Thinking about selling your home? Did you know that there are a few simple things that you can do to help get those offers rolling in and sell quick? Many people may think that in order to make their homes look better, they must do extensive work to improve the appearance of their home before even considering selling, but that’s not always the case.
Sometimes something as simple as a paint job, getting new blinds and light fixtures, or refinishing wood floors is all that is needed to make your home stand out from others in the neighborhood and sell.
When it comes to upgrades to your home, money is the primary concern and may be the reason upgrades in your home have stagnated. Fortunately, most of the upgrades on this list are relatively affordable, and are suitable for DIYers.
Of course, when it comes to more complicated things such as roof repairs or electrical and plumbing concerns, those are best to leave up to the professionals.
Remember that when upgrading your space and there are other glaring issues such as roof leaks, electrical problems, foundation issues etc., don’t waste your time trying to make things look pretty and instead invest the money in getting those issues fixed. Wait until those issues have been resolved before re-listing your home, as most buyers expect a home they purchase to be safe and livable ASAP, and repairs like that will definitely turn most buyers off from your home.
1. Fresh coat of paint. You’d be surprised at how much a fresh coat of paint can really change the look and feel of a room. Even painting the window shutters, front door, kitchen cabinets, or a statement wall can make a big difference in the eyes of buyers and make them more likely to buy your home. Not only is this one of the easiest ways to upgrade your home, but it is also one of the least expensive things on this list to do as well. If you’re doing a DIY, try to keep any colors you use neutral such as shades of white, grey, beige or others.
2. Refinish or install hardwood floors or use appealing vinyl plank flooring that looks like wood. If your wood floors are in pretty good condition, all that may be needed is a little refinishing and re-staining of the wood to make a big difference in the way perspective buyers look at your home. If they aren’t in great condition however, fix what you can if you can or try pulling up old carpet and replacing floors with vinyl slabs that look like real wood. Consistently across the board, having coordinating floors and hard floors tend to be a big selling point for many potential buyers, so investing a little in the floors of your home could go a long way in selling it.
3. Replace old, broken blinds. Another easy to do, relatively inexpensive way to upgrade your home, getting new blinds that aren’t broken or damaged can dramatically alter the look of your home, offer more privacy and can even help maintain the energy efficiency of it, all while making one less thing that buyer may need to do before feeling at home.
4. Replace old, drafty windows and opt for more energy efficient ones. Drafty, broken, cracked or old windows can have a massive impact on not only the appearance of your home, but also the indoor comfort and energy efficiency of it. A smart upgrade is to get new windows, which make everything look better and also may help lower utility bills in the long run for the new homeowners, making it a great feature that can help it sell.
5. Landscape your yard. One of the more costly options on this list is to invest in landscaping. Many people want to enjoy their outdoor space, and if your back yard is a slab of concrete with holes in the ground and dying or dead plants everywhere, it’s going to turn buyers off from purchasing your home. A little landscaping can go a long way, and even laying down some sod, edging your lawn, and planting a few trees can alter the look of your front or backyard making it more appealing to buyers.
6. Update lighting fixtures and other fixtures throughout the house, but especially in the kitchen and bathroom. A nice kitchen and a nice bathroom are the two biggest selling points of a home. How many times have you watched HGTV and seen that those are the top two things on buyers wish lists for their new homes? Updating little parts of these areas can make a big difference in how they come off to buyers. Of course, if you really wanted to get the highest selling price on your home, completely renovating these two areas can add a ton of value to your home, and get you more offers if you can swing the cost of it.
7. Update appliances in the kitchen and throughout the house. We recently wrote a blog on how updating appliances can add a lot of value to your home, a peace of mind to buyers, and really make an area of your home look great. Many people overestimate the cost of new appliances, but it may be one of the least expensive items on this list depending on the look and type of appliances you’re going for. Check that blog out here for more information!
8. Declutter your home and add closet organization systems. A very low-cost item on this list is to go through your old stuff, get rid of what you no longer use, need or wear and adding an inexpensive closet organization system (think storage cubes, shoe racks, and installing a couple of extra shelves) can make your home look neater, less cluttered and make it easier for you to move when your home finally sells. It’s a win-win.
For more information, check out HGTV here and here and Her Money here.
Happy selling!
