It is only natural towant the highest profit for the real estate you own . Is there anyway to improve your chances without investing a lot more money? Yes, there is.
Even a person basically skilled in carpentry, plumbing, and other traditional trades can make improvements to the saleability of a property with only modest effort and a few common tools.
When a potential buyer first views your house they will notice if your property is in the same general condition as those around it. Encourage your neighbors to clear away children's toys, junk cars, or other unsightly objects before buyers come looking.
Offer to mow the lawns of those to the left and right, or take their trash to the dump as an incentive. It may sound like an unnecessary pain, but the alternative might be a much lower price offered on your property.
Show them you are getting your house / property in order. Mow the lawn carefully and repair any bare spots. Trim the edges. Also, you might want to invest in a few dozen inexpensive flowers and plants if the season permits it. The exterior is always what is seen first and first impressions do linger!
Since a home inspection will almost always be done prior to a deal being struck, take the opportunity to make those inexpensive plumbing repairs BEFORE showing the house. Some of the more expensive ones might wait, to be used as a bargaining chip. But fix that leaky sprinkler head that sprays the sidewalk and replace that dripping bathroom faucet.
Replacing the carpeting throughout an entire house (or even one room!) can be very expensive. Fortunatly, having it cleaned typically costs relatively little. Repair any small damage or try to cover it with a piece of furniture. Eventually, you will have to show every flaw when you have a concrete deal. But it need not be the first thing they see. Replace those old welcome mats and small entrance rugs with new ones.
New screens are low priced and can make the exterior look fresh and new. To save even more, you can remake the screens with mesh and rubber kits, provided the frames are still in good shape.
Replace any cracked or broken windows. You will usually have to do this anyway as part of closing the deal. Of course, all the windows should be cleaned thoroughly to give that shiny new feel. Even a brand new house that is dirty will fetch a lower price.
If you have air conditioning and heating ducts, replacing defective or worn conduits can get very costly. But many parts in a house that are not seen use silvered duct tape anyway, so patch any holes carefully to give a professional look. Replace old filters to give the appliances a newer look and the air a fresher smell.
A bit of spackle and a coat of paint on those rooms that have seen accidents needn't cost a lot and don't take a lot of effort. Be sure the work is done carefully though or it can come out looking worse than before you started.
A buyer that sees that you have made efforts to keep the property up will be more inclined to offer a better price. Think of the last time you bought a car. Didn't you favor the one that was well maintained? You were probably willing to pay a little extra to get that one. They will be too.
