We show homes every day and we see all types of flaws and masterpieces. From brilliant design ideas and creative uses of space to overlooked projects and problemed areas of properties. Sellers listen up and buyers pay attention. The following tips pertain to both home buyers and sellers as they're easy fixes to any home. You'd think home sellers would do these things before putting their home on the market but surprisingly, they often do not. Home buyers, know that these simple fixes are also just as simple for you if the seller hasn't done them yet.
Trees make buyers squirm and are a nuisance to a property. Most properties have trees and they come in all shapes and sizes. While trees are a great value addition and feature to a property due to energy savings and shade, they also grow. Home owners sometimes forget that trees grow and home buyers sometimes forget that they can be trimmed quite easily. The problem is when trees are overhanging onto a garage roof, over a fence, walkway or into a neighbor's property. Trees can cause damage to a roof and add unnecessary moisture and pests. Home buyers, understand that trees can be trimmed and home owners, trim your trees, please.
Basement odors and moisture are dungeonesque. Home owners aren't always aware of odors in the home since they live there every day. Basements can be a trap for moisture and often have a musty smell. Just because there's an odor doesn't mean it's a wet basement. All basements are underground and encounter moisture, fact. It's up to the home owner to keep as much moisture away from the exterior foundation as possible. It's also up to the home owner to keep the inside of the basement clean and clear of unnecessary signs. Open windows! Please air out the basement and keep an air flow constant. Basements need to breathe. Use a dehumidifier at all times. Dust your ducts. Many forget to clean the basement and webs and dust have a field day.
Closets are comical. Home owners almost always neglect their closets when updating or redecorating their homes. I always get a kick out of the insides of closets when showing homes to buyers. Home sellers, please remember that every inch and nook of your home will be looked at and judged. Tearing down the 1965 wallpaper and enclosing the loosely hanging light bulb is a nice touch and eliminates the Realtor's explanation in your bedroom. Home owners also tend to clutter up every inch of the closet and it actually makes it appear smaller. Store away shoes, clothes and coats you're not using at least once a month. Under the bed storage is a great idea since it's usable and tucked away space. Grab some big Tupperware containers or vacuum bags for a few bucks at any drug store. An updated and clean closet says a lot about how you maintain the other things in the home.
Doorknobs, hinges and fixtures are one of my favorite and most simple fix tips. There's nothing that assists an older or outdated home better than all new doorknobs, light switches, register covers, faucets, hinges and handles on cabinets. Outdated lighting fixtures are also relatively cheap and simple to install. Even someone who has never swung a hammer can figure it out and have all of these items replaced and new in a day. Home sellers, get going... and home buyers, remember you too can do these easy upgrades when the home is yours.
Tile grout gets dirty fast. Grout, especially the lighter colors tends to attract stains no matter how well you've sealed the surface. While you may think the floor, walls or counter top needs replaced, it's likely not the tile that's in need, it's the grout. The good news is grout is affordable and a simple fix. You can scrape out the existing grout and fill it in with new. If you're not quite sure how to do this, there are a ton of websites dedicated to tile and grout laying and removal and any pro at Home Depot will be glad to walk you through the steps and point out exactly what you'll need to make your tile look like new.
Porcelain sinks suffer from scrape marks and stains due to pots, silverware and of course food. It doesn't need replaced. There are two ways to make your porcelain sink look brand new, bleach and Oxy Clean. You can stop up the sink and add two cups of bleach or a half a cup of Oxy Clean paste. Sponge bleach or Oxy once over the sides all the way to the top and leave it there. Let the bleach or Oxy clean work for at least a half an hour. Rinse away completely and no scrubbing is needed. You'll have a brand new sink rid of scuff marks and stains.
Trees make buyers squirm and are a nuisance to a property. Most properties have trees and they come in all shapes and sizes. While trees are a great value addition and feature to a property due to energy savings and shade, they also grow. Home owners sometimes forget that trees grow and home buyers sometimes forget that they can be trimmed quite easily. The problem is when trees are overhanging onto a garage roof, over a fence, walkway or into a neighbor's property. Trees can cause damage to a roof and add unnecessary moisture and pests. Home buyers, understand that trees can be trimmed and home owners, trim your trees, please.
Basement odors and moisture are dungeonesque. Home owners aren't always aware of odors in the home since they live there every day. Basements can be a trap for moisture and often have a musty smell. Just because there's an odor doesn't mean it's a wet basement. All basements are underground and encounter moisture, fact. It's up to the home owner to keep as much moisture away from the exterior foundation as possible. It's also up to the home owner to keep the inside of the basement clean and clear of unnecessary signs. Open windows! Please air out the basement and keep an air flow constant. Basements need to breathe. Use a dehumidifier at all times. Dust your ducts. Many forget to clean the basement and webs and dust have a field day.
Closets are comical. Home owners almost always neglect their closets when updating or redecorating their homes. I always get a kick out of the insides of closets when showing homes to buyers. Home sellers, please remember that every inch and nook of your home will be looked at and judged. Tearing down the 1965 wallpaper and enclosing the loosely hanging light bulb is a nice touch and eliminates the Realtor's explanation in your bedroom. Home owners also tend to clutter up every inch of the closet and it actually makes it appear smaller. Store away shoes, clothes and coats you're not using at least once a month. Under the bed storage is a great idea since it's usable and tucked away space. Grab some big Tupperware containers or vacuum bags for a few bucks at any drug store. An updated and clean closet says a lot about how you maintain the other things in the home.
Doorknobs, hinges and fixtures are one of my favorite and most simple fix tips. There's nothing that assists an older or outdated home better than all new doorknobs, light switches, register covers, faucets, hinges and handles on cabinets. Outdated lighting fixtures are also relatively cheap and simple to install. Even someone who has never swung a hammer can figure it out and have all of these items replaced and new in a day. Home sellers, get going... and home buyers, remember you too can do these easy upgrades when the home is yours.
Tile grout gets dirty fast. Grout, especially the lighter colors tends to attract stains no matter how well you've sealed the surface. While you may think the floor, walls or counter top needs replaced, it's likely not the tile that's in need, it's the grout. The good news is grout is affordable and a simple fix. You can scrape out the existing grout and fill it in with new. If you're not quite sure how to do this, there are a ton of websites dedicated to tile and grout laying and removal and any pro at Home Depot will be glad to walk you through the steps and point out exactly what you'll need to make your tile look like new.
Porcelain sinks suffer from scrape marks and stains due to pots, silverware and of course food. It doesn't need replaced. There are two ways to make your porcelain sink look brand new, bleach and Oxy Clean. You can stop up the sink and add two cups of bleach or a half a cup of Oxy Clean paste. Sponge bleach or Oxy once over the sides all the way to the top and leave it there. Let the bleach or Oxy clean work for at least a half an hour. Rinse away completely and no scrubbing is needed. You'll have a brand new sink rid of scuff marks and stains.
posted by Cleveland Real Estate at
6/18/2008
2 Comments:
Thanks a lot for such valuable information you provide. Really love & appreciate the blog.
Well thanks. =)
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