Ten easy ways to improve home salability

By Gary Raham
Wellington Correspondent

Everyone would like to sell their house quickly and receive a fair price. Amazingly, the keys to doing that need not be expensive or unduly labor-intensive.

If you can successfully produce a mental image of your mother telling you to "pick up your room" or your second grade teacher telling you that "neatness counts" you may be well on your way to achieving the right mind set. Here are 10 tips from local realtors to help explain what this means.

1. Get rid of clutter

This was the number one point on virtually everyone's list. According to Marilyn Barker of Wellington Reality, "Less of everything makes the house look bigger." Doug Andersen of ReQuest Real Estate Services suggested getting rid of all unessential furniture. Put it in storage. Don't, however, pile it all in one room or in the garage. "First impressions are important," he emphasized.

Also, take all the magnets and pictures of the grandkids off the fridge. Allow prospective buyers to see themselves in your soon-to-be-ex home.

Kareen Kinzli-Larsen with Kinzli Real Estate says you might also want to rearrange furniture so that the rooms look more open and inviting. "Don't inhibit a pathway into the house." She also suggested removing some books from packed shelves and adding a few tasteful nicknacks.

2. Clean, clean, clean

This theme, too, reached near mantra status among realtors. Some dirt and defects are nearly invisible if you have lived with them long enough. This may include your children's fingerprints or smudges on walls, traffic lines in the carpet or a dirt shadow at the foot of your favorite recliner.

"Spending a couple of hundred dollars and living with a little inconvenience for a day or two while you clean the carpets could make or break a deal," Andersen said.

Barker said if you decide that replacing the carpet is necessary, pick neutral colors. A new carpet impresses potential buyers with one thing less to do.

Kinzli-Larsen added, "Clean and organize everything," including drawers, cabinets, closets, pantries, light fixtures and water-spotted mirrors. And, yes, you should do windows.

3. Fix the little things

Replace broken cabinet or door handles, get some Spackle to fill nail holes and fix damaged walls. Oil squeaky doors, fix leaks in fixtures and even consider replacing a bad roof. Barker noted that an appraiser will certainly notice things like a bad roof. Paint touchups will also do wonders and, if you really hate that hot pink color your spouse picked for the family room, chances are other people will, too. Repaint with neutral colors.

4. Turn on the lights

Make sure they all work. Andersen explained that this way the real estate agent or client doesn't have to find light switches and it makes the room seem friendlier and larger.

5. Banish the pets

Kinzli-Larsen pointed out that cute pets, at best, may be distracting. At worst, homebuyers may wonder what "animal accidents" or damage they have perpetrated over the years. You may want to replace damaged upholstery or touch up scratch marks on furniture or windowsills.

6. Spruce up front door

Kinzli-Larsen said many buyers spend a large share of their time at the front door or in the entryway, either while waiting to get the door open or to clear a visit. Marilyn Pedri and Karen Worden with Caldwell Banker suggest investing in a polished brass kick plate, doorknob or doorknocker.

7. Buy welcome mat

Along that same vein, replace a worn doormat with a durable new one. Kinzli-Larsen added that planting a row of flowers along the entry walk can make a good first impression. "Subtle things can make a difference," she said.

8. Polish address plate

Pedri and Worden noted this will add a quality look and an added safety measure to the home, as it will help "neighbors, friends, potential buyers or even emergency workers find the home easily."

9. Photograph charms

Perhaps you have great landscaping, but are trying to sell mid-winter. Andersen said you may want to dig out some snapshots of the homestead and leave them out so that buyers can see the place in all its summer or autumnal glory.

10. Accentuate features

If bay windows and a great view of the mountains sold you on the home, it may impress the next owner as well. Leave the blinds open and the view unobstructed. If a large country kitchen wowed the missus, keep the kitchen uncluttered, tidy and clean.

One of the keys, Andersen said, is to "look at your house through fresh eyes." Pretend you are seeing it anew. What would appeal to you? What would be a turn-off? And remember that mom and your teachers provided advice you can bank on: "Be tidy. Neatness counts."