QUICK FIXES
6. Bedrooms: Do you have as many as you think you have? The bedroom count has the most impact on value. Many homeowners convert two bedrooms to one, removing doors, windows and closets required for a room to be counted as a bedroom. 7. Allowances: Rather than give an allowance, your seller will be better off replacing the carpet, painting the house, etc. The new carpet or new paint will draw more offers and generally result in higher offers than the offer with the allowance (taking into consideration the cost to complete the repair). Also, most lenders need to allow significant allowances, which could cause problems with appraisal and loan approval. 8. Driveways: Seriously damaged, cracked driveways will deter buyers. They also may create a safety hazard and be flagged by the home inspector and appraiser. While out of the seller's control, the driveway's slope must be considered, as FHA may not approve financing if the slope exceeds 14%. 9. Taxes and Utility Bills: Get your financial "house" in order. Buyers will look at many homes and compare tax and utility bills. Plan ahead, as tax bills can only be contested during a 45-day window each year (usually around March/April/May). Think about adding insulation, weather stripping and completing other energy-conserving projects, which will result in a series of lower utility bills at the time of listing. Most utility companies offer free home energy audits. 10. Closets: Most homes need more closet space. There are numerous options for closet organization systems to improve the value of your home.
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