Increase the Value of Your Santa Cruz Home in a Few Easy Steps

To get a Santa Cruz home to sell during a buyer’s market, it needs to look better than the other houses on the street.  Making just a few quick changes can make all the difference when trying to best the competition.  Here are a few things to do to make your home stand out:

A Fresh Coat of Paint

Few things can spruce up a Santa Cruz home like a fresh coat of paint.  Be sure to pick a neutral color.  Potential buyers won’t be able to see themselves decorating and living in the home if they see too much of someone else's personality in the wall color.  Most home improvement stores will have color cards you can look through, this will help you find the most neutral color you can live with.  While you’re at it, get rid of all the knickknacks and other items that may clutter up your home, and the prospective buyer's mind.

Fix the Flooring

You don’t have to buy new carpet, but you need to make sure it's clean and in good condition.  Be honest, if you wouldn’t want to inherit the flooring, no one else will either.  If after cleaning and making repairs the carpet does not look up to par, replace it.  Repair any gouges in the linoleum or hardwood floors.  Don’t let bad flooring ruin your chances of a good sell.

Keep Up the Maintenance

Before selling your home, walk through each room and make a list of what needs to be done.  Take note of the little things.  Look at the window frames, the caulking in the bathroom, and check out the condition of your gutters.  Do they need cleaning or is bigger repair in order?

Have someone come out and inspect your furnace and air conditioner for needed repairs.  Even plumbing should get a once over.  The roof of your house needs to be inspected too.  Arrange to make repairs as soon as possible. 

If you're unable to make these needed repairs, be prepared to lower the price of your Santa Cruz home as much as two dollars for every dollar of repair work needed.  These simple things can make the difference in a buyer’s market.

Thinking of selling your home?  Let me help you sell it as fast as possible for the best price.  Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

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Paint

Hardwood floors

Gutters