With so many other homes for sale on the market, fixing up your home the “right” way can go a long way in getting the highest possible offer. Regardless of the selling price, the realtor takes a cut, there will be fees, taxes, and potential repair bills. Getting the maximum dollar amount for your home means you will get to keep more money once everyone takes their share, making it even more crucial to receive the highest return-on-investment possible.
To help readers get a high return-on-investment, we have created a list of five important do-it-yourself ideas that can help increase the overall value of your home. Let’s take a look!
1. Improving Curb Appeal:
It might come as a surprise to many homeowners that potential buyers are driving by your home all hours of the day. The internet makes it easier for these folks to find houses for sale so they can drive by when it is convenient for them. If the curb appeal of the home is less than impressive, potential buyers may cross that house off their list while assuming the inside is cared for as little as the outside. When you are trying to get maximum dollar for the home, cleaning up the exterior is a must.
Start by focusing on the landscaping. Trim the trees, edge the driveway and sidewalk, cut the grass, plant new flowers, and mulch around trees. You can even rent a power-washer to scrub clean the driveway, sidewalks, gutters, fence, and patio. Installing a sprinkler system will instantly add value to the home and give the new homeowner less to maintain when they buy it.
2. Transform The Patio Space:
Once a potential buyer is inside the house, they begin to imagine what it would be like living there. Give them a reason to want to spend quality time with family and friends outside by transforming an outdated patio area. You will want to get rid of all rusty patio furniture. You can find good-quality, inexpensive pieces at local yard sales. If the deck is worn out, we recommend renting equipment to sand the surface and apply a few coats of stain to give the wood new life.
Although your family may not have used this space, it might be the selling point for a new buyer. Place some potting boxes around the deck with new flowers to give the area some color and a fresh new look. Think of the space from a buyer’s perspective and provide them with a reason to want to buy your home.
3. New Paint Means New Look:
It really is incredible what a new coat of paint can do to a room. Painting is the least expensive way to give the entire house a fresh look. Regardless of your taste, if you are selling your home, you have to start considering what the buyers want. Neutral colors tend to be best because they appeal to a mass audience. Begin by painting those rooms that have not seen new paint color in decades. Afterward, head outside and take a look at your shutters. If they are dull, give them a new look by using bright white paint to touch up all the weathered areas. You will be pleasantly surprised by what a little color and a lot of love can do for your space.
4. Bathroom & Kitchen Improvements:
The two rooms that will be used the most by the new homeowners are the kitchen and bathroom. New appliances instantly add appeal to an outdated kitchen. Boxing up all that clutter in the cabinets and counter-tops can help make the kitchen feel bigger and allows the new homeowner to imagine all their accessories. Clean, cleared countertops look sleek and do not block buyers’ vision for the kitchen.
5. Energy Efficient Improvements:
The smallest changes can often have the most significant impact in the minds of potential buyers. When you focus on energy-efficient improvements, the buyers imagine how much money they could be saving with energy efficient appliances. Natural lighting, solar panels, timing systems for sprinklers or lighting, low-flow faucets and toilets, and star rated devices, all help to sell the fact that the new homeowner will be paying far less than they are used to for utilities.
Many of these improvements are things green-conscious buyers have on their checklist already so this could make the decision to choose your home more comfortable for them.
Every buyer comes with a different list of wants and needs. Think about your area and the type of buying market. You do not have to do every tip listed, but it is helpful to gear your home towards your area’s market and focus on increasing value in the local consumer’s eyes. Realtors and friends who have recently sold their homes can be an excellent resource for extra help. We hope you enjoyed this tips and tricks. Thanks for reading!
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