You're thinking about selling.

Suddenly every little thing in your house looks like a project.

The old light fixture.

That bedroom paint.

The scratched flooring.

The dated bathroom vanity.

Before you start spending money, stop.

You probably don't need to renovate everything.

Start With Problems Buyers Notice Immediately

In most homes, I would first look at relatively inexpensive items that affect the buyer's first impression:

Cleaning, decluttering, obvious deferred maintenance, damaged trim or walls, burnt-out lights, overgrown landscaping and rooms desperately needing touch-up paint.

These aren't glamorous improvements, but together they can change how a home feels.

Be Careful With Expensive Renovations

A $15,000 renovation doesn't automatically add $15,000 to your selling price.

That's especially true if you're choosing finishes based on your personal taste shortly before moving.

Sometimes the better strategy is to price the home appropriately and let the next owner make the renovation exactly how they want it.

Every State College Home Needs a Different Strategy

A 1950s home near Penn State shouldn't necessarily be prepared the same way as a newer Boalsburg house, a Bellefonte property or a State College condo.

The likely buyer is different.

The competition is different.

And the improvements buyers expect can be different.

That's why one of the best things you can do before preparing your house for sale is have your Realtor walk through it before you hire contractors.

I'll tell you where I think spending money will help—and where I'd keep the money in your pocket.

Planning a move in State College, Lemont, Boalsburg, Bellefonte or elsewhere in Centre County? Let's look at the house before you start the projects.

Phil Williams, Realtor®
RE/MAX Centre Realty
CentrePaRealtor.com