In a buyer's market, selling a home takes
some patience and creativity. Just a few inexpensive updates can make your
customers' homes look more appealing. Offer these simple design tips to your
customers to help entice potential buyers at your next open house:
- Don't leave wallpaper up. When most potential homebuyers see
wallpaper, they envision the unenviable project of taking it down. Take this
project off of potential buyers' to-do lists and strip old wallpaper from walls.
Paint the walls a neutral tone to appeal to a wider audience of buyers. - Do replace old fixtures. Brass fixtures were big in the 1980s but
today's trend is satin nickel and oil rubbed bronze finishes on doorknobs and
lighting. Refinishing outdated brass fixtures using metallic spray paint is a
simple and inexpensive fix and replacing outdated hardware on cabinets gives
them a fresh, modern look. - Don't keep that old avocado-colored toilet – do replace it with a simple
white one. Other relatively easy and inexpensive updates that can go a long
way include replacing old vanities and sinks. Do replace or repair any broken
shower tiles. Tight on space? Add a large wall mirror to make a small bathroom
seem bigger. - Do add extra storage space in a kitchen and update countertops. If
granite countertops are not in the budget, many home stores offer laminate
countertops that look like granite for half the cost. Small additions such as a
stylish island or kitchen cart can add counter and storage space. Do replace
builder-grade faucets with modern fixtures, which can make a big difference for
a small cost. For the do-it-yourself seller, adding a backsplash using glass
tiled self-adhesive panels can add a modern flair. - Don't show buyers clutter. Do organize with shelves, cabinets and
baskets. In closets, shelves and decorative baskets can help organize items such
as linens and make closets appear larger and clutter-free. In the laundry room,
adding inexpensive cabinets or shelves above the washer/dryer not only provides
extra storage, but also gives this space a clean look and feel – just what a
buyer wants in this area of the home!