Getting ready to sell your house? If you only have one day to prepare, we’ve got you covered. But if you have a bit more time, there are a handful of tiny, budget-friendly–even free!–fixes that will make your space more attractive to buyers. How do we know? We went straight to the people who make the deals: RealtorsⓇ. Here’s what they say will help move the needle from so-so to “sold!”
Meet the experts:
We spoke to three Realtors from from different parts of the country:
- Jeffery Sweet of Sweet Group Realty in Twin Falls, Idaho
- Erin Duffy Kruss of the Mark Siwiec Team in Rochester, New York
- Dan Tenney of MHB Real Estate in Madison, Wisconsin
Tidy up your front yard landscaping.
Landscaping is at the top of the list for Sweet. “It’s the first thing buyers see when they pull up to the home,” he says. “If the landscaping looks overgrown, unmaintained, and dead, it gives the impression that the inside will be the same.”
Sweet says that you don’t have to do anything dramatic. “Sellers can do wonders by just making sure the yard is trimmed up and is as clean as possible. When in doubt, just keep it simple.” But if you wanted to go the extra yard, consider re-mulching your flower beds or even adding a small edible garden.
Organize your closets.
You might not like to think so, but buyers will snoop. Kruss’ top recommendation is to organize your closets. Start by keeping them at 50% capacity and making sure everything is in its proper place (only linens in the linen closet, etc.).
Kruss also suggests using matching hangers, making sure clothes are facing the same direction, and getting rid of any dry-cleaning plastic. Ideally, she says, “you want to convey that if they live in your home, their life will take on this wonderful, Zen-like order.”
Shopping list:
- Underbed Clothing Storage (2 Pack), $31 at StorageLab
- BUMERANG Hanger, $5 for 8 at IKEA
- Bridgette Multi Hook, $34 at Anthropologie
Get the lights right.
Lighting can make or break a space, and it’s easy to adjust. “At a minimum, sellers should have every lightbulb in the home working and matching,” says Sweet. He also recommends making sure your bulbs have the same tone (i.e. warm white vs. cool white). Finally, he says, “Adding light fixtures in areas where it’s dark can have a huge impact on how the overall room looks and feels.”
Kruss adds that “dimmers are your friend” when it comes to creating a soothing environment. And Tenney says changing outdated lighting fixtures is an easy way to update your home. His suggestion? Make a big impact with an on-trend pendant lighting or a chandelier over a dining table to give the whole room a fresh feel.
Shopping list:
- Large Seagrass Pendant – Threshold Designed by Studio McGee, $200 at Target
- Warm White Dimmable LED Light Bulbs, $21 for 12 at Amazon
- Lutron LED Dimmer Switch, $33 at Amazon
