Quick Home Updates Requiring Little Time

If you are getting ready to sell your home or even if it's on the market, there are some quick updates you can do that will take little time and expense.  These easy updates might just catch the eye of that home buyer.  As you walk around your house and yard, try to take a step back and look for broken, drab or outdated things that can require a quick fix.

Inside and outside your home, these quick and easy fix ups are worth the time:

• Nicks in the pain or gouges can require just a quick touch up without paining the entire room.  Of course, painting a room will give it new light but if you don't have the time or funds, touching up is a quick alternative.  This holds true for walls, doors, base boards, windows and wall marks.
• Sometimes the cabinet hardware is outdated or loses it's luster.  New pulls and knobs really can change a drab kitchen or bathroom with little time.  Check out your local hardware store or online for some great choice.  If you are concerned about trends, search first for trendy kitchen/bathroom hardware.
• Light and power plates can really reveal the age of your house.  Consider switching up to nicer ones or ones that will match your decor.  Again, not a huge time task but it can pay off.
• Not only can updating the bathroom hardware make a difference but a new toilet seat can make a difference.  The toilet is a particular item with some folks and you don't want to have a cracked or discolored seat so investing in a new seat might help make a difference.
• Lighting is also a step in doing something simple in updating the appearance.  You want to make sure you have the right sized bulbs and the same bulbs if in an area that has multiple lighting.  A room looks best when well lit and having nice looking bulbs such as in the bathroom vanity, can increase eye appeal.
• Declutter both the inside and the outside.  People want to see a home that is roomy and will contain all their belongings.  Seeing a home that is piled high with stuff in every room is a turn off.  On the same note, having a yard full of equipment, toys, trash, etc is equally unappealing.  Taking the time to tidy and declutter can go a long way.
• Is your mailbox old, worn or beat up?  Time to put your curb appeal eye on as curb appeal does matter.  From the yard, to the exterior to the house to even the mailbox.  You want an inviting home and when the detail is there, it will show via the curb.
• This holds true to the numbers on your house.  You want clear, easy to see nice home numbers.  If they are faded, consider replacing them.

These are just some easy steps that you can take in increasing your home's appeal when selling it.  It doesn't require a lot of time or investment and it might make the difference in a sell versus no interest.

Interested in buying or selling a home in El Paso, check out www.searchelpasohomes.com.

Staging a Home: 10 Quick Things to do Prior to a Showing

The house has been updated, renovated and perhaps redecorated and is now on the market to sell. The most unnerving point in the process just might be the showing. Sometimes you get 24 hour notice and often times you don't. Do you turn away that prospective home buyer because your house is in disarray or do you stay prepared? One of the rules of thumbs when placing your home on the market is to minimize and de-clutter. The more you space you have, the easier it will be to keep the house tidy for showings. If you have storage, it's best to put away the non-essentials. The less you have, the easier it will be keep the house in show state.Here are some additional tips on what you can do when the showing is an hour away:

• Turn on all the lights and open all blinds/curtains to show a bright home.
• Vacuum and sweep the floors. Nothing puts off a home buyer more than a messy home.
• Put away any toys to include pet toys and beds.
• Make sure all surfaces are dust free.
• If the weather permits, open the windows to let some fresh air in. Some buyers like the idea of being able to open windows.
• If possible, take pets with you if they are indoor ones. If not possible, contain them in a place in the house and leave a note for the agent.
• Comfort treat the house by adjusting the temperature according to the weather. You don't want it too hot or too cold.
• Try not to cook anything unless it's deserts! Unpleasant odors can linger and can be a real turn off. One trick is to bake cookies or simmer some cinnamon on the stove to give that pleasant aroma.
• Tidy the bathrooms as everyone tests the water pressure and the toilets.
• Don't forget to lock up any valuables. Remember, we're not stating people will steal but it's best to eliminate the opportunity.

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Help Sell Your House Quicker

Photo Courtesy of HGTV.com

One of the biggest steps one can take to help sell their house faster is to prep and stage it appropriately.  This is a key element that many mistake as not being so important.  Although staging and prepping a house can add expense to the already expensive task of listing a house, it might well be worth the money.  It's really not very difficult nor time consuming to put it in motion.  Think back to when you were looking at apartments and homes.  The ones that were spacious and decorated nice were probably the one's that drew you in.  Your house is no different so just taking a step back and remembering how you felt when you saw the place of your dreams could help your chances in selling your own home.

For tips on prepping your house, check out this article at About.com.

Staging a Home

I was in the store the other day when I was approached by a woman asking my opinion on a home interior product she was wanting to purchase.  She explained how she was staging her house in hopes for a quick sale which reminded me of myself not too long ago when it was time to sell our house.  The first thing I think of how when how to make your home look marketable is remembering how you felt if you ever looked at model homes or apartments and how they had them set up.  Staging a home really can make or break a sale.  We were recently looking at home rentals and crossed many off our consideration list because they were dirty and cluttered.  It's hard to imagine yourself or your belongings in a house that looks like there isn't enough room for the current occupants.  

Here are some quick tips:

• A clean home for the prospective buyer means the most.  No one wants to see a dirty home so make sure it's sparkling.
• Fix simple eye sores even if you don't have a lot of cash to spend.  A dripping faucet, a broken tile or a non-working light might be enough to make the prospective buyers wondering what else is wrong.
• Eliminate clutter by at least 50%.  Renting a small storage unit is the quickest way to remove the non-essentials.  You want the prospective buyers to see there is ample room for their belongings.
• Neutralize colors if you have painted bright, loud colors.  It's easier for a prospective buyer to see their belongings in something neutral since their goods will fit in to the current surroundings.
• Curb appeal is essential to any new buyer.  They don't want to see overgrown flower plats or patches of dead grass.  Adding some flowers by the mail box, by the door and painting the front door can go a long way.
• The kitchen is the big selling point so make sure you de-clutter the counters, the fridge and anything else that is a non-essential.  Store items you do not need and make sure cabinets and pantries are neat and clean.  Prospective buyers want to see kitchens that are clean and spacious.

There are many things you can do within budget to make your house more aesthetically pleasing to prospective buyers.  If you are unsure, check out a local model home showing to get new ideas.  



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