When it comes to listing your home, there’s no single set of black-and-white rules regarding potential property improvements that apply to every property and every seller. Any upgrade or change you make should only be considered if the change is likely to have an appreciable effect on the market value of your property in the minds of most buyers. NATURALLY, it’s every home seller’s goal to make sure they get the best price for their biggest investment, THEREFOR it’s important to determine whether you should undertake some remodeling projects or upgrades to make your home more appealing to a bigger pool of buyers.
BELOW ARE SOME COMMON SUGGESTIONS ON PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS FOR YOUR LISTING.
ALWAYS THINK LIKE A BUYER- FIRST IMPRESSION MATTERS!
GET A HOME INSPECTOR
Identifying issues early in the home-selling process lets you work the cost of repairs into your budget on the front end so they don’t wreck your deal later.
GET IDEAS FROM A PRO
It’s no secret that a nicer home will garner a higher price on the market. If you have an empty home with shag carpet, dull light fixtures, and sub-par countertops, the value of your home will be significantly less on the market. Interior designers can make these cosmetic fixes easily to give your old home a facelift. You would be amazed at how much you can raise the market price with just minor home design changes.
a standard hourly fee is normally less than $100, and in an hour they can give you lots of ideas for needed improvements. Even small suggested improvements, such as paint colors or furniture placement, can go a long way toward improving the look and feel of your home.
If your property is vacant – home staging will get it sold
According to industry analysis, staged homes sell faster and for more than homes that are not staged.
LOOK FOR INSPIRATIONS
An alternative to hiring a designer is to search for remodeling and decorating inspiration in design-oriented magazines, books, TV shows, and websites. Simply tear out or print off the ideas you want to try and start your to-do list. Keep it simple — when remodeling on a tight budget, do-it-yourself projects are best.
LOW-MAINTENANCE LANDSCAPING
Curb appeal is still the #1 seller. A clean, freshly painted house with good landscaping and updated fixtures/hardware will attract the most buyers.
No question that shrubs and colorful plants will add curb appeal to any home, but when shopping at your local garden center, make sure that you “think green.” Purchase plants that are native to your region or plants that are drought-tolerant; these require less water and maintenance, which means more savings to you and more green in your wallet.
CLEAN UP THE LAWN
Overgrown or patchy lawns and outsized bushes will cause your home to stand out — in a bad way. The good news is that taming your jungle is an easy fix. For a few hundred dollars, hire a lawn service company to trim your lawn and shape your hedges. Your curb appeal will go from messy to maintained without blowing your budget.
CLEANLINESS COUNTS
The old adage that you only get one shot at a first impression is true. So, make the interior of your home shine from the moment someone walks through the door. For less than $300, you can hire a cleaning service for a thorough top-to-bottom scrubbing. Even if you clean your home regularly, there are nooks and crannies that you may miss or overlook. Let a cleaning service do the dirty work to really make your home sparkle.
SMALL BATHROOM UPDATES EQUAL A BIG RETURN
Bathroom updates are always a smart move. Even if you can’t afford a full remodel, small changes such as replacing dated wallpaper with a faux or textured finish and replacing old lighting will update the room without denting your wallet.
BIG RETURN ON BATHROOM UPDATES
A great room to update for less than $750 is the bathroom. The two rooms that benefit most from even small renovations are the kitchen and bathroom. One cost-effective change — like replacing an outdated vanity, old plumbing, and lighting fixtures or adding a new tile floor — will guarantee a lot of bang for your buck and give your bath an updated, modern look. Think high-end hotels and spas. A few subtle tweaks can help buyers see your bathroom as a soothing space. Bring dingy tubs and tile back to life by grouting the tile and caulking the tub again. Finish up the makeover by washing or updating your bathmat and shower curtain for cheap.
Also, no one wants to see your toothbrushes and razors laying around! Keep all personal items and toiletries packed neatly under the sink, and stage the bathroom counter with fluffy white towels, decorative bars of soap, and a calming scented candle.
ANY KITCHEN UPDATE EQUALS ADDED VALUE
The same rule applies in the kitchen. You don’t have to start from scratch to create a winning recipe. For maximizing your home’s value, kitchen updates are key. Start by swapping out just one item, such as a stained sink or ancient microwave for shiny new stainless models. Even small kitchen updates will add big value to your home.
Buyers want a kitchen that is bright, clean, and fresh. The good news is, you don’t have to spend a small fortune on an expensive remodel to do that! A few small changes can make a big difference.
DO A SNIFF TEST
If you have pets, you may be accustomed to your furry BFF’s scent, but one whiff of Snowball and that winning first impression could disappear. It might be a good idea for pets to stay with a friend while your home is on the market.
To keep your home smelling fresh and clean, pass on cooking seafood or your favorite garlic bread while your home is on the market. Instead, light candles with buyer-friendly scents like citrus or vanilla. If your carpets smell funky, steam clean them to get rid of stains and odors. And if it’s beyond repair? Do a little calculation to see if replacing it with a new plush carpet or hardwood would benefit your budget in the long run.
Regardless, make sure to remove the telltale signs of pets before a home showing. Put up food bowls, transfer the litter box to the garage, tuck away stinky toys—those kinds of things.
GET HELP WITH GETTING ORGANIZED
Hire a professional organizer for a day. They will show you how to organize various rooms in your home and teach you tricks for keeping it organized. How does this increase your home’s value? Simple — a clutter-free home appears cleaner and larger, which is more attractive to homebuyers and therefore more valuable.
LET THE LIGHT IN
Most buyers want to see that a home has plenty of natural light. Remove heavy draperies and open up the blinds. Hide an unattractive view with sheer window coverings that still allow in light.
Replace any outdated light fixtures, upping the wattage in each lightbulb to its maximum safe capacity. Aim for about 100 watts every 50 square feet. Need some extra light? Add lamps in any dark areas. Quickly update outdated lamps with clean white drum shades.
