There aren’t many decisions bigger than selling your home and buying a new one. When it comes to listing your house, you want to get top dollar and feel good about the transaction. If you’re going to get the most out of this, you need to make your home as attractive as possible. Making repairs and improvements will increase your property’s value so you can justify raising the sale price.
Before thinking about homeowners insurance options for your new place and making plans to move in, make sure you have everything in order with the inspection and putting your current house on the market. There are a few essential items that you can’t ignore and that will be sure to get people interested in your home.
Add Some New Paint
Some homeowners think they have to spend big bucks on a home improvement project to increase the value. While this may be true in some cases, not everything has to be a major, costly renovation. Something as simple as adding a fresh coat of paint can make a big difference. This won’t require a professional’s touch; you can take care of this on your own and save some money. Keep in mind that neutral colors are best. You don’t necessarily have to repaint every room, but focus mostly on areas such as the living room, master bedroom, and kitchen.
Top Off Your Home
A well-built roof should last for 20 to 30 years. If yours is approaching this milestone, it may be time to install a new one. If your roof is in poor condition, it not only presents a safety concern, but it can be an eyesore. There are multiple choices to look at with a new roof. Asphalt shingles have long been a popular material, but you can also protect your home with a metal roof, slate shingles, or polymer shingles. When new buyers look at your house and see that it has a new roof, they’ll know that the chances are good that they’ll never have to replace it again.
Improve the Landscaping
The first thing a prospective buyer will notice about your home might not be the actual home at all. As people approach the home, they’ll check out the landscaping, including the grass, trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers. You can turn heads by planting new items in the flowerbeds or beefing up the garden. Make sure you weed these areas and trim the bushes. Placing cement curbing around the perimeter of the yard can add curb appeal. Trees are also nice touches, whether for shade or fruit. Don’t forget to prune them to prevent overgrowth.
Clean It Up
As you host open house events, you want to show off your home and portray it in the best light possible. It’s great if you can boast brand-new kitchen appliances, floors, or cabinets. But even some cleaning can make your home appealing to people. Spend some time scrubbing the house from top to bottom. Get rid of clutter, organize, and ensure that every room is tidy when people walk through. If you’re worried about missing anything, hire a professional cleaning service to clean those hidden areas you may overlook.
Update the Bathroom
If you were to choose one room in the house to renovate, the bathroom might be the best place to start. An out-of-date bathroom can turn away interested buyers. Conversely, you can get a nice return on your investment when you upgrade this room. You can start by ripping out that ugly tile or linoleum and replace it with stone. If you want a less expensive option, a newer vinyl or tile will work well. You should also think about putting in a new fixture and installing new shower tiles. Replacing the toilet and showerhead are other good choices.
For the Kitchen
People spend a lot of time in the kitchen, not just for eating and preparing meals but for entertaining. A comfortable, open, bright kitchen can add charm to any home. And this yet another effective way to increase the value of your property. If you don’t have enough in your budget for a full renovation, putting new hardware on the cabinets is a small touch that makes a big mark. A new sink fixture won’t set you back much either. If you don’t want to spend the money on new kitchen cabinets, you can always paint them.
If you have the money and want to warrant an even higher listing price, install hardwood or bamboo flooring. Granite countertops are also a good way to go. If your microwave, dishwasher, stove, range, or refrigerator are worn out or outdated, check out some stainless steel replacements. These are durable and easy to clean.
Enhanced Lighting
Canned lights have become a popular choice in kitchen and living rooms. Think about swapping out your current fixtures for these space-saving counterparts. Energy-efficient lighting will save the new homeowners money on utilities. Plus, LED bulbs last far longer than incandescent bulbs. You can also consider putting in additional lights in well-used areas. If you want to take it a step further, choose a smart lighting system so you can control when the lights come on and off. You can set them using a timer or use your smartphone to control them when you’re away from home.
Window Shopping
From the exterior and interior, windows are among the first things people will see when looking at your house. Explore various styles and those that fit your needs and preferences. Bay windows, double-hung windows, and casement windows can enhance the ambiance of your home and allow more natural light to come in.
As you prepare to list your home, you want to be accurate with the sale price. The home inspection may point out various items to repair or replace. In addition to these, you should think about making these improvements. Regardless of your budget, you can choose those elements that make the most sense and provide the most for your money.
