Flipping Your House, How to Trade Up

Selling Your Home for Top Dollar

Dos and don't s to help you get the price you want and make sure

your big flip isn't a flop!

Getting ready to trade up? Then it's time to roll up your sleeves and

get your starter house (or condo) ready for the resale market. Here are

some dos and don't s to help you get the best price and ensure your big

flip isn't a flop.

Do paint It's one of the cheapest and easiest things you can do and also the most

effective. A dingy or scuffed wall definitely needs repainting, but

even walls in good condition can use a new paint job if they're

currently an unusual colour. Neutral tones like white, cream or sandy

taupe will appeal to the largest group of potential buyers. Don't do any major renovations Sure, you need to do some fast facelifts to get your home looking as

clean, bright, and spacious as possible, but don't spend big bucks hoping

to make even bigger bucks. Your goal is to get your home looking as

neutral a canvas as possible so the greatest number of potential buyers

will want it. Think one-day makeovers, weekend projects, and simple fixes

-- not dream Renos. Advertisement Advertisement

Do Clutterbust Let your home's "bones" shine through by banishing clutter. If your

primary rooms are stuffed to bursting with furniture, move some of it

offsite to a storage facility (don't let it block sightlines in your

basement or attic either). And if anyone's coming to view your home,

stash your everyday messes (toys, coats, old newspapers and magazines,

etc) out of sight, too. Don't make a bad first impression Make sure the first look potential buyers get of your front walk wows

them. Repaint your front door and porch and replace a dingy mailbox or

tarnished door hardware with newer models. If your porch light is out of

date or ho-hum, replace it -- a stylish light costs under $100 and can

make a huge impact. Do hire a professional cleaner Get your house the cleanest it's ever been. Common problems like a

greasy range hood or backsplash, dirt-scuffed baseboards, and

residue-covered shower stall tiles need some real elbow grease. If you

don't want to get intimate with that kind of grime, hire a pro. (Pay

extra and request a "deep clean," rather than standard weekly cleaning.) Don't let your bathroom stay in a time warp While major renos are out of the question, simple under-$1,000

switcheroos will actually pay off. Replace unattractively coloured

ceramic fixtures (avocado green toilet and pedestal sink, anyone?) with

basic white ones, and install new vanity lights if the existing fixture

channels the wrong era. Do put your home in bloom Even though you're moving, it's worth keeping your flowerbeds looking

their best -- a nicely landscaped house is one that really says "home

sweet home." (Add a bouquet indoors, too.)

Don't let your house have B.O. A stinky house doesn't send potential buyers a gotta-buy message. The

thing is, though, if you smoke, have pets or cook extremely aromatic

meals, you'll be so used to the smells that you won't be able to detect

them. But outsiders will. So, if any of the above describes your

household, embark on a de-scenting regimen. Steam clean all your

carpets, drapery, and upholstery repaint your walls, change your furnace

filters, and on days you're showing the house, either bake some

cookies, light some scented votive candles, or brew a fresh pot of coffee

just before you go (make sure your agent is on board with ensuring the

candles are blown out and the oven turned off to avoid fire hazards). Do let the dogs out Keep your pets out of the house during viewings and open houses. (And

you stay out, too!)