7 Tips to Spruce Up Your House To Sell Quickly
I have watched first hand as Buyers find a great house that is in generally good shape, and literally talk themselves out of the sale after they notice one rickety gate, which snowballs into a nitpicky list of tiny fixes the seller had left undone. Whether you are planning on selling your house tomorrow or next year, here is a short list of maintenance items you should put on your spring to-do list.
1. Banish chips, scuffs, and scratches by adding a fresh coat of paint
This is one of the most inexpensive things you can do to spruce up your house, as these tiny blemishes create a shabby appearance on a home that may be in otherwise good shape, causing the buyer to think the home has been neglected.
2. Brighten and polish all trims
If you put two identical homes together and one has all the tricked out trims, including exterior shutters, eves, door knockers, kick plates and other exterior hardware, people will automatically rate the house with the beautiful trims much higher on a pride-of-ownership scale than the other. If you can add attractive trims or freshen up the ones you have, you can improve the perceived value of the home.
3. Noisy or broken HVAC systems
Maintaining your air conditioning and heating system is not that expensive, but buyers think it is. In fact, your furnace and AC systems are the types of household machinery that intimidate fist-time buyers. If you hold an open house in the winter and the heating system doesn’t work or the air conditioning system isn’t working in the middle of summer when it’s hot outside, the buyers might perceive that it is a more serious red flag than it really is. On the other hand, letting buyers know that your heating and air conditioning system have been upgraded or maintained allows buyers to breathe a sigh of relief knowing they won’t have to spring money on short term repair bills.
4. Mend your fences, gates, and screens
These items may not jump out at us in our own home, and it’s easy to rationalize your way out of dealing with them. However, screens with holes in them and gates which won’t budge or hang properly are some of the key things that catch buyers’ attention and make them want to look and see if there are additional flaws. Additionally, anything to do with fences can cause buyers to envision possible future neighbor disputes over bills.
5. Doors, cupboards, and drawers
One creaky door doesn’t usually kill a sale, but keep in mind that in some homes, these are the only functioning systems that house-hunting visitors will almost certainly use doing the course of a viewing. Make sure the entryway, interior closets, and cupboards are in good cosmetic shape and that they work well and don’t stick easily. It’s not that the buyers will get excited if they work smoothly, it’s just more of a concern when they don’t work properly.
6. Have everything cleaned and washed
Even the most immaculate of housekeepers can realize the massive refresh to the look, feel, and smell of their homes after it has been professionally cleaned. Springtime is a great time to have your driveways power-washed, to clean your windows and screens, as well as to have your carpets, rugs and window coverings cleaned. If you are on a tight budget, you might find vendors that have spring cleaning deals that offer many services for a package price.
7. Shred it!
If you have clutter from boxes and old file cabinets full of paperwork, it might be a good time to go through your items and shred the things you don’t absolutely need. Think of it this way, you will have to do it anyway when you move out, so you may as well take care of it now to reduce the clutter around your home and open up more visual space.
These are just a few tips; if you want to learn more, contact me at rsmith@fhallen.com or give me a call at 415-755-8919, and I’ll be happy to help!
Posted by:
Rick Smith

Peter Schardt
Marin has so many unique neighborhoods, yet many times I meet new Marin buyers who have not been clued in about some of Marin’s very special enclaves. Kentfield Gardens is one such neighborhood. This area is home to approximately 150 homes, primarily built in the 50s and 60s. The neighborhood is flat and is within walking distance to parks, bike paths and award-winning Bacich Elementary. Many homes back up to open space, offering lovely views and privacy..jpg)
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A new listing at 7 Berens Drive is one that exemplifies Kentfield Gardens living. This home is situated on a level lot and has a wall of French doors that truly offers indoor/outdoor living. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home has also been tastefully updated with newer hardwood floors, remodeled bathrooms, stainless appliances and concrete countertops in the kitchen, allowing one to move right in and enjoy the Marin Lifestyle.
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