Are you planning to sell your home in the near future? If so, it’s a good idea to think of some ways to help your listing stand out from the crowd. Even in a strong seller’s market, taking just a few proactive steps to improve the appeal of your house can get you a quicker sale and a bigger profit. Consider these five basic DIY renovations to up-sell your home.
1. Refresh Your Paint
A relatively inexpensive upgrade that can make a real difference is a fresh coat of paint. This is particularly true if your walls are looking a little drab or if the paint is chipping. Any rooms that are a bright or flashy color should also receive priority. Choose a light neutral color, and try to avoid trends. A classic shade appeals to more buyers, and light color can easily be painted over if they do decide to make a change.
2. Add a New Front Door
Another simple improvement you can make is to add a new front door to your home. The goal here is to make a strong first impression, so why not start when they walk in? This is where a bright or attention-getting color might be acceptable as long as you stay with the home’s style and character. A new door can make a wonderful and welcoming statement, especially if yours is damaged or outdated. Even adding new paint to your existing door could be of benefit if you’d rather not purchase another one.
3. Focus on Your Bathroom
If you’re wondering where to get a good return on your investment, it’s a good idea to start with the bathroom. The condition of the bathroom is important to most buyers, so this is a wise place to spend your money. If you want to make a big impression, you could install new flooring and wall tiles. There’s no need to invest in a luxury bathroom overhaul, though. Small projects add better value. Consider replacing a vanity and faucet, installing a new light fixture, re-caulking the tub, or even just changing the showerhead.
4. Increase Efficiency
Increasing your home’s energy efficiency is sure to impress potential buyers. That’s because they’ll know they can save money in the long run with a house like yours. There are lots of ways to do this throughout your home. Adding insulation in the attic, replacing old appliances, and investing in new windows are some ideas that can show buyers that your listing is a good investment. If you can’t afford new windows for the entire house, even just caulking the existing ones can make a difference. Just seeing the Energy Star endorsement on appliances like the water heater or refrigerator can be a signal that your home is more modern than the competition.
5. Decrease Clutter
Because we buy houses for cash in Los Angeles, we know that the best no-cost improvement you can make in order to sell your home faster is to get rid of the clutter and to de-personalize. Clean out the closets and storage spaces to make them look roomier. Organize with shelving, storage cubes, and bookcases. Now’s a good time to have a yard sale or give away items. Besides making more room in the house, you’ll also have less stuff to move once your home is sold. Perhaps remove excess furniture to give rooms a more spacious appearance. If you can’t give up your stuff, at least rent a temporary storage locker to store it while your home is on the market. Resist the urge to put your clutter in the basement or garage, as this defeats the purpose of cleaning things up. You’ll also want to de-personalize each room. Take down family photos, trophies, and awards or decorative items that don’t have universal appeal. Prospective buyers want to be able to picture themselves living in the home, and these steps will have them do just that.
These are just five ideas for up-selling your home. You can make a real impact with just a few easy-to-do renovations. No need to spend tons of money or invest a lot of manpower. Give these tips a try, and you’re sure to see results.
