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Whether you are sprucing up
your home as a spring
cleaning ritual, or
preparing your home for
sale, there are some tried
and true tips to help you
gain the most from your
efforts. In fact, some of
the most important fix-up
projects a homeowner can
perform may be accomplished
on little more than
elbow-grease, and they can
help speed the sale of your
home.
A thorough cleaning, a fresh
coat of paint, and yard
grooming are the ABC’s of
preparing for a sale. First
impressions are important
and a neat, clean look gives
a good first impression to
buyers.
Some additional ideas which
you may want to consider:
Plan a yard-sale, or a
tax-deductible donation to
remove old furniture and
toys, appliances and other
clutter material. Your
attic, garage, closets,
cupboards and storage space
will look so much bigger,
and moving will be easier
for you,
*A newly painted wall (in a
light or neutral shade) is a
canvas to the eye of
prospective buyers; and
clean windows brighten and
enlarge each room.
*A well clipped yard - free
of scattered toys - allows
viewers to focus on the
neatness of the home.
*Fix dripping faucets and
repair any caulking cracks.
Bathrooms are a key selling
point.
If you are prepared to
invest some money to improve
your home’s presentation,
start with the most
cost-effective projects and
remember to keep a journal
of jobs and receipts. Home
improvement costs are often
deductible (when costs are
incurred 90 days before the
sale and paid within 30 days
after the sale). While
lawn-mowing and weekly
cleaning bills do not
qualify according to IRS
regulations, new paint, a
new water heater, or new
gutters usually do apply.
Some hints:
*Replace broken gutters and
shutters.
*New paint indoors or out is
usually approved by the IRS
for deduction if completed
and paid for near the time
of sale.
*New floor coverings (in
neutral shades) on kitchen
and bathroom floors may be
another affordable
investment which can speed a
sale by appealing to buyers’
desire for a property that
is ‘ready to move in,’
particularly if the current
style of colors are dated.
*Repair broken woodwork,
loose planks, and creaky
stairs. No buyer wants a
home that needs structural
repairs.
*Hardwood floors are a plus.
If you have hardwood floors,
consider removing the floor
covering, especially if the
carpet is worn.
You may want to reconsider
more ambitious jobs,
however, if you are thinking
of selling the home any time
soon. While bathroom and
kitchen up-grades generally
help appreciation, not all
home additions will add
value to the property -
other than that value which
you personally enjoy. Not
everyone wants a swimming
pool that could be a safety
hazard for young children,
or an island kitchen design
that restricts kitchen
traffic flow. A new deck may
recoup its installment
costs, but new kitchen
cabinets come in a variety
of designs and styles that
the buyer should choose.
Talk to your REALTOR® about
the improvements most
appropriate in current
market conditions and you
will do your share to speed
the sale of your home.
© 2005 Massachusetts
Association of REALTORS®.
All Rights Reserved.
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