Three Things Every Home Seller Needs to Do

Let's face it. While we all know there are lots of remodels that could make the home you're selling in Glenview or Northbrook more appealing, in the long run, costly remodels may not pay for themselves by garnering a higher selling price.

However, there are three things that every home seller needs to check and fix as necessary.

Carpet - The first item to consider is the flooring. Look at the carpeting throughout the house and decide if it can be cleaned and possibly stretched back into shape, or if it's going to have to be replaced. While many home sellers want to avoid this expense, often theorizing that carpet they would select the buyer won't want anyway, it is still in the seller's best interest to replace the carpeting if it's in bad condition.

By installing lower-priced, yet nice-looking carpet before possible buyers start trying to talk down the price of the house because of the decrepit carpeting, you're making the decision on how much to spend on new carpet, rather than letting the buyer dictate it.

Interior Paint - Next, look at the walls. When you live with them every day, you may not see all the scuffs and dings on your walls. So take a good look and you may be surprised at what you find. Chairs may have hit the walls and marred them, kids or pets may be banging them up or creating some dirty spots, or they may just be a less-than-lovable color.

Especially if you can do the work yourself, painting is a very inexpensive fix that can totally transform the interior of your home. Try to stick with neutral colors such as beige but avoid white on the walls. If there are smokers in your home, you can even purchase paint that purports to help get rid of any smoky smell.

Landscaping - The third item that must be considered before putting your home on the market, is the landscaping. With luck, trimming bushes down to a more manicured look, keeping the lawn mowed on a schedule that keeps it looking nice all the time, pruning dead limbs from trees and planting some colorful annuals, will be enough to give your home some great curb appeal.

If there are dead trees or bushes, however, they need to be removed. For dead spots in the lawn, put in a few squares of sod for a quick repair. Don't forget to scrub down outside porches and doorways and while you have your paint brushes out, consider giving the front door a fresh coat of paint.

To sell your home in Glenview, Wilmette or Northbrook, let the Marla Schneider Team help you. She has lots of resources to help sell your home quickly and painlessly.