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From Outdated House to Outstanding

Picture of an outdated kitchen

So you’re selling your outdated house? Where do you start? Do you list it right away without repairs, knowing you’re compromising the ability to acquire your desired sale price? Do you update everything with top-of-the-line fixtures and appliances, spending a pretty penny now, with fingers crossed that you’ll make that dough back once the home sells?

One things for certain – you don’t want interested home buyers to feel like they’ve stepped into a time machine when they cross the threshold. There are a number of ways to make sure your home looks fresh and up to date. Here are five of our favorite easy updates:

Outdated Fixtures

From doorknobs, to light fixtures, to ceiling fans, a home’s fixtures are like its jewelry. If your home’s accouterments are stuck in the 80’s (does anyone remember the Swatch watch?), it’s time to do some work.

If you think about it, something as simple as new cabinet hardware (hinges, knobs, etc.) won’t set you back much, but the impact on your home’s overall appearance will be huge. Here’s a short list of items to keep in mind:

  • Doorknobs
  • Light fixtures
  • Ceiling fans
  • Cabinet hardware
  • Faucets

Pro TipIf you’re a home seller on a budget but in need of new cabinets, try painting them instead of replacing them!

Outdated Appliances 

Would YOU want to buy a home with a dirty ivory-colored refrigerator that’s constantly buzzing? What about a stovetop that’s stained from years of dinner bubbling over?

One of the most important updates you can give your home is a new(er) appliance package. Opt for black over white, and stainless above all. Give your kitchen a cohesive look by making sure every appliance matches. Save the mixing and matching for the throw pillows!

Trust us on this one. Although new appliances can carry a hefty price tag, there are plenty of cash-saving options out there. Outdated appliances can and WILL turn buyers off, and get in your way of receiving the highest possible price for your home.

When pondering an updated appliance package, consider the following:

  • Stovetop
  • Oven
  • Range hood
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Wine refrigerator

Outdated Walls

Step one: drop your defenses. Obviously you handpicked those wall colors, and the hues and shades create the perfect atmosphere…for you. But what are the odds that those exact colors are ideal for the next person who walks through your door, and the next? And the next?

Simply put, wall colors are extremely personalized, and the wilder the hues, the more likely the job of changing them will just fall onto the potential buyer’s to-do list. Do yourself and the home shoppers a favor and throw a few coats of paint on those walls. A neutral palette is best. This gives interested buyers a blank canvas to begin with, and also brightens up every space (which is especially helpful if you’re dealing with tight quarters).

Paint is important, but not the only topic to hit on regarding outdated walls. Let’s not forget about the granddaddy of antiquated home details – wallpaper. Sure, it’s making a comeback, but that’s only particular kinds and particular styles, not the textured ducks in flight that are currently plastered on the walls of studies across the state. Wallpaper isn’t just another item for homebuyers to tick off of their chore lists, it can be incredibly difficult to remove, making it a serious undertaking…and a potential deterrent for the sale of your home.

SUPER Outdated Items

At Core Properties we see all kinds of homes in all kinds of conditions – including embellishments that fell out of style 30 or 40 years ago. Do you remember that shag carpet from the 70’s? What about the popcorn ceilings from the 70’s? If you’re trying to sell a home that has either of these archaic features, it’s time to reevaluate your selling tactic.

Understandably, the potential size of these projects may have you hesitant to take action. Carpet removal and ceiling work can (and in a lot of cases SHOULD) require a professional. You could be looking at years of grime and build up, aggressive mold, and even asbestos once you start tearing into these remnants, but if you’re looking to sell your home fast, they’ve got to go.

Curb Appeal

You’ve heard of the term “Love at first sight”. Now let’s apply that to selling your home. Seeing a house from the street for the very first time, is like meeting a person for the first time. Appearance is HUGE, and if a shopper doesn’t like what they see from their car window, they’ll just drive on by.

Every little detail counts. Mulch those flower beds! Trim those trees! Power wash that siding! You don’t want someone with a serious interest in your home to get attacked by mud daubers on your porch, or to get a little surprise from a mother swallow for getting too close to her nest…which is nestled above your front door.

The Upper Hand When Selling Your House

The five tips above won’t guarantee a quick home sale, but they will certainly help acquire some interested leads. Lots of other complications can pop up when selling an outdated home, a rental property, or an inherited property. If you’re tired of trying to handle all of the nonsense alone, give Core Properties a call at (314) 485-7311, or visit our Sell Outdated House page to learn more about how our trusted team of real estate experts can help make the process as easy as possible.

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