Thinking of putting your home on the market?  Then you need to think like a Buyer.  Sellers need to remember that Buyers generally are looking for something they can visualize their things fitting into neatly and that looks fresh and updated.  These tips can give your home an edge on the competition without breaking the bank:

1. MOVE IT.  Rearranging the furniture can re-energize a room.  

2. PLANT IT. Houseplants are a generally undervalued design component that can add texture, warmth and color to any room.  Just drop plant in their store containers into decorative planters. 

3. PAINT IT. Paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make a substantial change.  Use dramatic colors in powder rooms and dining rooms and more neutral colors in living spaces.  Buttery yellows & medium shades of green – like sage have been proven to lift buyer’s spirits.  (Stay clear of lime greens or any yellows with green undertones!)

4. ORGANIZE IT. Get rid of your clutter!  A variety of organizing tools will make a space feel polished while maintaining utility.  Hooks & shelves, canvas bins & natural baskets all are great ways to tidy your home.  Also, a good rule of thumb is keep wall décor to one or two per wall.   

5. REPLACE IT. Cabinet handles, switch plates & other small pieces of housing hardware can update a home for just a few dollars.  Scan each room to see what looks worn or outdated & then replace it.  Fresh towels & new toilet seats go a long way toward making a bathroom feel clean & new.

6. LIGHT IT.  Light can have a major impact on a home’s look & feel.  If a room seems dark or too bright, try “layering” the lighting by adding lamps.  Make sure they have independent controls, so that you can turn them on & off at will.  Add dimmers in the dining room, bathroom, kitchen & even hallways for less than $4 each.  Then adjust the lighting to create the mood you want.

7. CLEAN IT. Turn a critical eye to the flooring to make sure it’s up to snuff.  Shampoo carpets, scrub grout & seal natural stone.  Rub out scratches & nicks on wood floors with scratch cover.  Get down on your hands & knees and detail the floors.  It takes a little elbow grease but the results are well worth it.  Give extra attention to your front door & windows. 

Sources:

Sieger, Maggie.  "No-Cost/Low Cost Ways to Tweak It." Realtor, February 2009, 30-31.

Tracey, Melissa Dittmann.  “ Can Color Cost You a Sale?” Realtor, February 2009, 34-35.