Now that everyone has had time to finish all the projects from the previous post, let's cover the interior.
I know that not everything can be changed or updated when you're preparing to sell. Why put a bunch of money into a property that you don't want to live in? But, you don't want to be stuck with the property forever either. There must be a balance.
The following list of changes may of course not apply to all homeowners. If it does, you don't necessarily have to hit each item before you list your home. Pick a couple that you think will make the biggest impact and go from there. It may be enough. You can always do more if you're not getting the results you want.
*Clutter - Do I really need to say it? Pick up your crap! No one wants to walk into a stranger's house and see their dirty laundry, dishes, dog toys, children's toys, papers, magazines and recycling lying about. This does not create a welcoming "homey" feeling for a potential buyer.
*Furniture - How much is in each room? You may need to edit some pieces to make the space feel larger, more open. Remove dressers from bedrooms to make them appear bigger. I know the closet is too small to hold all the clothes but the buyer doesn't need to know that! Let them figure it out AFTER they purchase your home.
With seating areas, you are going for appearance not function.
*Flooring - If the carpet is disgusting have a pro come out and clean it. If that's not in the budget rent one for the weekend or borrow a friend's. For hardwood or laminate flooring try using a product like Bona to clean it and bring it to a sheen. If you have tile, get a whitening agent and make the grout sparkle. For marble and granite scuffs and scratches, have a pro buff them to look like new.
*Walls - Putty any holes in the wall. If you see an area that needs sprucing up, put a fresh coat of paint on it. But remember, it is best to go with a more neutral color on the walls. Bright, bold colors are taste specific and you may have trouble selling it.
*Windows - Same as outside, clean them!
*Bathroom - Big selling point. You want it to look it's best. Does the faucet need replacing? How about the shower head? Is the medicine cabinet in good shape? How about a decorative mirror above the sink? A fresh shower curtain and new towels are always a nice touch. Repair any loose tiles and make sure towel bars and toilet paper holders are secure. Put personal items out of sight.
Kitchen - Probably the biggest selling point. Clean counters off. Open counter space sells. Wipe out the refrigerator and clean the exterior. Wipe the front of the cupboards and add/replace knobs for a fresh look. Depending on the type of cabinets, you may be able to paint them to help a dated kitchen feel newer. Consider adding/replacing a tile backsplash. Install a nice kitchen faucet. Fresh paint on the walls.
Ceiling fans - They are not extremely expensive so look into replacing the dated 1990's model in your bedroom.
Light fixtures - Again, not extremely expensive. If you have some out of date fixtures look into replacing them with something more current and environmentally friendly. Also, consider adding dimmer switches to control light levels.
Mini blinds - If you have them, think about replacing them. A roman shade, fabric panels or even wood blinds are a better choice.
Remember, you are trying to appeal to the largest group of buyers. Buyers don't want to work too hard trying to envision what the place could look like once they paint over your turquoise zebra stripes. Most people are looking for a place they can move right in to. Good Luck!
