Homebuyers always look for a beautiful, clean place with signs that it has been maintained over the years. So you can sell your home at the top price to buyers who want a move-in condition and to avoid doing a lot of work. They will want to reach an agreement fast before someone else beats them to it.
Many homes on the market are in poor condition, so buyers are willing to spend more money when they find a gem and see value in a property.
My real estate agent taught me about a few inexpensive home improvements that helped to get the best price with a quick sale.
The first thing my real estate agent told me to do was to replace the chandelier in my dining room. She explained that a good-looking replacement is not expensive, and the investment would help attract buyers.
I had an outdated lighting fixture for all the years I had lived there. A new one adds value to one’s home.
I found a beautiful and expensive-looking chandelier at Home Depot for only $350 and installed it that same day. I didn’t want to wait for anything because we were scheduled to start showing the house.
One bedroom in my house had blue walls. My real estate agent told me to repaint it with neutral colors.
Once again, I listened to her and quickly painted it. I used Linen White for the walls and Dove White for the trim. Simple. I used that same combination throughout the rest of the house, so it was a no-brainer, and now it all matches.
I knew it worked since neutral colors make it easy to furnish a home. You never have to worry about mismatching furniture colors with the rest of a room.
I painted it myself at a cost of around $100 for the paint and supplies.
You can find neutral colors that create a balance between a cool and warm atmosphere.1
I had some window shades in my kitchen’s breakfast area that had yellowed over the years. Worn and yellowing shades create an eyesore, and they distract buyers.
No Shades Are Better Than Worn Shades
My real estate agent explained that no shades are better than worn-looking shades to make an excellent presentation. Merely removing those shades made the room brighter and more inviting. So there was no need to replace them.
That suggestion to remove the shades was understandably effective, as you can see in the picture below. I would have enjoyed many years of a more delightful view of the yard if I had removed them earlier.
There was no need for shades there anyway, since it was the rear of the house, and I had a secluded yard.
It’s worth replacing an old dishwasher or refrigerator. They are not as expensive as you might think, and having new appliances in the kitchen attracts homebuyers.
I had always taken great care of everything. I maintained the heating and electric systems throughout the years, made minor repairs to keep up with normal wear and tear, and even replaced the roof.
I also bought a new dishwasher and refrigerator shortly before selling my house. The cost of these things comes back many times over when selling.2
People usually make an offer contingent on the seller performing particular tasks. These things tend to be simple changes that are important to them.
I recognized the feeling behind it and had no problem as long as the requests were reasonable. I know, because I made similar requests when I looked for a new home.
The little things that my buyer requested were a no-brainer. I realized that if it didn’t cost much, I might as well do it to hook the buyer into a purchase.
My buyer asked me to replace three hazy windows you may have noticed in the photo above. I could never clean them since the haze was between the double panes. So taking care of that was a no-brainer to sell the house.
A local glazier gave me a very reasonable quote. Since I had to wait until I knew the buyer would sign a contract, the glazier agreed to honor his quoted price at a later date. Of course, I got that agreement in writing.
My buyer also found that one door was loose on its hinges and didn’t close properly. That was an easy fix that I could do myself by placing longer screws through the hinges to secure them better. Even if you feel you need to call a carpenter, it’s worth this simple, low-cost repair.
It’s reasonable for buyers to request that anything that’s a health hazard or safety concern be repaired.3
Buyers want to be sure nothing is going to break after they move in. If they find something on the verge of failure, they may ask you to replace it. If it’s a small job, do it — but only after a contract is signed. The attorneys can always add a clause to the contract stating what will be done.
Since I made the minor changes my real estate agent brought to my attention, I found it was easy to sell my home at a great price. The improvements made it clear that it was well-maintained, which sparked a lot of interest from buyers looking for a new home.
I quickly received several offers, and I accepted one of them. You might say I was lucky, but I know what works to appeal to buyers: Give them what they want.
I had a signed contract in three weeks because I followed my agent’s advice about the simple upgrades it needed for a quick sale at a great price.
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