DIY home improvements usually conjure up images of repairs on leaky roof and busted pipes. Most sellers understand that they have to embark in some major repair jobs to fix all the defects and damages in the house before it is offered up for sale.
Although this is part of the job of preparing the house for sale, we have to understand that the DIY improvement is composed of several levels of jobs required to "transform" the house into a full-fledged "For Sale" status.
Levels of Improvements For Home Selling
Restore the Neutral Personality of the House
You start out preparing the house for sale by de-personalizing all the corners, nooks and crannies. Buyers will want to picture themselves living in that house. The house should be devoid of any traces of the present occupant. What we want to have is to retain the personality and character of the house and not the person living inside the house. Family portraits, trophies and medals, personal belongings and other personal effects must be tucked away as this can affect the way potential buyers see the house. You can rent a storage area for all these items. You don't have to put them in the garage or in the basement.
Remove the clutter in the house
Remove all items that establish your attachment to the house. These are items and knick knacks that collect over time. Remove clutter in the basement, attics, closets, counter tops, garages and other parts of the house. Try to establish as much open space as possible as this is the main purpose of the entire job. An outsider's perspective is what you need, and a friend or your agent can help you out in sifting out the clutter inside the house.
Do the House Repair
You should remember that you don't have to do a major repair job. Remodeling is not part of the job as far as improvement of the house for sale is concerned. Prospective buyers don't have any idea on what to do when inspecting a house for sale so they usually just tinker things while inspecting the interior. These can be the switches, handles, door knobs, and they may even open all faucets and flush all toilets. It would be nice to restore the luster of all these fixtures and repair or replace those which are not working properly. The sink should not have any stains on it. Check for any leaking faucets and inspect if the cold and hot water knobs are working fine. If there are things that need a more thorough cleaning, then it might be advisable to hire a cleaning crew to do the job for you.
To Paint or not to Paint
Painting could be one of the most important jobs when selling your house. Painting can make the house look new and fresh, and these are the cosmetic jobs that are essential when selling. Check for any water stain or leak that may be due to faulty plumbing or roof. Make sure that all of these problems are fixed. You don't have to replace your carpet; a cleaning job done by a professional will suffice.
Doors and Windows
Check all windows and doors. Make sure that they open and close properly. Tighten all hinges, and if there is a need to replace some, do so. Check all knobs and make sure that they all work properly.
Curb Appeal
Once you are done with the interior, focus your attention on the exterior of the house. Most agents will emphasize the importance of improving the view of the house from the outside. This is what they refer to as curb appeal. This is particularly important as it is the first impression of prospective buyers of the house.
Find out more about Alaska Homes For Sale or feel free to search Anchorage AK Homes For Sale on Ryan Tollefsen's Alaska Real Estate web site.
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