Today’s homebuyers are looking for move-in ready houses, real estate experts say. Here, local agents take us inside a Ladue residence to demonstrate how a few affordable upgrades can go a long way in boosting a home's curb appeal.
Donna Auld, Janet McAfee Real Estate
• FIRST IMPRESSION. Spruce up your home’s entrance with a fresh coat of paint on the front door, a beautiful wreath and a new welcome mat, along with well-maintained landscaping.
• RIGHT FIT. Give the sense of more space by matching furniture sizes to the scale of each room, moving larger pieces to bigger rooms if needed.
• DON'T TAKE IT PERSONAL. Take down any kids' artwork and family photos so the homebuyers can envision themselves and their own belongings in the space.
• BACK IN STYLE. Showcase each room for what it was originally designed to be—for example, change the additional living room, office or kids' play area back to a traditional dining room.
• STAY NEUTRAL. Use a neutral paint color to brighten any dull or dark rooms.
Ted Wight, Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
• BREATHING ROOM. Remove excess furniture and clutter, such as chairs, tables, storage boxes, paperwork and kids' toys, to create more open space in each room of the home.
• EVER GREEN. Replace overgrown or dying indoor plants.
• CLEAN SLATE. Clean flooring, from carpets to wood or tile, especially in high-traffic areas.
• PET PROJECT. Pets are welcome during home showings, but litter boxes should be cleaned and out of plain sight.
• FINISHING TOUCH. For unfinished basements, use a shade of gray to paint the flooring and add white to the walls for a more welcoming atmosphere downstairs.
Mark Gellman, The Gellman Team, CB Premier Group
• SPRING CLEANING. Ensure all rooms are cleaned from top to bottom—from dusting ceiling fans to shampooing carpets.
• TIMELESS ACCENTS. Avoid a house that appears dated by taking down any wallpaper or borders and replacing old light fixtures.
• PICTURE PERFECT. Use earth tones to paint over any imperfections on the walls, baseboards and ceilings.
• PRESERVING HISTORY. Caulk cracks that have resulted from settling in older homes.
• UPSCALE UPDATES. For bathrooms, particularly in master suites, upgrade to marble countertops and add new sink bowls and fixtures.
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