If you are getting ready to put your home on the market, there are some home improvements that you should be considering. The best home improvements before selling ensure that you get top dollar for your home. Of course, many sellers are not sure what the best home improvements before selling are. Do you focus on cosmetics? Should you do a complete kitchen overhaul? What are the best home improvements before selling to shore up the value of your home and get the best offers? Learn more now.
Why Make Home Improvements Before You Sell?
The main reason you should be making the best home improvements before selling is that those improvements can up the value of your home. By taking some time and making some improvements, you can make thousands of dollars (sometimes tens of thousands of dollars) more on your home sale.
Of course, you also reduce the risk of losing a sale because the buyer backs out when they discover that certain repairs or improvements need to be made. Buyers can be fickle when it comes to what they are willing to do to make a house their home. Addressing the best home improvements before selling puts the odds in your favor that you will attract qualified buyers that will follow through with the sale.
Finally, taking the time to invest in the best home improvements before selling can help you to sell your home faster. Buyers want that turn-key home where all they have to do immediately is move in. You will sell faster, and potentially get more for your house sale by making the necessary improvements before you sell.
Fix Up Your Roof
A leaky roof is going to scare away buyers. If your roof is in need of repair, it is essential that you get those repairs done before you put your home on the market. Qualified buyers will be highly attracted to a home with a great roof system. A new roof is one of the best home improvements before selling you can make.
A new roof or a highly functional roof pays for itself when you are selling your home. You can expect to get a return on your investment up to 25% in added value to your home’s asking price. A recent survey of potential home buyers found that “a roof in good shape” was a tremendous selling point. About 80% of respondents to the survey reported that they would prefer a home with a new roof over a home that was cosmetically pleasing.
Hire a roofing contracting company, get a new roof estimate, and you will be on your way to making one of the best home improvements before selling you can make. Fix your roof and get more value out of your home sale.
Renovate Bathrooms
Ask any realtor and they will tell you that kitchens and baths sell a home. Renovating your bathrooms will attract qualified buyers and get you a higher price for your home. A bath remodeler, post construction clean up service, and a small investment can get you high returns.
Bathroom renovation can be as simple as adding some new water fixtures, upgrading the flooring, and painting the walls. Experts estimate that the return on a bathroom upgrade can be as high as 15%. That is 15% more in resale value. Putting your money on one of the best home improvements before selling you can make, can up the sale price of your home by as much as $10,000.
If you do not have time or the inclination to do the upgrades yourself, it is worth the investment to hire a professional. Give buyers a freshly renovated bathroom to view and you will sell your home quickly and walk away with a nice profit.
Tend to Your Property
The first thing a buyer sees when they pull up to your home is the outdoor spaces. Curb appeal is vital to getting buyers interested in your home. Landscaping your property can add 12% to the resale value of your home. Clear away debris, hire a tree removal contractor to get rid of any trees that are dangerous or blocking the view, and plant some welcoming flowers and shrubs.
You can do most of the work yourself. Start by clearing away any “yard junk” that might be lying around. You want to make that right first impression. A beautifully landscaped front and backyard that is tidy will attract buyers.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Qualified buyers are looking for a turnkey approach to homeownership. They do not want to have to spend time on gutter cleaning. Clean gutters that are highly functional send the message that your home is well kept and maintained. If you do not have the time to manage your gutter needs, contact a professional. It is an important step in the process of getting your home ready to sell.
Of course, keeping up with gutter cleaning is one of the best home improvements before selling, and it is also one of the best ways to protect your roof system and your foundation. Every homeowner, whether they are selling now or in the future, could save themselves a lot of headaches by keeping the gutters clean.
Get HVAC Preventive Maintenance
If you are getting ready to sell, the last thing you want to happen is to have your heating and air conditioning fail. Professional heating and air conditioning services can help you avoid unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs when you are preparing your home to sell. A little preventive maintenance can go a long way in providing you with peace of mind and a highly functioning HVAC system.
