It’s no secret that homes aren’t selling as easily as in previous years. This economy is great for the home buyer, but not so hot for those who are looking to sell. Regardless of the reason you are looking to sell, it is probably a good idea to do some remodeling first.
Making upgrades will improve your chances of selling, while also increasing the listing price. No one wants to go upside down on a home. In an ideal world, we’d all make a profit on our home sale. Unfortunately, homes are selling for less these days and without renovations, you risk selling at a lower price, or potentially not selling at all.
The kitchen is where many families spend a lot of time. Having an outdated kitchen will likely make a potential buyer turn around before seeing the rest of the home. You don’t have to completely redo your kitchen, as it is unlikely a full kitchen remodel (costing tens of thousands of dollars) will ever give you the full return on investment that it would have 10 years ago. Instead focus on simple upgrades.
Replace cabinets, flooring and countertops, if needed. It is also a good idea to add in energy-efficient appliances. Going green is more popular than ever and this adds appeal to potential buyers who are concerned with environmental issues and energy usage.
The bathroom is another room that will turn off buyers at first glance. No one wants a dingy bathroom. Upgrading the medicine cabinet and replacing light fixtures are a quick fix that may do the job. If you have money in your budget, I would also recommend replacing shower doors, vanity and tile.
If you are trying to sell a one bathroom home, you may want to skip the repairs on the first bathroom and add a second one instead. Ideally you would be able to do both, but this may not fit in your budget. Having a second bathroom is much more important to potential home buyers.
An unattractive home (from a curb appeal perspective) is often a deal breaker. This is the first impression and we all know how much those count. If your yard is not in tip top shape, do something about it. By adding a few plants or a new garden and trimming current plants you can change your homes appeal without spending too much. Adding a little light will also go a long way.
Going along with the curb appeal is the exterior of your home. If you have wood siding, a good paint job will do the trick. If you have vinyl siding, thinking about adding new vinyl would be ideal. When choosing the colors of this new exterior, keep it neutral. While you’re at it, you should replace any old, grungy windows with new energy efficient ones.
As a final piece of advice, update your lighting. Choose current light fixtures that will help to modernize your home. Add track lighting, ambient lighting and LED lights. This is a fairly inexpensive fix that will keep house hunters interested.
In order to get your return on these investments, I recommend doing most of the work yourself. For those harder-to-tackle jobs, use The Local Book to find home remodeling companies in your area.
I recently went through a similar process after months of trying to sell with absolutely no interest. I was in a pinch and needed to sell quickly, I found Salisbury home improvement who helped me get my home ready for buyers. In total the repairs took about a month. But upon completion, my home was sold within a week with multiple offers at my first open house.
Buying a home is all about neighborhood and bang for your buck. You can’t change the neighborhood you live in, but you can always make your home a better value to potential buyers.
