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If you are planning to sell your house soon, you obviously want as many viewers as possible. Of course, you secretly hope for the highest possible sales proceeds as well. You can't completely control fate, but you can certainly lend a hand. A well-finished house attracts more viewings and a higher sales value. So sprucing up your house is definitely a good idea. In this article, you will find tips for sprucing up the interior and exterior of your home.
Focus on small improvements that yield the largest possible result
Sprucing up your house for the sale doesn't have to take a lot of time and money. The trick is to achieve the largest possible result with as few investments as possible. So it is certainly not necessary to plan entire renovations or remodels. Small improvements in the finish of your home are often sufficient. Moreover, planning renovations and remodels in the short term is not feasible due to the procurement of raw materials and hiring of professionals.
Don't want to move just yet, but do plan to sell your house in a few years? Then a renovation or remodel can certainly be a good move. Extending the living space or remodeling a kitchen or bathroom will have a positive effect on the living pleasure and the sales value.
Below you will find tips for sprucing up your home, or carrying out relatively small jobs on your house (in the short term). All with the same goal: increasing value and a high turnout at the viewings.
General tips for sprucing up your home for sale
Before we tell you everything about sprucing up the interior and exterior of your house, here are some general tips for sprucing up your home. Keep these in mind when carrying out the tasks:
- Keep it neutral. Whether you're painting the interior spaces or sprucing up the garden, keep the colors and style neutral. The last thing you want is to scare off potential buyers with a bright color on the wall or a taste-specific outdoor tile. Better play it safe.
- Good finish is key. So make sure that everything in the house is well finished. Fix a loose wallpaper or rug or a peeling frame before the appraiser comes by, photos are taken, and viewings take place.
- The first glance is decisive. To properly determine what you should and shouldn't tackle, you need to look at your house the way a buyer would. That's difficult because you know your own house inside and out. Things that others notice or are bothered by often go unnoticed by you. Therefore, invite friends or family and have them critically view the indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Involve your sales real estate agent for help. Real estate agents know exactly what people do and don't stumble over. These are sometimes the smallest things. Let your sales real estate agent advise you about sprucing up your house. Tip: some real estate agents also do sales styling. This way your house is styled in such a way that it will appeal to as many viewers as possible and your property is displayed in the most advantageous way. This can be a wise investment if you have less time or feel for it yourself.
Do you need a sales real estate agent? On Mijn Verkoopmakelaar, you can easily and quickly compare the best real estate agents in your area. Enter your postal code and house number and receive free and non-binding proposals from real estate agents in your city. Want to know more? Here you can read all about how Mijn Verkoopmakelaar works.
Refurbishing the interior of a house for sale
Refurbish the following things inside the house:
- Paint the interior walls in a light, neutral color. Where people live, life happens. Over time, the once fresh walls are covered with black streaks and stains. When furniture has been against the wall for a long time, it often leaves stains, stripes and color difference. Then it would be a good idea to give the walls a new coat of paint. Choose a light and neutral shade of paint. This won't scare anyone off and makes the room look as light and spacious as possible.
- Ensure good lighting in each room. To show each room at its best, the right lighting is crucial. Therefore, ensure good lighting in the right places. Some spots require more light, and in other places, you would rather have more atmospheric light. It is often dark in the shed, so hang a bright light source there. In the bedroom and living room, cozy, warm light is recommended. Not sure about the best lighting? Consult with your real estate agent (or friends and family).
- Provide a fresh wallpaper and fresh carpeting. Loose carpeting or wallpapers are an eyesore and will certainly be noticed by viewers. With fresh wallpaper and beautiful carpeting, the room looks much neater.
- Repair window frames and skirting boards. Broken window frames and loose skirting boards are often of crucial importance to potential buyers. It gives them the idea that there is probably more 'deferred maintenance' to be found in the house. It makes them suspicious. Better prevent this and tackle these chores before you put your property on the market.
- Lay a sheet in a neutral color in the toilet. Are the tiles in the toilet in need of replacement? By laying a new sheet in the toilet, the whole thing looks a lot neater at once. Preferably choose a neutral color, such as gray or anthracite.
- Remove mold in the bathroom. This is bad for health and of course not a pretty sight. You can easily treat starting mold spots with mold cleaner. You should have severe mold removed by a professional.
Refurbishing the exterior of a house for sale
The exterior of your house is the first thing people see during viewings. And as we told you earlier: the first glance is decisive. Therefore, refurbishing the outside of your home is just as important as the inside.
Take on the following outdoor chores when refurbishing your house:
- Paint the outside of your house. Think of course about the exterior window frames, but also about the front door. A chipped door in a grayed color is not exactly the first impression you want to leave. If you're going to do exterior painting, also choose a neutral color again. You can of course do this job yourself, but it would be wise to hire a professional for this. Not only do they have the experience, but they also have all the necessary equipment at their disposal, such as scaffolding and ladders. Please note: exterior painting work can take a few weeks because the paint needs to dry in between. So take enough time for this.
- Ensure a well-maintained garden. With a well-laid out and cared-for garden, you score points with viewers. The garden can often be a dealbreaker for potential buyers. In a beautifully maintained garden with clean tiles, a well-laid terrace and freshly mowed grass, they can already see themselves sitting. Now you really don't have to lay a completely new terrace. But do make sure that overgrowing branches and plants are pruned, the weeds are removed and the tiles and garden furniture are cleaned.
- Oil locks and sticking hinges. Just like the sight of a chipped front door, you also don't score points with a rusted lock or a sticking front door. Fortunately, these inconveniences can be quickly remedied with a little oil. An apparently small detail, but definitely worth it.
Have all chores regarding refurbishing your house for sale been completed? Now it comes down to the details. In our article about making your house ready for sale you can read how to dot the i's and cross the t's.
