Simple Ways To Increase The Value Of Your Home Before Selling

 

If you have ever tried to buy or sell a home before, you probably already know that negotiations can be tough to get the best price for yourself. The best way to quickly increase the value of your home in readiness for a sale is to embark on simple, but value-increasing home improvement projects.

These can be as extensive or as small as you would like depending on your budget. Ultimately, the smarter your approach to improvements before a sale, the better placed you will be to reap the rewards come sale time.

Here are a few clever ways to increase your home's selling price that won't take a lot of time or money.

Increase Curb Appeal

The first thing that potential buyers see when they approach your home is the driveway, the front yard and the front door. Since so many buyers make their decision based on sight alone, it is important to make a great first impression. ‘Curb appeal’ is an important part of the process, so you should be willing to spend some time tackling this. If you have a driveway, rent a pressure washer to clean it completely. Mow the grass, plant some flowers and even look to replace – or at least paint - the door if it’s looking a little dishevelled. Seems minimal, right? But this alone may be enough to plant a serious seed of approval before they even walk through the door.

Invest in Designer Flooring

Flooring is something that many people overlook when selling a home, but it represents a huge part of how potential buyers will perceive a property. Old, cracked or unattractive flooring can set the tone for the rest of the home, turning people off before they’ve even gotten past the entrance. Although elegant designer flooring might seem like a bit of an outlay at first, you might be surprised to learn that vinyl is actually very affordable, and these days pack a serious design punch. The contemporary styles can replicate the look of wood or stone and will give your home a stylish, modern look.

Replace Existing Window Treatments

Do people pay attention to windows and coverings? You bet you they do! Since curtains, blinds, shades and shutters take up a large portion of the home and are typically at eye level, any old and shabby blinds or curtains should be replaced. Dusty curtains should be wiped clean. A simple, sleek design works best for most homes, and white blinds can often be a contemporary option that blends in cohesively without imposing much onto the space. Replacing window treatments is a simple, but highly effective way of revamping the look of your home entirely.

Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

Perhaps the simplest way to increase the value of your home is to apply a fresh coat of paint. This simple task instantly eliminates any dings or scratches on the wall, and it makes the entire property look newer and more valuable. If you only have time to do one thing before showing your home to potential buyers, make sure it is repainting the interior of your home!

Update the Kitchen

The kitchen is often called the money-maker when it comes to real estate. Buyers like to see a kitchen with new appliances and a modern look. They want to be able to imagine themselves eating, cooking and entertaining within the space. Therefore it’s a good idea to dedicate some time and budget to this if you can afford to.

Simple ways to update your kitchen might include replacing some of the older appliances or resurfacing the cabinets. If you are short on time or money to do these larger projects, focus on thoroughly cleaning the kitchen from top to bottom.

Light Fixtures

Ugly lighting not only detracts from some of your other improvements, but it says something about the legitimacy of the overall improvement process as this can represent a massive weak link in the chain. Replacing old light fixtures with newer, stylish models does more than simply update the look of your home. It also acts as a way to make the property more energy efficient.

Signalling to potential buyers that the lighting is energy efficient and environmentally friendly will likely go a long way in keeping them interested. Select lights that allow you to dim in the main living areas as this will help set an overall tone and this is something potential buyers WILL test as they walk through your home. By the way - bright lights are fine for task lighting such as in the kitchen and wet areas.

No matter where you live, you are competing with many sellers in the same position as you. So think smart about how you tackle your home improvements and you will add value to your property, enabling you to demand a higher resale value. Increasing the value of your home is within everybody’s reach, and the short term expense of doing so pays off in the long run.