7 Tips to Help Sell Your House Faster and For More Money!!

Is it time to upsize or downsize your current home? Are you thinking about selling your house, “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO – pronounced fizzbo) and need some quick pointers, or maybe you’re not ready to talk to a real estate professional but want to get a jump on getting your house ready for the market?

We highlight 7 tips to help get your house SOLD FAST and for TOP DOLLAR!

Vacant living room with dark hardwood floors and large windows overlooking leafy trees.

FLOORS – carpet in the main living & traffic areas is OUT! Carpet in bedrooms is still ok (but make sure that it’s in good shape and professionally cleaned before listing). Recommend installing a vinyl plank or laminate flooring to get TOP DOLLAR for your home!

PRO TIP: Install the planks to run with the length of the room. It helps draw the eye to the back of the room

Empty bright room with pale wood floors, tall black-framed windows, and a starburst ceiling light.

Open-plan living room with white sofas, a stone fireplace wall, and a kitchen behind.

WALLS – while you may have loved your red accent wall, your kids blue and pink rooms…real talk: not everyone is going to like your taste. Paint your walls back to a neutral color before listing; either a beige or gray. New paint helps brighten up the rooms and gives it that fresh feel!

Staged bedroom with a black metal bed, red accent wall, and wicker chairs.

Bright bedroom with a wooden bed, colorful bedding, and giraffe-head wall decorations.

Bedroom with a white metal bed, pink floral bedding, stuffed animals, and a bright pink accent wall.

PRO TIP: The 2 gray colors that are in right now are – Sherwin Williams – Agreeable Gray and Repose Gray. Also, paint your base boards, door trim and doors with a fresh coat of white paint. You’ll be amazed at how much that changes the feel of the rooms.

Kitchen with light wood cabinets, a white stove, and a refrigerator covered in magnets.

KITCHENS – the heart of the home! Buyers are looking for open concept, clean feel, updated appliances, & updated countertops. White kitchens are in!! White cabinets, quartz or granite countertops with specks of gray, with new stainless-steel appliances.

Bright white kitchen with a large island, stainless steel appliances, and pendant lights.

If you can only afford to make one upgrade to your kitchen – update your countertops (especially, if you have old fashioned laminate countertops). Consider installing a solid surface countertop, granite, or quartz. If you can afford 2 upgrades – buy an updated appliance package. White and black appliances are out!

Kitchen with a white farmhouse sink, spring-neck faucet, marble counters, and warm wood cabinets.

PRO TIP: Make sure all of your appliances are clean (stove tops, ovens, and fridge). Buyers are looking at these things. Also, make sure you declutter as much as possible in the pantry and countertops. Put away dirty dishes.

BATHROOMS – If possible, update your vanities! Replace laminate with solid surface, granite or quartz countertops. Make sure all of your wet areas are caulked. Common areas – toilet base, shower/tub, and the vanity’s backsplash.

PRO TIP: DIY the caulk job yourself, takes 15 mins or so, costs less than $10. YouTube some tutorials and make it happen!

Bright bathroom with a white vanity, large mirror, subway tile, and hanging plants.

Bright bathroom with a white double-sink vanity, marble countertop, twin mirrors, and flowers beside a window.

Two small dogs sitting together on a black script-patterned armchair.

PET ODORS – very sensitive subject for us pet lovers! No one wants to be told that their pet is stinking up the house! But sometimes we just need to hear the truth! If you have a bigger dog or multiple dogs, chances are that your house will have a slight pet odor. Invite a friend over or a neighbor and have them give you their honest opinion.

PRO TIP: Sources of pet odors – your pets favorite lounge spot, the carpet, or the couch.

Cluttered bedroom with a woman reclining in a pink chair and talking on her phone.

CLEAN & FIX THE LITTLE THINGS – Scrub, scour, tidy up, straighten, get rid of the clutter, declare war on dust, repair squeaks, the light switch that doesn’t work, and the tiny crack in the bathroom mirror because these can be deal-killers and you’ll never know what turns buyers off. Remember, you’re not just competing with other resales homes, but brand-new ones as well!

PRO TIP: Tidiness level – Imagine a family friend is coming to stay with you for a while and you want to make them feel as comfortable as possible!

And finally…

Two-story brick house with glowing windows, white entry, landscaped lawn, and flowering shrubs at dusk.

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY – we can’t stress this enough!! Do not take pictures with your phone, or a simple point and shoot. Invest the small amount of money and have a professional showcase your home the way it DESERVES to be!

PRO TIP: Declutter as much as possible for photo day! Less is more! If you can get a bowl of fresh lemons for your kitchen table, do it – they bring so much life to a space!