Things to Do Before You Sell Your Home to Increase Its Value
Are you planning on selling your home? Before you put it up for sale, you can do a few things to increase its value and make it more attractive to potential buyers. Below are some valuable tips:
Spruce Up the Curb Appeal
Make sure the lawn is neatly trimmed, weeds are pulled, flowers planted in beds, and sidewalks swept. Pressure wash siding and windows if needed. If any paint is chipped or faded, repaint it. Consider adding a new mailbox or giving the front door a fresh coat of paint to give your home an updated look.
Other ways to improve your yard include adding potted plants to the front porch, outdoor furniture to create an inviting living space, or a fire pit for those cool evenings.
Upgrade Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Most buyers will pay attention to your kitchen and bathrooms, so making sure these rooms look their best is key. Install new hardware on cabinets and drawers, replace the sink and faucets, or upgrade to granite countertops. In the bathroom, install a new vanity and showerheads, update the shower/tub area tile, and replace any old fixtures for a more modern look.
Add New Flooring
Replacing carpets with hardwood floors adds to your home’s value. If you don’t have the budget for hardwood floors, consider updating the carpet with a modern style or adding tile to the kitchen and bathrooms.
Make Necessary Updates and Repairs
Be sure to address any needed repairs before listing your house for sale. Fix leaky faucets, repair broken windows, and replace any old fixtures. Most buyers are willing to look past normal wear and tear but won’t be so forgiving if they find certain items in disrepair.
Do a Thorough Cleaning
A thorough cleaning is essential for making your home more attractive to potential buyers. Clean windows inside and out, dust ceiling fans and baseboards, mop floors, and scrub bathrooms. If you don’t want to do it yourself, consider hiring a professional cleaning service for a deep clean before listing your house.
Create Neutral Spaces
Potential buyers want to be able to envision their own belongings in the home, so make sure there’s little of your own personal style that could be distracting. Try to keep the walls, floors, and furniture neutral in color.
Declutter and Depersonalize
Get rid of excess clutter like stacks of books and magazines, old toys, extra furniture pieces, etc. It’s also essential to remove any photos or items that make it too personal. A sparsely decorated home gives buyers the impression that there is plenty of storage space and lets them visualize how their own items will fit in the house.
Focus on Lighting and Brightness
Cleaning is important, but lighting can make or break a sale. Make sure all the light fixtures are in working order, use higher-wattage bulbs for brighter illumination, and open window treatments to let in natural light. Make sure all windows are clean both inside and out to allow more light in. …