Photograph Courtesy Of Brendel Signature
Selling your home takes a great deal of time and effort to complete. One of the first things that you must think about when considering whether you should sell your home is the home upgrades that you can do to get you a better price on your home. Unless you are Martha Stewart, there is no way that your lived-in home is in good enough condition to sell as is and still get a good price for it. Some home improvements can be a great investment in your home while some others are nothing more than a waste of money. Here are some easy home upgrades that will contribute to getting you a better price on your home.
Focus On Low Cost Improvements
The first things that you should focus on is any low cost improvements you can do to increase the value of your home. Simple things, like repainting, repairing minor damage, and ensuring that all the switches and sockets are in good condition, can go a long way towards making your home more appealing to a potential buyer. Take a close look around your home. If you notice anything abnormal, broken, or out of place, there is a good chance that anyone viewing your home will notice it as well.
Increase Curb Appeal
Anything that increases the curb appeal of your home is a good investment when you are trying to sell your home. The front yard and front of the home should be in top-notch shape before the home is listed for sale. Planting nice flowers around the front porch and replacing your dated front door might mean the difference between someone viewing the home from the street and electing to come in and see the rest of the home. Getting the buyer in the door is the first step in convincing them that the home is right for them and worth the price you are asking.
Declutter Your Home
Another inexpensive way to increase the appeal of your home for buyers is to declutter your home before you begin showing it. Potential buyers want to see a home that they can make their own, not one that is crammed full of the memories of the previous owner. If you have a large amount of stuff scattered throughout your home, get rid of the things that you do not need anymore and ship the rest to a storage facility until you have secured your new home. Create a peaceful, orderly home environment that is not overwhelmed with your style and you will find that buyers are much more receptive to your home.
Join our newsletter
Subscribe to get the latest "Engineer Your Finances" content via email.
Painting, decluttering, adding seed to the lawn, and trimming the bushes and trees. All are very cheap and simple yet can have massive impact on who you might attract and what they might be willing to pay for your home.
Renee,
Some people love to have their kitchens renovated, but its not 100% clear to me if that yields all the value that often gets put into it.
Thanks,
James
James, According to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs Value report, a midrange minor kitchen remodel recouped around 72.1% of the amount of the investment. However, the seller must keep in mind that the kitchen is one of the first things that potential buyers look at when they view a home and is one of the most used rooms in a home. A dated, unattractive kitchen might be a dealbreaker that the rest of the home cannot overcome.
It is amazing to me how many people pour big money into projects to increase the value of their home right before they sell it. So they take on a big renovation project like a kitchen or bath remodel. Often a few minor projects can really spruce up the value of a home. My wife and I have a natural aversion to clutter so that isn’t ever a problem for us but so many people get comfortable with it. Clutter costs you dollars.