Easy Steps to Update Your Home

Real Estate for Sale Call Terry

The spring real estate market is here! I’ve been busy taking buyers to homes in and around Lake Zurich. They’re in different price ranges and their wants and needs are different but there are some things that they all look for. Read on to see what they want and some simple updates to prepare your home for the market or just update for your own enjoyment.

1. Updated kitchens: It doesn’t matter if they are looking in Lake Zurich, Wauconda, Buffalo Grove or Long Grove, home buyers want updated kitchens. They’d all love to have new cabinets, solid surface counters and stainless steel appliances. If that’s not in your budget, consider doing a few simpler things. A fresh coat of paint works wonders. If your cabinets have seen better days, consider painting them and adding new hardware. If you’re considering new appliances, see Janette Iversen at Abt (1200 N. Milwaukee in Glenview) and tell her that Terry sent you!

2. Updated baths: Make it sparkle! New faucets can make the whole vanity look newer. Paint vanities and replace hardware. A new shower curtain and fluffy towels help to make it look inviting.

3. Clutter-free homes: While showing a home last week in Lake Zurich, my clients were quite distracted by the walls full of photos and children’s toys throughout the home. They commented that the house wasn’t big enough for them. The reality is that it was larger than another home they were considering. I am not a proponent of removing every personal item. I think it makes homes seem cold. But it’s important to remove enough of them so the buyer doesn’t feel like he or she is intruding.

4. Clean houses: For years I’ve been telling home sellers that the way you live is not necessarily the way that you sell. While a few dishes in the sink don’t usually bother me at home, (Note to my family: It’s so easy to put them in the dishwasher. It’s right next to the sink!), it does bother potential buyers. They want to see everything spic and span. So keep the dishes out of the sink, toothpaste off the mirrors and cabinets neatly organized.

5. Curb appeal: Everyone wants to love driving up to their home. While showing homes in Lake Zurich and Mundelein this weekend, I was slipping and sliding on driveways and sidewalks. Keep driveways and paths clear. Don’t underestimate the power of your front door. A fresh coat of paint and updated hardware works wonders. In this weather, that’s probably all you can do outside for now. In a few weeks, I’ll tell you how to use cold-hardy plants to spruce up your home.

Staging a home prior to putting it on the market is a top priority. It’s one of the services that I offer as a Realtor. You can see Coldwell Banker’s fact sheet with some great tips for enhancing your home. When you’re ready to make a move, I’ll be happy to come over and help you get your home in tip-top shape.