So, your family has outgrown the house. Now you’re having visions of moving into that dream home that’s been occupying your mind for years.
There’s just one problem. The real-estate market isn’t what it used to be, meaning that you may have to make a few simple renovations to increase the appeal of your home. Fortunately, research has shown that there are some key elements that draw home buyers in, and a few adjustments that can dramatically increase the value of your home on the market.
First, take a quick inventory of your home. Walk through it as if you’re seeing it for the first time. Make a list of odds and ends where your home could use some attention.
The Heart of the Home
The kitchen has been, and always will be, the heart of the home. Buyers often look in this room first to see if it meets their standards. They are often willing to compromise on other amenities to get an attractive kitchen. While replacing cabinets and counter tops can be costly, you can update the feel of your kitchen by exchanging old hardware, lighting fixtures and faucets to freshen the look of the room.
Keep in mind that new appliances will definitely give your kitchen an edge. If you happen to still be using that dishwasher from 1987, it may be time to spring for a new one.
Rub a Dub Dub
The three most noticeable parts of your bathroom are the toilet, bath tub and floor. If your floor doesn’t seem to get clean after a great deal of scrubbing, consider replacing it, even with inexpensive vinyl flooring. To brighten your bathroom, simply replace your toilet seat and bleach your tub grout with a laundry bleach pen. The cleaner it looks, the more appealing it will be to buyers.
Let There Be Light
The brighter the overall interior of your home, the more appealing and inviting it will be to potential buyers. Walk through the house and open all the windows, draw open the blinds and flip on the lights. If you notice a space or two with less than optimal lighting, consider adding a pendant lamp or some track lighting, both relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
Lastly, and often most importantly, brighten your interior with a quick coat of paint. The fresh coat can clean up your space and invite a more modern look.
What’s Under Your Feet?
With all the looking up you’ve been doing, you may have forgotten to see what’s under your feet. Evaluate the situation with the flooring in your home. Perhaps you want to consider updating the carpet in the main living areas of the home. Maybe you update the old laminate in the kitchen that’s starting to buckle. If new carpet and refinished hardwood floors fall outside your budget, rent a steamer or carpet shampooer to offset the aging.
Got Curb Appeal?
Outside of any online listing photos, the first thing a potential buyer sees is the front exterior of your home. Your interior may be fabulous, but it may never be seen if people aren’t wowed at the curb. Updating old shutters, replacing a worn front door and brightening up the yard with new landscaping can dramatically improve the view. The cleaner your exterior appears, the more likely those buyers will take the time to see what you have inside.
No matter what your intentions are – whether you plan to sell your home or spruce it up for your own enjoyment – always do your homework before starting any remodel or home renovation project. Create a plan and research the best and most reliable contractors for the job. Set a budget in place and ensure that your investments can pay off by increasing the value of your home.
As a wise mother once said, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.”