A Little Home Improvement For A Big Return

You can spend as little or as much as you’d like when it comes to home improvement but if you focus on what buyers want, you’ll put your house at the top of their gotta-have-it-now list.

If you’re thinking about selling, we’ve got a few useful tips that will increase the value of your home fast before you take it to market.

Worry About The Little Things

It’s the little things that we often overlook. Try to use a fresh eye to view your home like a prospective buyer. Folks like clean houses, so look at all the little nooks and crannies and see what you can clean up before listing your home for sale. The fastest way to increase the value of your home is to make it so clean that it doesn’t look like anyone lives there. Buyers immediately notice dirty carpet, dingy walls, and yellowed and graying tile grout. Go the extra distance on this one, it will pay off big. Cleaning supplies don’t cost much, and even if you replace some carpet, the return will more than pay for the investment. Pay attention to little things like cabinet fronts and furnace vents. Potential buyers will notice closet doors, built-in shelving, door jambs, window sills, and ceiling fans, even if you haven’t noticed them in months.

Kitchens Sell

Everyone has to eat and if they can cook and eat in a great space, so much the better! Update your faucets and cabinet hardware. Remove everything that you possibly can from your countertops, and then scrub them well. Wash backsplashes until they shine. Replace or clean every light bulb and light cover or shade. Dust the tops of every shelf and appliance. Apply fresh paint or varnish to cabinets and apply oil for a nice finish to wooden finishes. Clean your appliances until they look new, even if they’re not staying in the home. You will increase the value of your home just by making your kitchen look like the new owner can cook a meal in it the first night they own it.

Show Some Space

It is surprising how quickly we collect objects in our homes. Depending on how long you’ve lived at your current address, your house could be brimming with collectibles. If you’re planning on moving anyway, start removing as much as you can. It’s not clutter to you, but you want buyers to envision themselves making a home here, so start making space. Start with closets. Get rid of most of the clothes and other items that you’re storing in your closets. Then look at each individual room, and focus on minimizing what’s taking up space. Pictures, old furniture, and anything that you can move out of the room to make it look bigger will increase the value of your home by making it appear ready for a new buyer’s possessions.

Paint It!

After cleaning, buying paint is the least expensive way to increase the value of a home. You might be surprised what a fresh coat of paint on every wall can do. You can make it look new again by painting porches and shutters, as well as doors and window sashes. Pick neutral colors and buy quality paint. Don’t forget to touch up door jambs and window sills, too. Paint your front door a solid bold color and welcome your home’s new owner!

Talk To A Realtor

That might not be what you were expecting to hear, but real estate is an exquisitely local market. What sells in Florida probably won’t sell in Oregon. Contact a local realtor for some valuable advice on what buyers are looking at in your neighborhood. Plus, their professional eye on your property is just what you need for great tips on how to sell fast. Take notes, and then get started.

The Bottom Line

Performing small tasks now can pay off big when you sell. Make your home your new buyer’s dream home and it will sell as fast as you list it!