more attractive to prospective buyers can be easier and less expensive than many realize—if you heed these eight suggestions from the real estate listings experts at Trulia: 1. Look to your landscaping. Just a few hundred dollars on grass seed or replacement sod, new flowers, bushes or trees, a weekend and little effort can improve a house’s curb appeal. 2. Help your homeclean up nicely. Give the exterior a thor- Little things can mean a lot when it comes to selling your home and getting a greatpriceforit. rent a storage unit, or start making trips to the landfill to whittle down ough scrubdown,including screens, windows and gutters. Pressure wash the walks and driveway. Inside, steam clean the carpets, wash or wax laminate, hardwood or linoleum, and clean the grout on tile walls andfloors. your home’s contents. 6. Fix the small things. Re- two items that buyers’ eyes are few, especially if they look dated. 3. Give the trim a treat. Paint just the trim and front door, naturally drawn to when driving by yourplaces. 4,Change the caulk around the plumbing fixtures. Over time, caulk, the silicone that protects surfaces from water seepage, can discolor, tear or degrade. Stripping this material out and replacing it with a fresh bead of silicone can improve both bathroomsand kitchens. 5. Be clever: declutter. A house full of furniture, clothing, collec- tions, exercise equipment and mem- orabilia can look much smaller than its actual size. Have a garage sale, place burnt-out lightbulbs, fix holes in doors or walls, grease squeaky cabinets or doors, fix leaks and changetheairfilters. 7. Update lighting fixtures. It’s a bright idea that doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Just change a See if the exterior garagelights, bathroom lights or bedroom lights in particular are good candidates for a change. 8.Refresh your kitchen and bath. Consumer Reports esti- mates you can increase your home’s value by as much as 7 per- cent by renovating these rooms. Choose a neutral palette to increase the appeal to as many tastes as possible. Learn More For further facts and tips on selling your house, visit www.tru lia.com.
