loose screws, bolts, or nuts on doorknobs, light switches, and cabinet hinges. Tack down any loose moldings. You might want to clean and replace the caulking in the house. If the steps, stairs, or banisters are loose, tighten them. Repair any water leaks and eliminate signs of water damage. You can paint over water stains or replace damaged wallpaper. Fix any doors or windows that do not open and close smoothly. Every potential buyer who tours your house is going to be looking for something a little bit different, but you can do a few things to help make your house as appealing as possible to everybody. Every home takes on the personality of the person who owns the house. This is going to happen normally. However, when you put a house up for sale, you need to eliminate as many personal items as you possibly can. Remove all family photos and other personal items that may be on the walls or counters, such as certificates, posters, or trophies. You want all potential buyers to see this house as their next home. If there are items from someone else’s personal life on display, this is difficult for buyers to do. Often, the exterior paint on an inherited home where someone has lived for many years may be in disrepair. Painting the outside of the house might be expensive, but it can be an excellent way to convince potential buyers to pick your house. Carefully calculate whether this is an investment that will provide adequate return (i.e., an increase in the listing or sale price). Work with your real estate agent to decide if investing $15,000 on an exterior paint job will either increase the potential value of the house by that amount, or cause it to sell quicker. It may be worthwhile to have this done in some circumstances, especially if the house is overdue for a paint job anyway. In inherited property
64
Powered by FlippingBook