Although it’s difficult to know which home improvements help a house sell faster, and for top-dollar, there are some that offer a better return than others. If you’re thinking of selling in the near future, it would be wise to evaluate any structural or decor changes with a view to future value as well as present appeal.
Some renovations are more appropriate than others. For example, look to the floor first. Welcome guests as they step into your home with natural stone or a dramatic tile floor that’s as beautiful as it is easy care. It’s a “value added” feature that will impress prospective buyers!
Look to the Kitchen
Buyers want kitchens that are bright and happy spaces, filled with great appliances, attractive countertops, and cabinets with abundant storage. You may replace your cabinets, or you may brighten and refinish old wood, repaint cabinet doors and add new hardware. If the style is outdated but the boxes are in good shape, consider replacing the doors, something a professional contractor can easily do.
A lot of sellers opt to replace outdated laminate countertops with a solid surface, either natural stone or a modern composite, for a trendy look. Add a shiny new sink with a modern stainless faucet/sprayer combination to immediately vault your kitchen into the 21st Century of style. Display pots of herbs on the windowsill!
Repaint the walls, replace vinyl flooring with trendy new wood floors, natural stone or oversized ceramic tile. Modern engineered wood is perfectly suited for kitchen use and will look beautiful for years to come. However, your newly refurbished kitchen might be tempting enough to make you change your mind about moving!
Whole House Improvements
If you’ve lived in a home for a number of years, it is easy to overlook small faults. Try to walk through each room with new eyes, or ask a trusted friend to point our areas that need attention. They might suggest you repaint some walls or even entire rooms. They also might recommend you lighten up your window treatments, or replace older mini-blinds with more modern wide-slat style, or switch to adjustable interior shutters that allow light as well as privacy.
Replacing round brass doorknobs with more modern stainless or oil rubbed bronze levers and updating a dining room chandelier with a contemporary pendant will make a world of difference.
It’s all about adding style without spending too much and creating a backdrop to stimulate a buyer’s imagination. The best advice is to update without stamping your own personality on each room. Neutral backgrounds are adaptable, but don’t overdo the “plain and simple” approach. Study online decorating sites and visit local paint stores and design centers for ideas.
Freshening up your home’s decor may take some thought, but it is by no means an impossible task!
Ryan Tollefsen is the founder and team leader of Unity Home Group. Ryan specializes in negotiating offers, marketing, managing the team, setting goals and achieving them.
