It’s no secret that the better your home looks, the higher the price it’ll fetch. But if you can’t spare the time, energy and money to complete the basement, lay down new flooring or upgrade the countertops, here are some quick (and relatively easy) fixes you can do with a limited budget to get your house sold at a higher price.
Junk Removal
De-cluttering your house goes a long way. It gives it an impression of a bigger, cleaner space and expands the possibility future homeowners can do with that space. Start the process by sorting out items that you wish to keep or discard. You may find it useful to have a second perspective on items that you want to hold on to, especially non-functional items that take up a lot of space (e.g. decorative wall hangings, home furnishings, duplicate items). Once you have removed substantial items that you no longer need, you could start looking at a temporary storage of non-essential items so they do not occupy the space in your home during showings. Some storage places may offer a promotion such as free storage for the first few weeks, or approach a friend who might be able to hold the items if they have the extra space.
Paint
A low-cost investment to giving your space a face lift is to re-paint any bright or dark-colored rooms to a neutral shade to transform it into a fresh and clean new space. Find a light, neutral color that matches the wall trims and ceiling (think white or a very light gray). Remember to use painters tape to tape up areas and lay down newspapers or drop cloths on the floor to prevent accidental drips and paint-overs. This slightly tedious but affordable step will go a long way toward increasing the value of the home.
Fixtures and Finishes
Are your doorknobs tainted and squeaky when you turn it? Do light fixtures in the home look gaudy? If you can notice it, your potential home buyer would as well! But stress not, you do not need to spend a ton to change the fixtures and furnishes in your home. Several hardware stores have a clearance aisle where you can pick up brand new fixtures at a heavily discounted price. Also check out online furniture stores such as wayfair.ca for promotions among their huge range of products. Last but not least, Facebook Marketplace has recently been a favorite among many to find used products at a great price. Shop around and pick up some items that can give your home the effect of a small makeover.
Curb Appeal
The feeling buyers get when they drive up to your home is determined by your curb appeal. Combine the first 3 tips above and begin by decluttering your front lawn and driveway, followed by painting your door (if it looks like it could use a new pop of color or a fresh coat of the current color) and maybe changing the front porch lights. Depending on the season you sell your house in, you may want to showcase a nicely manicured lawn or a well-plowed driveway. Make potential buyers feel comfortable as they prepare to enter your home and view its interior.
Those are just some tips to get your house show-ready on a tight budget! Remember: regular maintenance, cleaning, de-cluttering, and landscaping of your home will be to your benefit, so by the time your house is ready to go on the market, you are not overwhelmed with the amount of work you have to do.
If you are looking for an alternative way to sell your home that doesn’t involve putting in any work into it, contact us at Bow River Properties. We are private home buyers in Calgary and we specialize in buying properties in any condition, without listing on the market and multiple public showings. We don’t charge any commission or fees too! Fill in the form below to get in touch.