If you’re thinking about selling your home, a big part of the discussion is balancing what improvements to do what won’t bust the bank, especially if you don’t have a bunch of cash to dump into renovations you won’t get to enjoy.
In today’s vlog, we’ll go over 5 tips that each can cost under $500 that you can knock-out in one weekend and a trip to your local store!
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Neutral paint is going to be your #1 best return on investment!
Get out your tarp, beat-up jeans, and best Bob Ross impression–It’s time to paint! No, you don’t have to paint your entire house. In fact, you might already have some touch-up paint to cover some of the inevitable scuffs and scratches you’ve accumulated over the years. (We’re big fans of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers to help get rid of any unintentional mural-making from the kids.)
You’ll want to focus on changing the color of any strong, non-neutral colors or anything that sticks-out too much. At the time we’re writing this article, greys are on their way out giving way to warmer, earthier tones. You can always ask your local paint shop for what colors are gaining in popularity.
Fortunately, the price for improvements go down significantly from here.
Switch to daylight LED bulbs for a brighter, more open-feeling home!
Whose bright idea was this? Almost every home buyer says that they want a bright, sunny space. Yet, a lot of them are looking at homes on evenings after work when the sun is setting (especially in those winter months). So why not bring the daylight around the clock?
Replace all of your home’s lightbulbs with LED daylight bulbs like these (or these if you have dimmable recessed lights). They may not be the ideal lights while you’re living there, but they will make your place feel bright and sunny, regardless of the time of day or weather.
By default, many homes have warmer, red-hued lighting which can be more relaxing and easier on the eyes. However, home buyers want to feel like every inch of the home is well-lit, and the brighter, cooler daylight bulbs will do the trick!
Replace hardware for an instant home update!
Screw this. Literally. One of the subtle things that makes a home feel outdated is the hardware. Starting with the kitchen and bathrooms, a simple replacement of the cabinet pulls, towel racks, light switch plates, and doorknobs to modern-looking, brushed-nickel like these or rubbed bronze like these can make a house feel more updated than it actually is.
If you want to take it further, replace any boob lights (my preferred term, not the technical term) with either something more modern or rustic depending on your market’s prevailing aesthetic.
Power wash to level-up curb appeal!
Curb appeal will be the first impression people get when they see your home in person. Even if the interior is impeccable, a mossy, grimy, dirty patio/fence/siding/etc will immediately feel like a home that hasn’t been well-cared for. A simple power washing can do a lot to refresh a home. You can either buy one (also works well for washing your car) or rent one. Just be careful when you’re working anything with wood or a sealant as you could be blasting away weatherproofing.
Storage makes your home feel like a model home!
This one’s last because it’s one of the parts people like doing least, but it just may be the most important step. You want de-personalize your house and declutter as much as possible. When a buyer walks through the home, you want them to have enough space to imagine themselves making your home theirs. They should be thinking about where they would be putting their stuff, not wondering what’s behind yours.
A lot of people try to throw everything into a room, basement, or garage, but almost every time, it will feel like the seller is hoarding or hiding. Fortunately, there some some companies like U-Haul, Pods, and SpaceMaker Mobile Storage (a local company) that will give you a seamless storage & move solution.
Final thoughts
When the market favors the sellers, it doesn’t make sense to go overboard with improvements and renovations unless it’s absolutely necessary. In fact, you might be eliminating buyers from your pool by going overboard with costly renovations and remodels.
Instead, you can focus your time on little things you can do yourself and do everything you can to prevent your contract with a buyer from falling apart by avoiding the 3 key areas where buyers back out. Fortunately, we’ve developed an iron-clad program to get the absolute best offers in our market.
We’re always here for you! Schedule a time to chat with us at your convenience so we can go over your options!