DIY: GETTING READY TO SELL?

Do check for common home inspection issues

Check outlets near water (bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry) for GFCI protection. If any are not GFCI protected, it’s an inexpensive fix. Next, test for gas leaks by applying a soap and water mixture at all connections in the gas line and watch for bubbles. Another pretty cheap fix if any leaks are found! Check for damage to the roof or gutters and for windows that don’t open/close/ lock properly or have broken seals. These may cost a bit more to fix, but it’s good to get them handled in advance. Last but not (at all) least is cracked sewer lines. As Pittsburgh’s terra cotta sewer system ages, this has been a hot topic during home inspections and it’s much better to know in advance to be able to plan for a solution rather than be caught off guard during a home inspection and have to fix it on a short timeline. Most plumbers will do a video inspection of the sewer line for around $200-300 (and offer a lovely DVD of the footage.)

Do refresh the whole house

Be sure to mind the curb appeal by trimming up landscaping and consider adding some seasonal potted plants for pops of color. To help buyers envision living there, minimize clutter and personal items around the house. Consider also enlisting the help of a professional stager to either rearrange the furniture you already have for a fresh look or they can lease furnishings to you and set them up beautifully. A fresh coat of paint goes a long way (both interior and exterior) especially if there are any areas of chipping paint or overly bright colors which may not appeal to all tastes. Lastly, wash all the windows and freshen up carpeted areas by getting them professionally steam cleaned.

Don’t do any major renovations

Contrary to popular belief, major renovations such as a total kitchen or bathroom re-do typically do not yield a favorable return on investment and tend not to be worth the money right before selling. Instead, consider a light makeover such as new countertops, flooring, cabinet hardware, etc. if needed. Consider refacing or painting cabinets and reglazing wall tile and tubs- it changes the whole look of the room at a much lower cost than replacing! New additions to the house will add value in square footage and appeal, but will likely cost much more than the increase in resale price, so it’s just not a good pre-sale investment. FIREPLACE CLEAN UP: a simple project to brighten your home

Scrub

Grab a dry, natural bristle brush and scrub the stones with small, circular motions. (Start at the top and work your way down so dust doesn’t collect on previously cleaned areas!)

Sweep

Use the bristle attachment on a Shop Vac (or regular vacuum) to sweep all of the stones clean. (Be sure to hit the mortar between the stones, too.)

Stir

Add two to three cups of water to a small bucket and stir in small increments of white chalk paint. Use an old paintbrush to test the mixture on a small area. Keep adding small amounts of paint at a time until the opacity is a good balance.

Stipple

Once the mixture yields a nice, translucent look, use the old paintbrush to stipple the whitewash onto each stone and mortar line. It could take a couple coats all over, but some stones may soak up the whitewash and need many coats to get the desired color!

Show off!

Because who doesn’t love some fantastic before/after pictures?