Maximize Your Investment 

You've decided to sell your home and know you have to do some things to get it ready for the market. Where's the best place to start and what repairs will return the maximum amount? I'm glad you asked!

For starters, clean out anything you don't need! Box it, donate it, or throw it away. It will make unpacking at your new home a much easier task.

While you are packing up these items, take note of baseboards, window sills and corners. Are they clean? Dirt and dust tend to hide here. We don't notice it day to day.

Now, let's look at the cost of some minor updates you can easily perform with maximum return:

• The Entryway:  Sand and stain or paint the front door. Colored doors are in right now. Choose a complimentary color; dark red or a shade of deep green is nice if it matches your exterior. Total cost: $25-30 a gallon.

• The Walkway: Plant a few flowers along the pathway or near the front door. Total cost: $15. These two items may mean the difference between a buyer stopping by or passing by.

• Bathrooms: Change out the fixtures. Brushed nickel and Bronze are in right now. Make sure they match your other fixtures. A complete change of fixtures in a bathroom, including towel rack and paper dispenser, about $250 for one sink, $400. for two.

• Painting: Don't underestimate the benefit of a fresh coat of paint. Choose neutral colors, such as sand or beige with a touch of brown. Cost: about $25 a gallon and your time.

• Lighting: Replace burnt out light bulbs with new. Use brighter bulbs to lighten dark rooms. Replace outdated light fixtures and ceiling fans. You can find reasonably priced fixtures from $49. for sconce style in the bathroom  to $89 for a ceiling fan with light.

• Organize your closets to maximize space. Pack up what you are not currently using.

• Once you have painted and lightened up each room, donít forget to clean the windows. You can have a professional do it for about $200-300. Or do it yourself for the cost of a bottle of window cleaner and paper towels.

• For the cost of a weekend of time spent, you can easily make your home stand out from other homes on the market. Gather your friends, buy some pizza, have fun and expect to double the return on your investment.

Last, but not least, call me to maximize your marketing and get your home SOLD!!

More Information About Selling Your Indianapolis Home

Tips for Preparing Your Home to Sell:  First impressions are the most powerful sales tools. Emotion plays a tremendous part in creating an interest in your home from a potential buyer.

Staging Above the Competition: With the influx of homes on the market, many in builder subdivisions, it is hard to distinguish the value one home represents over another; so many homes are passed by.

Marketing: There is no secret to marketing homes in the real estate industry. Every Realtor® has access to the same programs, websites, online platforms, and advertising outlets.

Home Feedback System: Our team utilizes the benefits of Centralized Showing Service for feedback. This automated system is just one of the ways we keep you informed during the process of selling your home.

Should You Buy or Sell First?: If you've decided to move, you've probably been searching for new properties, what do you do when you find the "perfect" house, but your home has not yet sold?

Why Didn't My Home Sell?: If your home didn't sell during the original listing period, you're probably wondering why.  There are five main reasons a home doesn't sell within the contractual term of a listing agreement. 

Should You Sell Short Sale? When there are no alternatives left for refinacing or having your loan modified, a short sale provides the homeowner an opportunity to sell their home for less than what is owed on their home.

Moving Checklist : Logical tips for a smooth move. 

Real Estate Glossary: Real estate terms and definitions.