February 21, 2010

There are several ways you can spruce up your home to sell or to even stay and make it new and fresh.  I think some of these suggestions may seem like common sense but you would be so surprised how many of my clients sell because they take my suggestions seriously and change bulbs or buy fresh flowers and fix a hole in the drywall.  I wrote in a past blog entry last October but did not go into this detail.  From recent experience, since we are staying in our home for the time being and not moving I have done most of all of the below to give my family a fresh, new feel since it has been 5-6 years since we did renovations and updates. 

FLOWERS-Try adding some inexpenisive fresh flowers like roses or lilies that smell great or hydrangeas Star of Bethlehem flower and which when bunched make any room sophisticated and chic instantly!  Fresh Market believe it or not is not costly in comparison and the flowers are always fresh.  You can get a dozen roses at times for $6.99.  Of course, there are always the side street vendors who carry most kinds and are inexpensive as well.  Some faux orchid plants are actually really pretty but for the most part fresh are best.  Add color flowering plants to the outside in a planter to make the home welcoming for visitors. 

WALLPAPER and/or PAINT-Painting immediately makes a room fresh and bright and clean!  Transform a bathroom or bedroom or hallway or even a kitchen with YES wallpaper.  It can be expensive but you don’t have to buy grade F which may cost $100s of dollars a roll.  You can find really chic and classic grassclothes for $25 a roll.  I just bought some at Sunny South Paint, 3202 Coral Way, Coral Gables. 305-445-9959 -most of time you can get 30% off retail price if you ask.  If you are selling just stay neutral with colors so it appeals to the masses or else there is no point.  Cover/plaster any large holes in the drywall. 

LIGHTING-Get rid of flourescent bulbs anywhere and if a room shows dark change the bulb so it is a higher voltage. Install dimmers and three way switches. If you have an old dusty fixture get a new, fresh mod one at Home Depot or Restoration Hardware.  Same thing goes depending on your taste and how much you want to spend for bathroom and kitchen hardware.  Sink/shower faucets, towel bar holders and toilet paper holders may be from 1981 and not anyone’s favorite any more.  So change them out -again Home Depot, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Ace Hardware and if you want to spend more and have instant name recognition Waterworks.  Keep in mind Restoration has similar looks for a lot less money.

Add SISAL rugs-Cover ugly old tile floors with SISAL.  Feels great on the feet, adds a layer of natural modness and most importantly hides the ugly tile you were too lazy to change out!  Carpet Boutique ( www.carpetboutiquemiami.com 4103 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables – (305) 445-1939) will customize any size and are reasonable.  Try finding rugs inexpensive at Homegoods stores or even Marshalls which have tons of home items at great discounted prices.

PILLOWS-Makes any plain piece of furniture have some flair and style.  You can get them custom made for less sometimes than what you can buy them for!

CLEAN-Air ducts especially in Miami get super dirty since we have to run the AC almost 99% of time.  Change Air filters regularly, have the coils on the AC professional cleaned at least once a year-don’t get to the inspection point and have to risk the inspector pointing out to the buyer that the AC has not been cleaned in years.  So easy to maintain your AC.  Clean the vent-get rid of the dust and any moisture that has accumulated.  Clean your house in general!  Sounds like common sense but I guess it is really not.  Get rid of dirty dog toys, smell and kitty liter too! 

APPLIANCES-Maybe not the cheapest thing to change but if you have a stove or dishwasher from 1980-buy a new one.  If you put your $600,000 home on the market spending $500 on a stove or dishwasher is nominal compared to the profit of course depending what you paid for the property and when you purchased the property. 

Get inspired to freshen up your home and come back to read more suggestions, receive Miami market updates and other juicy real estate tid bits.  Find me at jill@jillpenman.com and 305-807-9199.