If you are planning to sell your home, you may be wondering if renovations will increase its value. The short answer is yes and no. You’ll rarely recoup the actual cost of most renovations, but that’s not the whole picture. A home that is decades behind in style won’t appeal to many prospective buyers and if significant repairs are needed, it may not sell at all. Marketing your home to the greatest number of potential buyers is the best way to increase your chances of a sale in a competitive market and a few simple renovations can make the difference. These are your top priorities.
Kitchens
Modern kitchens are the top of every house hunter’s wish list, but that doesn’t mean you have to toss the space and start from scratch. Expensive upgrades like solid surface countertops and new cabinets don’t offer the best return on investment. Instead, bring a dingy, dated kitchen back to life with a few quick fixes. Paint or reface old cabinets and add new hardware. The cost is minimal and the impact is huge.
One pricey investment that may be worth the cost is new appliances. Nothing makes an old kitchen look like it’s beyond hope than outdated appliances. Prospective buyers thrive on hope and an old range makes the space look like a lost cause. New appliances not only make a kitchen come alive, they assure buyers a big bill for a new refrigerator isn’t in their immediate future.
Doors
The front door sets the stage for buyer’s perception of your home. If it’s subpar, a sturdy new steel door will lend an air of security and importance to the property while recouping your investment. If the garage door isn’t up to snuff, replace it. For less than two thousand dollars, it provides security and adds aesthetic and functional appeal.
Floors
The only rule for floors is that if they don’t look clean after your best effort, replace them. Whether it’s vinyl, carpet, tile or hardwood, a neutral color in the best material you can afford is the best bet. If you’re not skilled at replacing floors, stick to the painting and hire a pro. Even the best flooring looks sloppy if it poorly installed.
The Entryway
The entryway is the easiest place to create an inexpensive visual impact. For example, hardwood floors are hot, but if you don’t have them, it will cost a small fortune to install it in large rooms. But in a small foyer, the cost is negligible and it screams potential, even if the rest of the house is a bit lackluster.
Everything Else
Take these steps to make your home look like a million bucks — or at least, the asking price.
– Put fresh, neutral paint on the walls.
– Swap out dim yellow light bulbs for soft white models that are more forgiving to defects.
– Repair loose doorknobs and squeaky hinges.
– Clean the windows.
– Put a shine on sinks and fixtures.
– Make the bathroom spotless and spring for a new, light-colored shower curtain.
– Remove window treatments that make the space too dark.
– If it’s broken, fix it.
– Clean like you’re expecting the Vanderbilts.
It’s going to be work, but the good news is that when the for sale sign goes up, you’ll have some cash left in your pocket and still be ready for a quick sale. The bad news? After all that work, you may not want to leave!