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Some sellers tend to put too much money into fixing their homes before selling. They fixate on small details invisible or irrelevant for buyers, which means clients will not pay extra for these improvements. Before preparing a house to sell, homeowners should weigh the costs of the renovations around the house against the potential increase of the market value. In this article, we will focus on low-cost improvements that don’t require a lot of effort and commitment and boost the market value.
If you are asking yourself, “what should I do to my house before I sell it” you are on the right page. Below, you will see the most critical renovations around the house, which won’t cost you a lot, and at the same time, make your house much more attractive for buyers.
Work on the Landscaping
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Did you know that 71% of home buyers take the curb appeal into account when looking for a house? Curb appeal is the house’s face, making it an essential step in the list of things to fix to sell your house. Let’s look at quick and easy curb appeal improvements you can make.
- Plant some bright flowers. Perennials shrubs spice things up and make your lawn more colorful and enticing. It will not cost you much, yet it will create a homey and inviting look.
- Mow the lawn. Additionally, remove weeds from the lawn, water it, and apply fertilizer to make it look fresh and green. In combination with beautiful flowers, a nice green yard will ensure a “buy me now” appeal. Finally, make sure to mow your lawn before inviting potential buyers, so they see your house in the best possible condition.
- Add some trees. If your yard’s size and budget allow, consider planting a couple of trees like dogwood or red oak to add nature vibes to your garden. Try to complement the interior design with your exterior renovations by maintaining a similar color combination as well as types of wood.
- Illumination is a must. Finally, do not overlook the exterior lighting, which creates the first impression: 86% of potential buyers consider them essential. It can highlight your landscaping work in a more flattering way and make your house look welcoming with modern outdoor wall lights, hanging lights, and even garage lights.
Costs: a professional landscaping help will cost you $500 up to $3,000 depending on the work amount. If you have time and would like to keep it as cheap as possible, make the best home improvements for selling your house by yourself. Search on the web how to plant flowers and trees and fertilize your lawn; additionally, ask salespeople at Home Depot for tips.
Value increase: good landscaping adds 5% to 15% to the house market value.
Paint the Walls
A famous online platform for selling and buying property, Zillow, conducted research and stated that the best-selling houses were painted in blue light shades. This can help you make the right decision when purchasing paint for the walls to get a house ready to sell. However, it is also recommended to consult a specialist before painting, because colors can look different in various houses due to their architectural nuances and lighting. If you can’t afford to refer to an expert, at least ask your friends to help you get a fresh look at the premises since some things might go unnoticed for someone who has lived in the house for quite some time.
Costs: professional painting of a 2,500 square foot house would cost you somewhat $3,000. Alternatively, buy five gallons of paint, equip yourself with a paintbrush, and paint the walls yourself. At the very least, thoroughly wash the walls to get rid of scuff marks and dings.
Value increase: painting the walls can bring you 107% on the return on investment.
Renovate Your Garage
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Another instance of the list of how to prepare to sell your house is fixing and upgrading your garage. Do not underestimate its importance when renovating and make sure it is functioning properly.
First, replace the door with an automatic light one to make the garage safer and more accessible for children. Consider insulating the garage space to save up money on energy, especially in cold climates. Besides, install motion-sensitive light bulbs to brighten up space and make it more welcoming and cost-effective. Finally, add some electrical outlets to get ready to sell your house — it will not cost you a lot, but it will bring a lot of value for homebuyers.
Costs: depending on the amount of work needed, it can cost you up to $9,000.
Value increase: providing great garage space is an important enhancement before making a sale. A house without a functional garage will drastically decrease the market value. A new garage will nearly pay for itself by returning almost 100% on investment and making your property more appealing.
Remodel Your Kitchen
If the curb appeal is the face of the house, the kitchen is definitely its heart. That is why so many people value a neat and modern kitchen over other rooms. A complete renovation might be a great idea at first, however, it will cost you a small fortune, so how to get a house ready to sell by making cosmetic adjustments in the kitchen?
At first, apply a thick layer of fresh new paint to cover up marks and other imperfections on the cabinets, moldings, and entryways. Further, remove all personal items like artwork, photos, posters, and other memorabilia to let potential buyers envision their own design ideas. Additionally, replace old kitchen appliances with new ones to create a modern look. Purchase a new dishwasher, microwave, and oven. Alternatively, soak your countertops and stainless steel kitchen tools in vinegar to remove the unappealing vintage look and make them shine again.
Cost: try to keep it under $10,000 to ensure the return on investment.
Value increase: 80% of homeowners put the kitchen in the top three most important spaces. Consequently, a kitchen renovation will boost your house value. However, don’t spend too much on these improvements before consulting a specialist; you might end up losing money.
Repair or Replace Flooring or Carpeting
The floor would be the second thing the potential homebuyers will see after the exterior design. Make sure it doesn’t look worn and aged not to repel buyers on the first impression. According to Zillow, roughly 26% of home sellers decide to repair the flooring before selling, making it one of the best improvements to sell a house.
Visit flooring stores and purchase water-based products to renew different types of wood. Alternatively, invest a little more and replace the floor altogether, especially if your house has a lot of space. If you cannot afford a new hardwood floor, consider the carpeting option. Although the hardwood floor is more preferable, fresh carpeting will save you a ton of money and still look good and appealing.
Costs: flooring installation will cost you between $10 and $30 per square foot depending on the wood’s quality. For carpeting, expect to pay about $8 per square foot.
Value increase: hardwood floors can increase the market value by 3,4%.
Renew Your Bathroom
People love taking their time in a bathroom which makes it an important renovation on the list of what to do before selling your house. An old and moldy bathroom will be a definite turn-off for home buyers, so make sure to leave some budget for bathroom improvements.
Clean countertops or get new ones, replace old tiling with a new modern one, renovate the shower door, and purchase new shower heads to ensure good water pressure. Consider changing cabinets, sinks, and towel rack. Finally, replace a bathroom faucet in case of dripping and leaking as well as squeaking.
Costs: the estimated cost of renovation of a mid-range bathroom is from $3,000 to $12,000.
Value increase: bathroom renovation can increase your market value by 5,7%.
Ask for Help
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Renovating a house all by yourself is challenging and stressful as it is. On top of that, you need to keep in mind the value increase after the improvements and whether it will be worth the trouble. Luckily, there are experts with years-long experience who are ready to help you with both the improvements and cost estimates. STIGarageDoor is a company that specializes in garage doors that will discuss your concerns, conduct an inspection, prepare a thorough action plan, and provide you with an estimate. We are a reliable partner when it comes to house renovations, and we can answer all your questions about how to prepare a house to sell. Contact STIGarageDoor for more information and the first consultation.
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