Many of us wonder what we need to fix up, upgrade or renovate in order to sell our homes. Although the answer to this is far different for each situation, there are a few things that most homeowners should consider before listing their home on the market.

Don’t expect to sell your home in an “as-is” condition in a buyer’s market; there are simply too many homes on the market and too much competition. Most buyers today want a move-in ready home, complete with upgrades.

So, where do you go from here? Work with your real estate agent to consider the home’s market value now, versus its market value should you perform improvements and repairs. Then, consider your neighborhood, region and the improvements that will result in the best return on your investment.

For example, an entire kitchen remodel for a small ranch probably won’t offer you a nice return on your investment, but updated kitchen countertops and new kitchen appliances certainly will. In the end, it’s all about understanding your buyers’ wants and needs, your home’s market value and the neighborhood in which your Turtle Creek home is located.

There are, however, a few home improvements that you can’t go wrong taking care of before you list your home for sale:

• Patch all holes and cracks in the walls and ceilings and cover all rooms in a fresh coat of paint.
• Re-paint all walls with a fresh, neutral color. In other words, get rid of any loud or boldly colored walls, and remove any signs of wallpaper and other wall coverings. Avoid white paint, though, as it often gives the feeling of a sterile, stark environment.
• Perform repairs to any broken toilets, leaky faucets or non-functioning light fixtures.
• Replace any worn flooring, including carpeting and tile. New, inexpensive carpeting can instantly give any room a facelift; likewise, an old, worn carpet can turn buyers off from the start.
• Replace any old, outdated window coverings, such as blinds and curtains. Fresh window coverings instantly freshen up a room and make it feel updated.
• Repair any cracks or uneven surfaces on your driveway, walkway or front steps.
• Repair or replace any broken windows or doors.

There are loads of things that need to be done when you’re selling your home. And sprucing it up should be on the top of the list.

But what should you tackle yourself and what should you leave to the professionals? A good rule of thumb is to call in the help of a professional when dealing with gas, electricity and plumbing. Otherwise, rolling up your sleeves and tackling a few of those neglected household projects can help draw attention to your home and get it sold.

Great Weekend Projects

1. Sand and stain the deck – A weathered, faded deck sticks out like a sore thumb. On the other hand, a freshly stained, clean deck can go a long way at sprucing up your outdoor living space.

2. Repaint the trim and shutters – Curb appeal is a huge selling point for any home. After all, making a great, first impression goes a long way toward a quick sale. A fresh coat of paint on your home’s trim, gutters and front door is a great way of sprucing up your home’s exterior.

3. Weed and landscape the front yard – Again, great curb appeal can not be stressed enough. Get your hands dirty and clear the flower and plant beds of weeds and mulch them to add the finishing touch.

4. Paint the interior – A fresh coat of warm, neutral paint on your home’s interior walls can instantly transform the rooms of your home. Choose a calm, warm color that will appeal to a variety of buyers.

5. Scrub down the kitchen appliances – Sparkling clean kitchen appliances can take a dull, dingy kitchen and give it an instant face lift. Scrubbing down your kitchen appliances – inside and out – is also essential if the appliances are staying with the home.

6. Steam clean the carpets – Stained carpets are a great way to lose potential buyers. Rent a steam cleaner and spend the weekend getting your carpets in tip-top shape.

7. Have a garage sale! – Is there any better way to spend your weekend than making money? A garage sale can help you rid your Irving home of unwanted junk that is cluttering up your home and distracting buyers from your home’s selling points. Plus, it can help you earn some cold, hard cash to cover your moving expenses!