No matter how well-maintained, your home probably needs some upgrades in order to satisfy the tastes of picky buyers. Whether it’s a 1970s kitchen, that lime green accent wall, or the bathroom with the ugly tile, there are home projects you might want to tackle if you want to sell your home quickly. Read on to discover which projects will help you sell your home faster than the house next door.

Curb Appeal

First impressions count, especially when your house is for sale. If the yard is littered with weeds and the grass is a mile high, it’s a definite turnoff for any would-be buyer. Is the exterior paint peeling? Does the vinyl siding need to be replaced? Potential buyers notice these kinds of flaws. Boost your home’s curb appeal by making sure you mow the lawn every week, trim the shrubs, weed the flowerbed, power wash the exterior, and put a fresh coat of paint on the front door. 

You can even take it a step further and have a wood fence installed if there isn’t one. A fence is usually highly sought after by potential buyers, especially families and pet owners, because they’re looking for a safe yard for their kids and pets to play in. It can cost anywhere from $1,674 to $3,985 to have a wood fence installed, depending on what type of wood you choose and how tall you want the fence to be. The cost of lumber usually falls within $7 to $15 per foot, and labor can cost $10 to $30 per foot.

Neutral Paint Colors

Avoid turning off potential buyers with paint colors that are “loud.” Instead of using bold, bright shades, paint the walls in your home a neutral color. Country Living reports that neutral wall colors in shades of gray or blue make rooms seem more spacious and allow potential home buyers to imagine themselves living in the home. Neutral colors attract more people to your house, especially when viewed from photos and videos.

Declutter, Deep Clean, and Stage

One of the best ways to sell your house quickly is to declutter. Removing unnecessary furniture and knickknacks helps your home appear clean and well-organized. When you take down family photographs and try to depersonalize your living space, it enables would-be home buyers to envision themselves living there. No one wants to view a home crammed with furniture and overflowing with vases and porcelain figurines. If you want to sell your home as soon as possible, toss out your junk or at least place it in a storage unit (you can buy storage containers at Walmart for less than $10). Deep clean your home, making sure that every room sparkles. Then stage your home by rearranging the furniture, placing fresh cut flowers in a vase, or hanging a beautiful piece of wall art.

Other Important Things to Remember

Pay attention to the housing market in your area to determine the best time to sell your home. Zillow.com reports that the first half of May is one of the best times to put your home up for sale. But consider your location, interest rates, the economy, and employment growth before making your decision.

You should also choose an experienced real estate agent when you want to quickly sell your home. Interview several agents before you hire one, and ask them if they’ve recently sold any houses. You should also question them on how they plan to market your home. And if they’re a new real estate agent, you can always ask for references.

No one wants their home to linger on the market. The goal is to sell it quickly for the highest possible price. If you take the appropriate steps to enhance the appearance and condition of your home, as well as hire an effective real estate agent, you’ll have a greater chance of selling your home and moving on to the next chapter in your life.