Even in a seller’s market, it’s important to maximize your home’s value when you decide to list it for sale. There’s no need to invest thousands in room remodels when several affordable improvements will boost your home’s appeal and value.
Every realtor will tell you the importance of cleaning and de-cluttering. Make sure the landscaping is tidy, the rooms are clean and free of clutter, and the furniture is well placed for showings and pictures. We call this staging, and it’s vital to helping potential buyers see themselves living in your home. But some homes will need a little extra work before you can confidently list at the price you’re hoping to get.
Following are 4 great Do-It-Yourself home improvement projects that will boost your home’s value and attract more buyers:
1. Update the Bathroom Vanities and Toilets
How often do we really think about the vanity in our home’s bathrooms? As a functional room, the bathroom doesn’t always get a ton of attention. But updating these features will present your buyers with a shiny, clean, modern aesthetic. Bathrooms are tough to remodel, especially if there’s only one shower in the home. If potential buyers believe they’ll have to go without a working bathroom in order to get it up to date, they may pass on the house. By replacing the vanity, sink, and toilet, your bathroom will look attractive and functional. Of course, if the bathtub and shower are in rough shape, it may be necessary to go ahead and update that as well. But sometimes, a modern shower curtain will make all the difference.
2. Paint the Kitchen Cabinets
Painting the kitchen cabinets used to be a DIY home updating secret in the real estate world. Not anymore. Now, everyone seems to have caught on to this simple trick to refresh your home’s kitchen for the market. There’s no need to replace counters or appliances. Many buyers will want to make these updates later anyway. But by painting your cabinets and swapping out the handles or knobs with modern hardware, you’ll give potential buyers a great blank slate. Even though this is a DIY project, make sure to take your time with it! Sloppy paint, especially in a room with plenty of natural light, will have the opposite effect on buyers.
3. Add Flooring
Flooring can be replaced easily and inexpensively to enhance the look of your home. Since many home buyers update a home to the flooring they want, there’s no need to go all out on fancy floors. A simple product that looks clean and neutral will update your halls, kitchen, bathroom, and other hard flooring areas to achieve better offers. We always recommend a laminate or vinyl plank, and we’ll even help you pick a good style! Unless they are non-neutral colors, don’t go through the effort of replacing carpets. Once again, the buyer may change them on the day after settlement. What you really should do, though, is have all of the carpets professionally cleaned so that they look their best. If you have pets, this carpet cleaning will clear stains or odors that can potentially turn off sensitive buyers.
4. Update Lighting and Plumbing Fixtures
When was the last time you looked up at your lighting, or changed the faucets and shower head in your bathrooms? Once again, it’s something we don’t often think about in a home we’ve been in forever. But modern fixtures can really update the overall look of the home. Update lighting fixtures in any high traffic areas, and swap out faucets and shower heads to simple, modern styles. We typically recommend brushed nickel finishes as a neutral option that looks clean without being too shiny.
Good Help is Easy to Find
If making these updates on your own is way out of your wheelhouse, it’s easy to get help. Most local handymen are more than willing to take care of these kinds of projects. Just make sure you or your realtor know the reputation of anyone coming into your home, especially if you won’t be there while they work.
If you know your house needs some tender loving care before you list it, contact us to get started. At 1SlickHome.com and The Geoff Slick Team at Keller Williams, we are your partner for the entire sales process. We’ll make sure you know exactly what to update, what contractors to contact, and how to get it done in order to get the best offer for your home. Getting your home ready to list doesn’t have to be a nightmare. We’re right here to help you through it! We represent buyers and sellers all over Montgomery and Bucks Counties, and beyond. If you’re looking to sell in Lansdale, Quakertown, Doylestown, Souderton, Harleysville, Collegeville, or Chalfont, give us a call today at 267-222-2473.
