A Solid Improvement

Statistics show most prospective buyers drive by a property before they call for an appointment to view it. So curb appeal makes that crucial 'first impression', and indoor upgrades will not matter if people never view them. The driveway pictured below extends from the front of the house, so cracks that developed over time aged the look of the property and were noticeable from the curb. The problem continued with the patio in the back. Removing and replacing this was not a do-it-yourself project as it required extensive work, and the fence between the houses was also replaced.  But the upgraded look to the property improves the curb appeal immensely and took years off the appearance of this yard.

Driveway: Before

Driveway: After

Patio: Before

Patio: After

Check It "Out"

Outdoor buildings can become weathered over time. When you see them in your yard everyday you hardly notice, but they may detract from the appeal of your home and spell w-o-r-k to a potential buyer. Make your shed or garage a positive extra in the sale by keeping it in good repair.

Before

After

Birdhouse detail.

Get A Handle On Things

Changes don't need to be expensive to make a noticeable difference. The area around handles and knobs can become worn or dirty, and fixtures themselves can date a property due to the materials and styles used. Simply changing the handles, and cleaning up fingerprints can give cupboards and closets a refreshed look. Changes like these deliver a good return for a small investment.

Before

After

Thing Are Looking Up!

Ceilings can be damaged by a number of causes. Buyers will be wary of damage because water stains could reveal structural problems with the roof, and unsightly cracking means work to repair it. Therefore it is best to address ceiling problems yourself so they are not an issue when selling. Special primer may be required to seal and kill areas if mold has grown. Here are before and after photos that show ceiling improvements from various conditions.

Before: Cracked paint on ceiling tile and a dirty, rusty fan cover.

After: Ceiling sanded, fan cover cleaned, and both repainted.

Before: Ceiling discoloured where cupboards
were removed.

After: Holes filled and ceiling repainted.

Before: Signs of water damage on the ceiling.
The roof was repaired, but this damage
could concern a buyer.

After: Repainted ceiling conceals signs of past water damage.

A Pane in the Glass

Windows are meant to be clear. However, sometimes the seals break and moisture seeps between the panes, like in the photo. It can look like a steamy buildup, or worse like a rainy day, and the amount of moisture can vary with the seasons. This may be quite noticeable, and will spell "work" to a potential buyer, so it is therefore worth replacing if you plan to sell.

Torn But Not Forlorn

When staging, you might encounter small tears in fabric or seams in need of repair. Although the example shown is clothing, this could happen on drapery or a cushion. When you don't have the supplies or time to mend a seam by re-stitching it, fabric glue can be used to make the repair. Just apply the product lightly and hold the fabric together for about 3 minutes until the glue begins to set, then allow it to dry. (Test first on an inconspicuous area if you are uncertain whether the glue will work on the fabric).

Before: torn seam

After: seam is repaired without stitching 

Example of fabric glue.