5 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Appearance Before You Sell

Putting your home on the market is a major decision. Maybe you’ve outgrown the space thanks to a growing family, have equity, or would even like to downsize. Whatever the reason you’ve chosen to sell, getting your home ready for open house is exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. You want to make a terrific first impression for any potential buyers. 

Luckily, there are some ways to touch up or even renovate a home that will boost its selling power. This is known as your home’s curb appeal. You real estate agent can let you know what’s helped other homes in your neighborhood sell well, but there are also some things that you can do right now to maximize your home’s curb appeal. 

Turn Your Home Into a Neutral Environment for Buyers

You’ve made so many memories in your home that it can be difficult to think about turning the place into a neutral zone for potential buyers, but that’s the best way to ensure a quick sale. Removing personal photographs from the walls or funny magnets from the refrigerator, for instance, lets future homeowners more easily see themselves in the space. This same philosophy goes for paint colors and decorations. Consider painting over bold colors with taupe, gray, or a light blue. Neutral colors also have a tendency to give the illusion of more space. 

The more neutral your selections, the more that homeowners will start picturing their own memories in the home. 

Clean Inside and Out

The importance of having a neat and tidy home for buyers cannot be overstated. Start by looking critically at your home from the outside and taking note of what steps need to be taken to present your house at its best. Power washing, window polishing, yard care, and landscaping are essential to a solid presentation. If you notice any needed repairs, schedule a time to correct them or arrange to complete them yourself, if possible. You may even need to touch up outdoor paint. Don’t forget to clean any outdoor furniture. If you have a budget for it, you might also consider enhancing your outdoor space by purchasing new items, like a porch swing, for your home.

Once you’re confident in the outdoor presentation of your house, the deep cleaning inside of the home can begin. It’s important to note that the smell of a home is often a big deal for buyers. Thoroughly cleaning your house, getting every nook and cranny, will minimize the potential for any unpleasant odors. 

Just like outdoors, you’ll want to check the inside of your home for anything that could leave a negative impression. Scuff marks on baseboards, dirty grout, chipped paint, or broken tile should all be touched up before visitors arrive. Make sure that your lighting, too, is inviting and really opens up your house. 

Declutter Your Spaces

A cluttered space gives the impression that the house is too small. You want homebuyers to feel like the home is large enough for their needs. Put away the coats and shoes that gather in entry ways. Clear hallways, front porches, and other spots in your house that are prone to clutter. Contain items neatly in bins and organized closets, so that buyers will be able to clearly see the available space in the home. When it comes to decluttering, think minimalism. Bulky furniture, overflowing mail, or an abundance of knick knacks can all make a house feel too personal and too cramped for a buyer to maintain interest. 

Include Plants in Your Home

Having fresh flowers on the coffee table or a small garden outside will really bring your house to life. Plants elevate a home and are a sophisticated way to welcome potential buyers into the space. They’re also another way to make the rooms in your house appear larger. Of course, try to choose plants that aren’t strongly associated with allergies or overly strong in scent. 

Don’t Plan on Selling Right Away? Consider Renovations 

If selling your home is something on your mind, but not necessarily on paper, you might consider boosting your home’s resale value with upgrades. Building a deck, replacing carpet with hardwood floors, and installing energy-efficient, hardwood plantation shutters are all ways to boost your home’s resale value. Of course, any non-luxury repairs, like a leaking roof or a non-working shower, should be repaired before your home is put on the market. 

Plantation Shutters In Virginia, Maryland, and D.C

Shenandoah Shutters provides custom made, all wood plantation shutters for our service areas in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. We handcraft our plantation shutters in Richmond using fine American woods and a silken lacquer finish that results in a beautiful, stylish window treatment for your home. We’re proud to offer a 100-year warranty on our plantation shutters and a 25-year warranty on the finish. 

Plantation shutters are one of the few window treatments that add value to your home. These shutters allow you to control the sunlight that filters in and out of each room, creating an inviting ambiance that future homebuyers will love. They are also energy-efficient and offer an added layer of privacy for the home. Plantation shutters are safer for families with children than blinds or other window treatments that have dangling cords. Plus, they’re easy to clean and pair perfectly with your fine, wooden furniture. 

Plantation shutters are timeless window treatments that never go out of style. That’s why we offer both traditional and modern designs. In fact, we even created our own, patented Softedge design for a modern enhancement on this time honored window treatment. 

Contact Shenandoah Shutters to schedule a free, in-home design estimate and consultation for your home. You can also visit us face-to-face at our Richmond showroom and woodshop, where we’ll take you on a tour of our products and share more about our process. Take a closer look at our products and get to know us online today.