If you want to sell your home for the highest price possible then you need it to be in the best condition possible. No surprises there -- if you were a buyer you'd expect to pay less if you knew that you'd have to do a bunch of work on your new home purchase.
There are a few key improvements that are worth doing before selling a house, as they can help increase the value of the property and make it more attractive to potential buyers. Below are our most vital improvements that you may want to consider before putting your home on the market.
Start in the kitchen
The one room that sees the most action in any house is undoubtedly the kitchen. It;'s also the room that contains the highest number of appliances and noticeable surfaces, so it's always worth spending some extra attention to make it shine.
A minor kitchen remodel goes a long way for your home's resale value, so don't be terrified to pay extra now; it will ultimately help bring the most value in the final sale price. Replace faulty light fixtures, keeping in mind that your choice in light bulbs should always accentuate natural light instead of overwhelm it. A kitchen should communicate an organic, growth-oriented vibe so you never want to cultivate an artificial aesthetic in this room. Similarly, updating your cabinet style to to match your countertops can help create a feeling of a smoother, more seamless flow of energy. Lastly, any old appliances simply have to go. It sounds comical that replacing an $80 coffeemaker would impact selling your home, but buyers love feeling like every single element in the property is a total upgrade to their daily life.
Updating the bathrooms
Coming just in second place to the kitchen are the bathrooms. The bathrooms can be polarizing places; no place can go between nasty and squeaky clean like these rooms. You want to make sure they're the latter.
It has been argued that light blue bathrooms tend to attract home buyers more than any other color. At the very least, we recommend neutral paint in these rooms. Beyond color, your intuition is usually the best guide for a bathroom update. Anything that does not look in good shape is a prime candidate for replacement. New fixtures, new flooring or tile, or new vanities can be good ideas. At the very least, giving every bathroom a deep clean will improve your home value in the eyes of most buyers.
Adding a fresh coat of paint
Fresh paint can make a big difference in the appearance of a house, and it's relatively inexpensive to do. If you have the time, you can often do this yourself. The is one of those items that falls in the tier of low-cost home improvements, so the return on investment is usually decent.
Remember each potential buyer may have different tastes, so choose calm colors that allow your property's appeal to cater to as many folks as possible. Now is not the time to strike a major artistic expression. A good paint job is a budget-friendly alternative to a major remodel, so don't underestimate the power of the paintbrush!
Fixing any major repairs
Nobody loves major home improvement projects. All the work and investment that they require hardly seems worth is just to attract buyers. But the reality is that if there are serious issues with your house, that will translate into a difference of tens of thousands of dollars in the asking price.
So if there are any major repairs that need to be made, such as a new roof or HVAC system, it's generally a good idea to take care of them before selling the house. It needs to be move-in ready. Additionally, you need to think not only about your buyer but future buyers down the road. Whoever is thinking of purchasing your property won't want to do so if they know that they will have to retrofit things down the road. Installing things like smart home technology or splurging on brushed nickel for new appliances and faucets can help help home sellers today.
Enhancing curb appeal
Ironically, the last upgrade on our list to make before selling relates to your home's first impression. Potential buyers remember their initial thoughts the first time they pull up to your address. Spending a little money to enhance the curbside wow factor can be a fantastic boon to your home sale.
Make sure your home's exterior is in great condition. Sprucing up the landscaping, repainting the front door, or replacing the mailbox can be worthwhile. Small little exterior updates are not only cost effective but extremely useful.
Conclusion
It's important to keep in mind that not all home improvements will pay off when it comes to selling a house. It's a good idea to do your research and focus on the improvements that are most likely to have the greatest impact on the value of the property. Focusing in the kitchen and bathrooms, adding some new paint, investing in any nagging major renovations, and boosting your home's curbside appeal is our recommended plan of attack. If you're ever in doubt, check with your real estate agent for their tips. An experienced agent can advise you on how to deploy budget to allure prospective buyers.
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