If you are getting ready to sell, preparing your home for sale can be a daunting task. "Everyone" says to neutralize the house, white wash the walls and get rid of your family photos. In our opinion, that advice is not all that accurate or helpful. If in any doubt, have a Realtor out to tour your home well ahead of time to make recommendations on where to spend your money, time, and effort to net you the most from the sale.
While neutral fresh paint will dramatically add to the appeal of your home to buyers, we do NOT recommend painting all the walls white. White walls throughout a home leave the home with a "sterile" feeling. Neutral colors are actually warm and softer shades of brown, gray, yellow, green and blue. We don't recommend shades of pink, purple, red or orange as they appeal to a smaller segment of the buyer population.
If you have an accent wall with a strong or deep color on it; that is okay as long as it works well with the décor of the home. And even if you do have an entire room that is deep navy blue or crimson red, if it is well done and shows well, you may be better off leaving it be. This is where the experienced "neutral" eye of a Realtor can help make that decision.
While there are certain aspects of your home that you cannot change for the sale (such as the location, lot size, layout), there are things you can do to maximize your sale price. While we don't recommend a complete remodeling to sell a home, there are changes/improvements that will be worthwhile and will get your home sold faster and at a higher price.
We always recommend that sellers take care of repairs before making cosmetic changes. Neglected repairs are a red flag to buyers that the home is not properly maintained. What other problems have been ignored?
In addition to fresh paint, buyers respond well to:
1. Carpeting that is new or in excellent condition (also neutral in color)
2. Updated kitchens and bathrooms
3. Sunny rooms with abundant natural light
4. Very clean and uncluttered surfaces
5. Updated systems (HVAC, roof, water heater, kitchen appliances)
6. Cosmetic upgrades (such as granite countertops, ceramic tile floors, freshly painted 6-panel doors with modern hardware)
The items that quickly turn off buyers:
1. Wallpaper (no one wants to have to remove it)
2. Unfinished rooms (especially trim work and spackle/drywall)
3. Odors (especially pet, cooking, or musty odors)
4. Evidence of moisture/water issues in the basement area
5. Evidence of a leaking roof and ceiling stains
6. Old windows
7. Flooring stains and scratches
8. Stains in tubs, sinks and toilets
A strategic investment of $3K to $5K can easily net $5K to $10K or more in the eventual selling price of a home. Time after time, our experience has been the sellers who go "above and beyond" in preparing a home for sale are the ones who are the happiest with the net proceeds and time on the market.
On the question of family photos, we think some are good. A home should convey an impression of good memories, security and happiness. A few photos strategically placed can convey that message and not leave the buyers wondering, "Who the heck lives here?"
~Lisa
Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.
Preparing to Sell Your Home - What is Neutral Paint Anyway? Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.
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The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
Gina Wherry - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213
This is a good list of items to correct, and the paint suggestions are right on. White walls are in many cases unflattering. Nice post!
This is a great post. Very well thought out and written. Thank you for sharing!
Keep Smiling,
Karen
Thanks for the comments. You keep smiling too!
~Lisa
This is a great post! I like your color suggestions. I agree, total white is a turn off. And I think you may have been in one of my listings! The living room was deep navy and the dining room was maroon. But it worked! The house was so tastefully done, I did not recommend painting (except the charcoal gray bedroom -- way too dark!). The hose sold in one week.