We've been doing a lot of things real estate these past couple of weeks, between training and working with buyers and sellers, it's kept us busy. That got us thinking, as the selling season in spring and early summer approaches, what could a seller be doing now that will increase their homes value or make it more attractive to potential buyers. We thought we'd put a list together of some of the items that don't cost a fortune that sellers can do now.
Most real estate agents like us will tell you that updated and well kept kitchens and baths are the best improvements you can make to your home, but does that mean that you have to do a complete renovation in your kitchen or bath? Definitely not, and few little touches might make the difference to that potential buyer.
1. Care and maintenance
Before you think you need to overhaul your bathroom, look no further than to fix a leaky faucet or clean and re-caulk the tub to give it a nice polished look. Those simple fixes will go a long way into improving your space for potential buyers.
Realtor.com puts a list together of home maintenance tasks you should tackle each month, and February's list was a good one. Click here to see some of the items you might want to tackle this month. We particularly like number two on the list, the laundry redo, come check out our easy and simple decor ideas that can add a special little touch to your laundry room.
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Monthly home maintenance guide for January
Monthly home maintenance guide for January
If are looking to do a full bathroom remodel, check out some of our ideas we've pined on our bathroom board.
2. Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is a must! It's the first view those potential buyers will see, and you want it to be perfect. A weekend of pruning and clean up of your existing landscape is one of the easiest and no cost things you can do. You can also spend a few dollars on shrubs and flowers to bring a fresh bright appearance to your landscape. When going to your home improvement store, think green! Purchase plants that fit your climate and weather, plus the care is much easier. You want to wow the buyers before they even walk in the door.3. Paint, Paint, Paint
Paint is another great and low cost way to bring new life to your house. You don't necessarily have to paint the whole house, but cleaning up and re-touching the paint to get rid of scuff marks and dings is a great and inexpensive way to spruce it up. If you do choose to re-paint a space or add some color, make sure the color is neutral, it will appeal to the widest variety of potential buyers.
4. De-clutter and keep it clean
As a mom with a couple of kids that can be a daunting task, but one that will go a long way in providing the best first impression for buyers that walk through the door. Make sure to dust and wipe down all the surfaces of your home and decor, and don't forget those harder to clean items like the ceiling fan or light fixtures, items that you don't get every clean.5. Let in some more light
A light, bright, and airy feel is what those buyers are looking for when walking into your home. This doesn't mean you have to replace all or some of your light fixtures, but a few tips and tricks will help your space look lighter and brighter. And more light makes your space look bigger!
1. Replace those low watt light bulbs with brighter and more efficient LED light bulbs
2. Open up those blinds and let the natural light in
3. Add dimmer switches to certain areas to create a mood or ambiance
4. Consider replacing an outdated light fixture with a new model for an updated look
OK, so we've got some of the simple and easiest ones done, but what if you are thinking of doing a big remodel project, what can you expect to see in your home's value for your hard work and money.
Here is a list from Money.usnews of the renovations that bring the biggest amount of return on your investment.
Entry door replacement: 96.6 percent
Deck addition (wood): 87.4 percent
Attic bedroom: 84.3 percent
Garage door replacement: 83.7 percent
Minor kitchen remodel: 82.7 percent
Renovations that yield the smallest return:
Home office remodel: 48.9 percent
Sunroom addition: 51.7 percent
Bathroom addition: 60.1 percent
Backup power generation: 67.5 percent
Master suite addition: 67.5 percent
If you are thinking about putting your house on the market or just want to know what your home might be worth, post a comment and we'll get you the information you need.
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