Repairs and Improvements to make before you put your home on the market

Suggestion I:

The top remodeling jobs in terms of "Return on Investment" are adding bathrooms, garages, family rooms and kitchen remodeling. These extras can bring a big payoff.

Project Possible / ROI

• Bathrooms could add / 24 %
• Water views command about / 8 %
• Waterfront increases value about / 18 %
• Golf Course about / 8 %
• Cul-de-sacs could increase value by about / 1.5 %
• Garages could add / 12.9 %
• Tennis courts could add / 3.1 %
• Family rooms could add / 7.3 %
• Separate dining could rooms add / 6.2 %
• Security systems could add / 5.6 %
• Utility/mud room could add / 1.1 %
• In-ground pools could can add / 7.9 %
• In-ground sprinkler systems could add / 8 %
• Built in appliances and islands can add / 5.3% to 8.4 %

Suggestion 2:

After you have made basic repairs, the task of selling your home boils down to making the house as clean, clutter-free and inviting as possible. Now is the time to make cosmetic improvements from rearranging furniture, painting a dingy room or freshening up your front entrance with flowers. The difficult part will be keeping up appearances as long as your house is for sale. Go through this checklist as least every other day to make sure you home is tidy.

Front entrance

• Clean doors and windows
• Sweep sidewalk
• Polish doorknob
• Shake out doormat
• Water container flowers (replace if necessary)
• Clean doors and windows
• Keep the lawn and landscaping trimmed

Entryway

• Clean doors and windows
• Mop floor, shake out rug, vacuum carpeting
• Water container flowers or plants
• Dust shelves or entry table
• Tidy up closet

Living room, Family room

• Stow away newspapers, magazines, books, games, toys, and videos
• Straighten out coffee table, bookshelves, and other areas
• Mop floor or vacuum rugs
• Vacuum upholstered furniture; wipe down leather or vinyl
• Dust surfaces (including TV screen)
• Sweep fireplace
• Wipe down ceiling fan blades
• Water houseplants

Kitchen

• Mop or vacuum floor
• Clean appliances
• Wipe countertops, cabinets
• Clean sink
• Stow away kitchen sponge and dish towels
• Open windows or run fan to remove cooking odors

Bathrooms

• Wipe wet shower stalls and bathtubs
• Mop floors
• Put out fresh towels
• Empty wastebaskets
• Clean sinks, mirrors and faucets
• Stow away laundry

Bedrooms

• Make beds
• Mop floors or vacuum rugs
• Stow away shoes, laundry, clothes, books or toys
• Open curtains or shades
• Tidy up closet

Home Office

• Straighten out desk and bookshelves
• Stow away files
• Mop Floor or vacuum rugs
• Dust surfaces, including computer screen
• Polish cabinets and woodwork

Basement

• Clear clutter blocking access to furnace, electrical box or laundry room
• Sweep stairs

Suggestion 3

With very little effort, you can transform an average house into an above-average property that is sure to get second looks from buyers. Follow these guidelines to make sure your property stands out above the rest:

Pretend you're the buyer

• The more pleasing and memorable the experience of viewing your home, the more likely a buyer is to either make an offer on the spot or return to see it again. Set aside your emotional attachment and act on your instincts. Warm up the decor if it seems sterile. Trim your shrubbery if it blocks a clear curbside view of the house.

Include a decorating allowance

• A buyer who likes your house could be put off by the amount of redecorating it may require. Consider an allowance for new carpeting or fresh paint. Or, do it before the home goes on the market.

Offer financial help

• Aiding a buyer financially can be tricky, but in the right circumstances (for example, if you have a lot of equity), covering closing costs or several months of mortgage payments can make a deal happen.

Paint inside and out

• Fresh paint is the most cost-effective and profitable improvement you can make, even if your home doesn't need a new coat. Paint the interior walls a neutral color and the ceilings white to make rooms look bigger.

New lights

• Replace outdated fixtures. This inexpensive improvement can update old decor that might have discouraged buyers.

New flooring

• Install new carpet, linoleum, or tile, and refurbish hardwood floors if needed. Choose a neutral color for new carpeting. New flooring will increase the market value of your home, while shabby floors can kill a sale.

Planted landscape

• Attractive front and back yards boost the value of any property. Mow the lawn, trim shrubs, and plant new bedding flowers. Clean up perennial beds. Plant some trees if the yard is barren, especially in the front parkway. Sweep the patio or deck and decorate with potted plants and flowers.

Completed repairs

• Before listing your home for sale, make all minor repairs and try to catch up on maintenance. If you've deferred maintenance, get a professional home inspection. If the inspection reveals problems, make the repairs before listing the home. If you don't, the buyer will probably discount the offer price for more than the cost of repairs or replacement. (See more information at the Preparing for the Home Inspection link).

A Clean Garage

• If you use your garage for storage, clean it out and rent a storage space. Paint the interior white. If your garage is unfinished, install wallboard or build storage shelves on the back wall. A clean garage will help solidify a buyer's impression of a home in move-in condition

A final note: These ideas could be the deciding factor in someone buying your home vs. another home in your geographic area or possibly on your street in a Buyers Market

Suggestion 4

Cost vs. Value:

Have you ever wondered if it is worth the cost and hassle to remodel or add on? Will you get your money back? According to MAR:

National Recouped / Michigan Recouped

Minor Kitchen Remode Nationall 88 % Michigan 102 %
Two-Story Addition National 84 %`Michigan 98 %
Bathroom Addition National 82 % Michigan 113 %
Bathroom Remodel National 82 % Michigan98 %
Exterior Painting National 76 % Michigan 108 %
Attic Bedroom National 75 % MichignanN/A
Master Suite National 72 % Michiigan N/A
Basement Refinishing National 69 % Michigan N/A
Re-Roofing National 60 % Michigan N/A
Sunroom Addition National 60 % Michigan N/A
Family RoomsNatioanl N/A Michigan 98 %

For further details on any of these Add On and Remodels, drop me an email and I will be happy to send you additional information.