No home is perfect. As a homeowner, you know the list of projects always grows. When it comes time to sell your home, you should strategically select a few projects that will increase the value of your home and help you find a buyer. When deciding what to focus on, you should look at your house objectively. Pretend you’re a prospective buyer. To that end, here are five projects that will help.

 

Focus on Exterior Detail

This is often called curb appeal. How does your house look from the street? Are the bushes overgrown, the front walk cracked and the house’s exterior paint dirty, chipped or faded? If so, you need to address these concerns first. Trim back foliage from your home, keep the grass trimmed, pressure wash concrete surfaces and generally clean up the exterior of the home. If the exterior paint is chipping or faded, consider repainting it. This will ensure people notice your house from the street and encourage them to see what it’s like inside.

 

Get Your Own Home Inspection

The buyer will most likely have their own inspection done, but it’s always smart to do one before you decide to put your house on the market. An inspection early on in the selling process will alert you to any issues that could delay a sale. If you handle these things ahead of time, you’ll set yourself up for success. If you find issues with your home before potential buyers, you eliminate one of the bargaining chips the buyer has to use as leverage to lower the selling price.

 

Clean Floors and Beautiful Paint Goes a Long Way

Many homeowners find they can get away with hiring a professional cleaning company for floors. That said, be honest with yourself. If the floors are too worn or scarred, it’s the right time to pay to replace them. The same goes for paint on the walls. If it’s scuffed, scarred or faded, spring for some new paint. If you have rooms with outlandish colors, consider changing to a more neutral color. Beige, light gray, tans and off-whites look great in almost any home and are widely recommended when trying to sell.

 

Organize Storage Space

In many homes, the basement, garage and attic become the catchall for the things people don’t often use but can’t throw away. While it’s a common occurrence, buyers don’t want to see it. Before you list your home, do your best to organize these spaces and clear them of clutter. You don’t have to eliminate all of the stuff there, but you do need to make it look neat and tidy. Buy some shelving units, storage boxes, or some other kind of organizer that will help turn these spaces into a selling point for your home rather than an eyesore.

 

Prep Your Home for Buyers

This seems obvious, but many homeowners overlook it. You need to make your home a place potential buyers could see themselves living. It needs to be homey, but not alienate the buyer. This often means removing personal effects from immediate view, updating outdated decor, and improving the traffic flow of your home. You can hire a professional stager to come in and asses your home if needed. Your realtor should also be able to help you prepare your home for visiting potential buyers.