Are you confident that you can sell your home quickly and close to your asking price? Are you worried that your home will live on the market for years or that you will lose money trying to get rid of it?
These are concerns that plague many homeowners before they place their property on the market. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take (from changing the light bulbs to replacing old wallpaper) to increase the value of your home and the likelihood that you sell it quickly.
Minor Updates That Increase the Value of Your Home
Before you place your home on the market, create a list of upgrades that potential homeowners would want that could increase the resale value of your home. Not only will these small projects make your home worth more (making them almost completely worth the investment), but they’ll also help your home sell faster because it will seem more desirable and move-in ready.
These don’t have to be massive projects either. Examples include: replacing old, dingy carpet with a new layer or removing old wallpaper and painting your room’s neutral colors. This lets buyers focus on the actual house instead.
Update Older, Broken Appliances
Just because the only thing you know how to cook is a bowl of cereal doesn’t mean the people buying your home aren’t going to spend a lot of time in your kitchen. Not only do older appliances tend to function poorly (with less energy efficiency that drives up utility bills), but they also run the risk of breaking completely. While many home warranties cover broken appliances, no one wants to deal with that right when they move them.
If you want to spruce up your kitchen without doing a complete remodel, consider upgrading the appliances (oven, stove, and refrigerator) instead. These are quick fixes that require minor installation and can appeal to many home cooks. Whoever buys your home can add their own personal flair to the kitchen but will keep the top-notch kitchen appliances.
Create a Positive First Impression With Landscaping
Your yard is the first impression your home gives to potential homebuyers. It will either excite them about what they’re about to see or make them worry about what the rest of the house will look like. Spending a weekend weeding, pruning, and replanting can open up your home to a positive first impression and welcome people inside.
Of course, landscaping isn’t always aesthetic. You might need to remove some trees in your yard if they pose a threat to the house in a storm or if they’re getting eaten by termites or beetles. Fortunately, this step will also add more sunlight to your home and entice people to come inside.
You might not want to spend too many dollars if you’re looking to sell it in a hurry, but taking these steps to increase the value of your home and give you an edge in a competitive real estate market. It might just give you a better deal than you had hoped for.
