Are you thinking of selling your home and are looking to increase it’s value? Below, we offer a few tips and discuss some simple upgrades that can be done to improve your home’s value. We also talked with local real estate agent Katrina Evans about her tips for getting your house ready to show.
Paint
A fresh coat of paint is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to boost the feel of a room or home. If you have peeling or cracking paint, breathe new life into a room without breaking the bank.
Maintenance and Care
This may seem simple, but fixing the little things around the house can really go a long way. For instance, consider replacing any burnt out light bulbs, broken light switches and plugs. Fix that leaky faucet, and make sure to replace your furnace filters. These are all small things that can really go a long way.
Upgrade Lighting and Electrical Devices
This one can cost a fair amount of money, but it doesn’t need to. Replacing old incandescent light bulbs with new LED bulbs can make a big difference in quality of light and energy efficiency. LED bulbs are quite a bit brighter than incandescent bulbs and can make a small space feel bigger.
If you can spend a bit more money, you may want to upgrade any dated light fixtures as well as the bulbs. You can get new fixtures with LED bulbs at your local home store that can really update a space without breaking the bank on a new chandelier. Another option would be to add new LED, recessed lights into a space. They’re relatively inexpensive for how they can change the tone of a room, or add light to a dark area. You may also want to replace dated or faded light switches and receptacles. Keep in mind, if you replace these devices you may need Tamper Proof or GFCI receptacles to comply with updated code. If you have any questions, please contact us or a local, qualified electrician.
Flooring
If you have pets like us, you will know that pets and hardwood floors are not friends! Before you sell, you will want to get rid of any scratches or dents in your flooring. Instead of completely replacing your scratched hardwood floor, look into getting it refinished. If you do need to replace flooring, there are nice laminate options available that are very durable and cheaper than hardwood.
Renovations
If you’re looking to spend some money and renovate, consider where you may see the biggest return on your investment. Typically, renovating your kitchen or bathroom(s) will give you the most value, but they can also be quite costly upgrades. You may also want to consider finishing your unfinished basement. It doesn’t need to be a fancy basement, but if it’s a clean and usable space, that may be all a buyer needs. Especially if they are looking for a move-in-ready home.
Curb Appeal
First impressions of a house can totally set the tone before a potential buyer even steps inside. You don’t need to have an award- winning yard, but mowing the lawn, removing weeds, and keeping the yard tidy are a must. Make sure your outside lights are working and bright. This isn’t a big deal during the daytime, but in the evening, this will make a difference. A fresh coat of paint can also do wonders for curb appeal. Its relatively inexpensive, but can make a home look and feel fresh.
