(WXYZ) — Spring is here and that means you may be thinking about listing your home for sale.
So what do you do on the outside of your home? What do you do on the inside of your home?
So many questions, and 7 Action News is getting answers from real estate broker Marybeth Kaljian of Keller Williams-Plymouth about the easy, low cost ways to squeeze yourself more bucks on the sale.
First up --- she says you've got to declutter! Oprah made the phrase, "Declutter Your Life" famous, and it turns out, it rings true for a home before it goes to sale.
The top things to clear out include family photos, tabletop decor and excess furniture.
"It makes a big difference as far as a buyer being able to envision themselves living in the space and picturing their own stuff in here," she said.
As for repairs? You don’t have to focus on everything, but plastering old walls and then painting them will get you a good return on your investment.
But even if you’re feeling spunky, make sure to keep the walls neutral.
"Sometimes people look to put their own personal flair and your flair is likely not going to be the same as the buyer," said Kaljian.
And while you’re sprucing up the inside, don’t neglect the outside.
"There are buyers that will pull up, make a judgment on the curb appeal and not even go into the property," said Kaljian.
Let’s face it, first impressions really stick. So boost your home’s appraisal value, with low cost investments in landscaping.
"Doing a clean edge here, cleaning out the debris and the leaves...you’re gonna have instant impact," she said.
Clean it out and replace it, she says, with mulch. It’s low cost and can really up the look.
But there are some things you don’t need to waste your time or money upgrading, especially on a time crunch.
"No one thinks about the fact that they’re putting money in and they’re not going to get that money back," said Kaljian.
That includes your kitchen and bathrooms, windows, and furnace, assuming they're already in good working order.
And if you’re still in doubt? The best thing to do is make sure to bring in a professional, a realtor who can give you an expert opinion on what to do. It’s free and it could bring you in thousands of dollars more.
