Smart Home Upgrades
Even if you aren’t ready to list your home, a few smart changes can make a big difference in adding to your home’s value and maybe lift your spirits as well.
If you want to increase the appeal and profit potential, strategic and budget-friendly home improvement ideas in these six categories will offer the biggest return on your investment.
A budget-friendly kitchen remodel
Real estate agents will tell you time and again: Kitchens and baths sell houses. Dated kitchens don’t impress buyers. Make yours as inviting as possible, without the big price tag of a total overhaul.
Replace basic black, or white appliances with stainless steel.
Ditch the laminate counter tops in favor of granite. Make your decisions with budget in mind: choose one of the more affordable granite options.
For appliances, try to find a deeply discounted appliance at an outlet or local “scratch-and-dent” store — where almost-perfect pieces come with perfectly approachable price tags.
An even cheaper option for a quick refresh is by painting, or repainting tired cabinetry and update the hardware. Dramatic changes for under 100.00. Choose colors and styles that will appeal to a broad range of potential home buyers.
Bathroom Upgrades
When it comes to bathrooms, most buyers want updated and clean. Replace the tile with a modern subway-tile, or one of the porcelain tiles that offer a more modern finish.
Replacing that pre-fab tub surround with a tiled shower costs about $1,000 but makes a big difference.
As with a kitchen remodel, consider which changes will give you the greatest impact. You may not need to replace that old pedestal sink. Instead, you could change out the faucet.
The same goes for quirky floor tile; choose a new paint color that will enhance it rather than clash with it. Make sure the colors and styles you choose are as universally appealing as possible so buyers see a space they can live with.
There’s relatively no cost for scrubbing that bathroom from top to bottom till it sparkles.
Pick neutral paint colors
Paint still reigns supreme as the easiest and cheapest way to refresh any room, especially if you do the work.
Whites and neutrals can help buyers envision themselves in the space, since they provide a blank slate to serve as a backdrop. Stay away from bold accent walls, or taste specific colors. Lighter earth tones look good with most decorating styles and brighten the room.
Make an impact with flooring
Like paint, quality flooring can drastically change the look and feel of your rooms. Hardwood is always appealing to a wide range of buyers, as are high-quality laminate options and affordable ecofriendly choices like bamboo and cork.
If your home is hiding hardwood floors under that carpeting, let them shine if they’re in good condition. If you already have hardwood floors, sanding and refinishing can bring them back to life.
Kitchens and baths gain value with tile or laminate flooring, which are both visually appealing and easy to clean.
Carpeting is still acceptable in bedrooms, especially if it’s plush, in great condition, and in a neutral color. But more and more buyers are turning away from carpeting altogether.
Even a basic snap-to hardwood installation can beat out wall-to-wall carpeting when it comes time to sell.
Consider home staging
Staging your home helps buyers imagine themselves living in the space, and it’s a relatively inexpensive way to dress up features you’re trying to highlight.
The first step is clearing the entire home of any clutter and removing any overly personal touches like family photos or children’s artwork.
Furniture should be minimal and arranged in a way that flows well. Buyers will feel claustrophobic if they need to navigate around big pieces as they move from room to room.
If you can, bring in a professional home stager or interior designer to consult on the ideal room arrangements. Otherwise, use the following tips for a DIY approach.
In each room, place furniture so it feels open and inviting. In the living room, seating and tables can be configured into social and conversational areas, while placing an armchair in an empty bedroom nook will frame it as a cozy reading spot.
Never forget the impact of lighting. Bright lighting will make spaces seem larger, so turn on those lamps, and make sure your decor and artwork enhance their surroundings rather than distract from them.
Depending on whether you need to add, subtract, or rearrange, staging shouldn’t cost very much at all, especially relative to how much of a boost it could give your home when it comes to bringing in buyers and helping your home sell quickly.
Amp up your curb appeal
Don’t neglect your home’s exterior. If buyers don’t like what they see on the outside, they may never go inside.
Ensure walkways are clear, the landscaping is neat and tidy, and everything is in good repair. This may require more substantial repairs like repainting or replacing siding, repairing loose shutters, and sealing those cracks in the driveway.
Or it could be as simple as mowing the lawn, raking the leaves and placing a few colorful annuals to make sure nothing looks bare or neglected.
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