Throw in kids, a busy schedule, and a low budget, and you may be tempted to just throw your house on the market and call it a day. But preparing your home for sale is essential if you want to grab the attention of buyers for a quick and profitable sale. Don’t let a busy schedule or a small budget get in your way! Here are the most cost-effective ways to make your home shine.
Stage Your Home
According to Professional Staging, buyers are willing to spend between one and five percent more on homes that are staged. Staging helps buyers picture the property as their future home.
Fortunately, most decluttering and cleaning involved in home staging will cost you next to nothing. Get your family together and go through your possessions, packing up personal items and selling things you no longer want. Hold a garage sale or list your more valuable items on eBay and watch your decluttering efforts pay off.
Once your home is organized, consider purchasing a few decorative items to add a touch of hominess. Some new oven mitts in the kitchen, fluffy towels in the bathroom, and elegant throw pillows on the couch are common options. These items don’t have to be expensive to look luxurious! For the best prices, pick up these staging items from retailers like Kohl’s or Target. Just be sure to look for coupons before shopping to save even more.
Make Low-Cost Upgrades
You may be able to get even more for your home by making a few low-cost upgrades. Painting your walls is one of the most affordable ways to quickly change the entire look of your home. This is especially important if you have bold or dark wall colors. Homebuyers want to see neutral shades in soft tones — light blue and pale blue are particularly popular. Remember to patch any drywall holes before painting! Also, consider swapping out the knobs on your cabinets. Stainless steel hardware is more desirable than dated brass and bronze, and you can pick up these knobs for around $10 at any home improvement store.
Make sure you address the lighting in your home as well. You may want to replace your light bulbs with brighter options or add a couple of floor lamps to illuminate dim areas. LED lights provide more light while using less energy. If your outdoor lighting is scarce, think about installing some simple path lighting and spotlights to highlight landscaping features.
Stick to Budget-Friendly Exterior Projects
As you move outside, there are some additional budget-friendly projects you can tackle to help your home sell faster. Remember, the exterior of your home is the first thing that potential buyers see, both in pictures and in person. Mow your grass and edge the lawn so everything looks clean. Pick up a few flowers from your local nursery to enhance the appeal of your front entrance. NerdWallet recommends renting a power-washer to clean up your siding and investing in new, eye-catching house numbers.
Get Your Family Involved in Cleaning
Once your home is ready to go on the market, you’re left with the ongoing task of keeping it spotless for showings. You’ll want to dust, sweep, vacuum, make the beds, and clean the counters daily. Get your family together and give everyone responsibilities. Your children could be in charge of unloading and reloading the dishwasher every day, for example. And instead of buying specialized cleaning supplies for each and every surface in your home, use a simple mix of vinegar, water, and dish soap to clean everything.
While maintenance cleaning is a must, the initial deep clean may be too much for a busy family. If you need to outsource one thing, let a thorough clean be the top choice. Hiring a professional cleaning service can help whip your home into shape quickly, making it easier to keep up with from day to day. A one-time cleaning service in Wellington ranges from $86-$176, and this could be money well spent that frees you up for other important tasks.
No matter how much planning you do, preparing to sell your home is going to be a lot of work. Start as early as possible so you can fit cleaning, decluttering, and repair sessions into your busy schedule without losing your mind. And don’t be afraid to spend a little on small upgrades or services that will increase your sale price!