Goal/plan

**sommersa** · 11-17-2009, 01:31 PM

I have decided along with my sig. other, that in 3 to 4 years to sell my house and move. What are some things I can do in that time that are frugal to make my house more marketable? I have new appliances, a new bathrm on the basement level. I dont want to spend much. It is a 40,000 house.

**AnW819** · 11-17-2009, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by sommersa

I have decided along with my sig. other, that in 3 to 4 years to sell my house and move. What are some things I can do in that time that are frugal to make my house more marketable? I have new appliances, a new bathrm on the basement level. I dont want to spend much. It is a 40,000 house.

I am not sure what you can do, but I wanted to wish you good luck

**Greebo** · 11-17-2009, 01:35 PM

Dress up the curb appeal as much as possible. Go out and look at it and think, 'If I were seeing this for the first time, would I want to buy it based on it's appearance?'

Look for little defects in the house and address them - dinged walls, bad trim, etc.

For a $40k house, you don't want to spend a lot - people aren't going to expect a lot. Make it neat, clean and fresh looking and that'll make the single biggest impact you can hope for, IMO.

**AnW819** · 11-17-2009, 01:37 PM

My grandmom use to always say a fresh coat of paint goes a LONG way.

**lotsadebt** · 11-17-2009, 02:40 PM

De clutter.
Makes it seem bigger to buyers when everything is not stuffed to the gills. Including the walls ie. pictures covering the walls.
Minimal furniture in rooms too.
sell it on Craig's List or at a garage sale for $$$

**Russ** · 11-17-2009, 02:47 PM

Here ya go.

http://blog.homegain.com/home-improv...urvey-results/

**TigerGirl1226** · 11-17-2009, 03:03 PM

A big thing to me when I go to open houses (sorta a hobby for me and DH) is that the house needs to be clean. It shows better, it smells better, it just seems like a better house if it is clean and tidy.

**sommersa** · 11-17-2009, 05:56 PM

I have painted the walls. When it gets closer two rooms will second final coats as now I can see flaws and lighter spots I didnt before.

**Debbie-cat** · 11-17-2009, 07:28 PM

De-clutter as much as possible and have everything really clean. Coats of paint are a great idea that don't cost much. Curb appeal is also very important. Maybe get a friend to stop by and ask if he/she notices anything that you might not. Sometimes we see the little things for so long, we don't see them anymore but they stand out to other people.

Good luck!

**Kim_Mango** · 11-17-2009, 09:02 PM

When I sold my house, I did a lot of the suggestions posted here such as paint and declutter.

Additionally, my Realtor suggested removing all unnecessary items from countertops and bathroom counters. Well that meant getting my pantry and linen closet organized!

I spent the last year using up all the products that I completely forgot I had. I had so many opened shampoo and conditioning bottles, soaps, deodorants, etc. I made a vow not to buy any of these things unless I was absolutely sure I needed it and I didn't already have it.

I did the same with all my household cleaners. I organized the garage and found so much 'stuff'!

I decided to downsize and simplify my life so I was on a quest to use up everything I already had. Even if you're not moving anytime soon, it's a fun challenge to take on!

Best of luck to you!

**NikoSan999** · 11-17-2009, 09:08 PM

Curb appeal, declutter and paint. When we looked at the house we are living in I opened the cupboard door and a knickknack fell out and broke. People that are really interested will open closet doors and cupboards, pantrys, under sinks etc. While, me, it wouldn't bother to see "stuff" it would probably put off alot of people.

**Greebo** · 11-18-2009, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by sommersa

I have painted the walls. When it gets closer two rooms will second final coats as now I can see flaws and lighter spots I didnt before.

What kinds of flaws? If it's just light spots - thin paint - another coat will be fine.

However, if the area painted wasn't fully clean or wasn't primed, you will need to put primer on those spots before repainting.

**sommersa** · 11-18-2009, 10:45 AM

Oh just thin paint where i need to put another coat is all. The walls are textured so it takes a couple coats and I didnt have time or energy to put finishing touches on these two rooms. I thought Id do it when the time came closer to selling so the rooms would look fresh.