Home buyers love to hear that your HVAC system is well-maintained. It gives them peace of mind to know that they are making an offer on a home that has a solid HVAC system in place. Of course, having a professional check out your HVAC system also gives you the opportunity to get any minor repairs done before you put the house up for sale so that you can offer a clean bill of health for your HVAC system to potential buyers. HVAC preventive maintenance is a win-win situation.
Water Heater Maintenance/Replacement
If your water heater is 15 years or older, you may want to consider replacing it before you list your home for sale. Any quality plumbing service can provide you with water heater maintenance and tell you if it is time to replace the water heater.
Water heaters typically have a life span of about 15-20 years depending on the model. If your water heater is getting close to its life expiry, you may be better off replacing it. Homebuyers often hire inspection services to check the systems of the home. A bad water heater could be a deal-breaker.
Upgrade Your Windows
New window installation can help to make your home more energy-efficient and attract the right buyer’s interest. In today’s economy, energy savings is more important than ever. New windows can reduce energy losses by 30%. Savvy home buyers consider new windows a big selling point. New windows can add about 16% to the resale value of your home, making it one of the best home improvements before selling you can make.
New windows can reduce energy costs, improve the aesthetics and curb appeal of your home, and get buyers interested. The right company will offer affordable window installation and easy terms to help improve your home and get it ready for sale.
Add Features Buyers Look For
Make your home more attractive to buyers that are willing to pay more by adding features that intrigue buyers. Adding solar panels will attract buyers that are interested in saving money on energy costs and that are committed to the environment. Making your home stand out from the other houses for sale by adding features that attract buyers can be a game-changer for how quickly you sell and at what price you sell.
For example, you can focus your energy on making your home “greener” with solar power, tankless water heaters, and energy-saving features. Low flow toilets and showerheads are also a good option and can be some of the best home improvements before selling you can make. Of course, you do have to consider the market in your area. Will buyers be interested in these features? Consulting with your real estate agent can help you decide if these types of features are going to draw in buyers.
The buyer market in your area should be the driving force behind which improvements you make. For example, a recent survey of homebuyers in New York found that buyers are highly interested in homes that offer multi-use spaces. Another survey done in Florida found that homebuyers are looking for homes that will keep energy costs down. That is not to say that buyers across the board do not want both things. You just need to know what features are most wanted in your market.
Spruce Things Up with Paint
Cosmetics matter when you want to get the best price for your home. Sprucing up the place with paint can go a long way in attracting buyers. Experts recommend that you stay with a neutral palette to attract buyers. Paint can be transformative and give your house that fresh, clean look that attracts buyers.
Making your house less personalized by painting the house in the same color throughout will give buyers a chance to customize the house as their own. It will help them to see themselves living in your home. Painting your house before you sell it will also present that turn-key move-in approach that buyers are looking for.
Declutter Your Home
One of the best home improvements before selling you can make is to declutter your home. Get rid of anything that is out of place. Take all the extra stuff to a storage facility. Clearing the clutter will make your home seem larger and will make it look well cared for. You want buyers to see your attic as a great storage space will plenty of room.
Ensure there are clear paths around your home for buyers to stroll through to take a look at the space. Clutter can deter buyers because it makes a home look smaller, and of course, makes it very hard for them to picture themselves living there.
Storing the majority of your goods before you list your home is an easy home improvement to make. Make sure that everything has a place in your home and the space is not overwhelmed with things.
Get Your House Deep Cleaned
There is no better time than before you plan on selling to hire residential cleaning services. A clean, tidy home will sell much faster at a higher price than a home that is cluttered and could use a good cleaning. While the spider webs in the corner of the stairway may not be something you notice, buyers notice them.
A professional cleaning team will clean your home from top to bottom, including ceiling light fixtures, appliances, baseboards, and all the other areas that do not get a lot of attention normally. The goal when you are selling your home is to give buyers the ability to picture themselves living there. It is hard for a buyer to imagine living in someone’s mess.
While hiring a cleaning crew to manage a deep clean of your home is not really a home improvement, it is still essential to getting the best price for your home. A clean space sells faster.
Investing in your home before you sell your home may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes you have to spend money to make money. There is a lot of money left on the table by homeowners that do not take the time to make the right improvements. Putting the work in before you sell will work in your favor, it is the smarter way to sell a home.