5 thrifty DIY fix-ups to help sell your home
When preparing your home for the market, it’s great to know
there are some relatively inexpensive improvements that can make a big
impact with buyers.
“A
few well-placed pieces of décor and a clutter-free home are simple
things you can do on a budget to bump up interest in your home,”
recommends Marian Barry, a broker-owner at Royal LePage True North
Realty in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Once the fundamentals of a
well-maintained home are taken care of, these easy initiatives can seal
the deal.
- Clear the decks. Counter space is extremely
important for buyers. Be sure to store kitchen and bathroom items off
the counters. Purchase storage baskets in several different sizes to
help you clear the decks in a hurry and minimize clutter.
- Brighten up storage spaces. Closets and cupboard
space are important selling features. You can make the most of what you
have by purging unused items and painting a light colour inside
cupboards and closets. Adding battery-operated lighting is also an
inexpensive way to brighten a dark closet.
- Replace interior room doors. Quickly and
inexpensively brighten hallways and rooms by replacing interior doors
and hardware. New white panelled doors and hardware can quickly freshen
the home. Look for sales at your local building centre.
- Tear up dingy broadloom. You may be pleasantly
surprised by what’s underneath. Even if you don’t like what you see,
replacing broadloom is one of the most economical improvements you can
make when you consider overall return on your dollar.
- Paint. Even high-end interior paints are a bargain
when you look at what can be achieved with a fresh new finish. Opt for
neutral colours in matte or eggshell finishes to camouflage flaws in
walls. Trim is best handled with a white shade of satin, semi-gloss or
high-gloss finish.
