The best home improvements to perform before selling your home are those that will help you sell for the most money. When deciding to sell your home, there are some things to consider and preparations to make in order to sell quickly and get top dollar for your home. We recommend walking through your home and viewing it from the perspective of a home buyer. Think about the things they will like and what they may dislike about your home. Look for issues, defects, and deferred maintenance that may concern them. Make your list and give your attention to curing these challenges before you even list your home. Doing so will save you time and money in the long run.
There are, of course, things you won’t be able to change. Your postcode has a big impact on the value of your home. For example, if you live in a highly sought-after area such as the Colorado Springs Zip Code, you’re in luck! Many prospective buyers look at a postcode and make an immediate judgment on the property. However, even if you live in a less desirable area, you can make a big difference with curb appeal. The first image a buyer will see of your home will be the outside, so make sure it looks well-kept, loved, and homely.
Here is our list of the top home improvements that will help you sell quickly and for more money.
Fresh Coat of Paint
There are few home improvements that provide more “bang for your buck” than painting. Adding a fresh coat of paint to your home’s interior will offer a major transformation. This gives you the opportunity of updating the color palette and to cover any marks or imperfections on the walls. Another added benefit is that buyers seem to be comforted by the smell and appearance of a recently painted home.
The cost of painting will vary based on the square footage and wall space in your home. Your costs will also depend on whether you are hiring professionals or going the DIY route. In the end, this transformative home improvement should cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on average.
Minor Fixes
Homebuyers rarely miss the minor defects when viewing homes and they tend to view the costs of these repairs as much greater than they actually are. We are talking about the proverbial loose doorknob and leaky faucet. Of course, there are many other examples of minor fixes and updates that will make a huge impact on the way that buyers view your home. Here are some other items to consider when making these corrections/updates.
- Fixing imperfections to walls and ceilings (holes, discoloration, etc.)
- Updating/replacing items such as cabinet hardware, electrical outlets and wall covers, light fixtures, and faucets.
- Correcting issues like low water-pressure, slipped or cracked roof tiles, broken windows or appliances, squeaky door hinges, etc.
- Repairing small defects to flooring such as torn, stained, or stretched carpet, gaps in laminate flooring, chipped or cracked tiles, and scratched or discolored hardwood
Landscaping
The outside of your home provides the first impression to potential buyers. Improvements to landscaping can range from performing additional maintenance to the removal or addition of landscaping elements. As buyers drive through the neighborhood and walk up to your home, they will be comparing its curb appeal to surrounding homes. If your landscaping is not up to par with your neighbors, this will give a poor first impression to potential buyers. It may even cause them to pass on viewing the inside! Here are some top landscaping improvements you should make before listing your home for sale.
- Replace any dead grass.
- Trim the shrubs and trees.
- Remove and replace outdated shrubs, plants, and landscaping items.
- Add lighting.
Improve Your Bathroom
To the surprise of quite a few people, the bathroom can influence potential buyers a lot. If they see that it’s slightly grubby, the metal features are aged, there’s a bit of mould in the grout, or the shower has seen better days, then they will see this as a sign that other parts of the home are unkempt and will be put off. They want to see a glistening bathroom that smells of lemon and bleach! So, before you put your property on the market you should make sure your bathroom is in perfect condition. Look at the showers offered by Glass Shower Direct and replace yours, replace the taps, get a new toilet seat, make any improvements that will help make it look more attractive to buyers.
Major Systems (Replacement or Maintenance)
Homebuyers are often terrified that they will be faced with the hefty costs of repairing or replacing a major system or component of the home within the first year. Preemptively doing these repairs or replacing these systems will put prospective buyers at ease. If your A/C unit(s) or furnace is over ten years old, you should consider having them inspected. They may only require a little maintenance. In some cases, it may make sense to go ahead and replace them if they are not functioning properly and efficiently. Either way, a buyer will appreciate knowing that such an expensive component of the home is new or well maintained and won’t be an issue for the foreseeable future.
Give consideration to the replacement or maintenance of the following systems before selling your home.
- Roof
- Water heater
- Air Conditioner
- Furnace
- Pool equipment
- Kitchen Appliances
- Sprinkler system
Final Thoughts
It is understandable that you may not want to spend a fortune to improve your home right before selling. On the other hand, making specific improvements that help you sell will greatly increase your chances of getting top dollar for your home. So go ahead and make those changes that will have the biggest impact on how potential buyers will view your home. You will be glad that you did.