Real Estate Tips and Trends… Home Improvement: Brighten, Update and Repair
The old adage to make money you have to spend money rings true for homeowners once the “For Sale” sign is placed on the front lawn. In some parts of the country, handyman services make up nearly half of all home improvement projects undertaken in the 6-month period before a home is sold.
Improvements/upgrades that prospective buyers are most likely to notice are flooring, cabinets, fences, fixtures and doors. Making these little fixes can help to sell your house quicker and typically for more money. Here are a few more easy improvements you might want to consider:
- Wash the exterior: Exterior siding and shutters should be clean and mold free.
- Dump the popcorn: Popcorn ceilings are not popular with buyers.
- Do easy kitchen and bathroom upgrades: Kitchens and bathrooms are known as the rooms that sell the house. The idea is to refresh, rather than remodel these valuable rooms.
- Paint in welcoming tones: Paint is an inexpensive fix for rooms that might be too bold for the average buyer. However, don’t turn to white paint – instead choose a warm tan or taupe to broaden your home’s appeal.
Finally, get a pre-sale inspection by a licensed home inspector to determine if your home has any structural damage, termite infestation or other major problems that would turn off buyers. Display the inspection report on the kitchen counter during showings so interested buyers see that the home has nothing to hide. It will appeal to interested buyers that all issues are taken care of and that the home has no major problems that would worry them or cost additional money to repair
