If you are planning to sell your house in the near future, you will want to take the steps to get your home ready for the market. Sometimes, it just takes some cleaning, minor repairs and home staging to make your house show ready. However, there are other bigger investments you may want to consider. These upgrades and renovations can dramatically increase the resale value of your property. They will help make your home more appealing to today’s buyers, which can increase the offers and maybe even spark a bidding war.
Here are some of the best renovation ideas for home sellers:
Focus on the Kitchen and Bathrooms
These are the most used rooms in the house and they are the rooms that catch the eyes of potential buyers. Other living spaces are easier for someone to come in and decorate however they want. Bathrooms and kitchens have set fixtures, floor plans and cabinetry. If these rooms look out of date or feel run-down, you will have a hard time getting good offers. Renovations, refreshes and upgrades can work wonders in these important rooms.
Make the Necessary Repairs
If you know the house has any significant problems, you should address those before you list it for sale. Leaky roofs, cracked foundations, plumbing issues, worn-out carpet, etc.—take care of these important repairs if you want to get better value out of your property. Any obvious problems will hurt your ability to sell the house. Any damage you try to hide will be uncovered during home inspections and will probably delay the sale. Don’t overlook minor fixes and repairs, as well. Tighten up loose door knobs, fix leaky faucets and don’t let little things turn off your buyers.
Energy-Efficient Upgrades
Today’s home buyers love energy efficient appliances and features. Consider upgrading dishwashers, water heaters, refrigerators, ovens/stoves, washers/dryers and air conditioning/heating systems. Install a smart thermostat. Make energy-efficient upgrades that home buyers will value.
Embrace Technology
Speaking of a smart thermostat, that is just one small example of how you can upgrade your home with modern technology. Again, buyers will love advanced gadgets and features. Upgrade wiring and fixtures for home entertainment systems. Install home security and interactive doorbells. Think about wired and wireless integration to keep the whole family connected throughout the home.
Home Office and Gym
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a massive increase in remote working and schooling. Home gyms are also more popular than ever. Convert unused spaces into nice home office areas and/or home gyms. These features will definitely add value in today’s real estate market.
Remodeled Living Spaces
Multi-generational living is another trend that has increased greatly as a result of this pandemic. Make more living spaces for larger families. Remodel basements, attics, storage rooms and garages into bedrooms or separate living suites. Even if the buyer doesn’t have a large family, they may want to use these areas as Airbnb rentals.
Exterior Improvements
Improve the exterior presentation and features of your home. Refresh the landscaping or make the house look better with a good power-washing or new paint job. Clean up the lawn and lay down new seed or sod if necessary. Add on or upgrade porches, patios or decks for outdoor use. Repair or replace anything that is old, outdated or damaged. If your house looks bad from the outside, buyers may not be interested in seeing what’s inside!
Some of these upgrades, repairs and renovations will be expensive. Some will be relatively cheap. It’s up to you how much time and money you want to spend preparing your home for sale. Any of these ideas will increase the potential resale value of your property while also providing less complications during the closing process. You may even want to consider a home pre-inspection before you list. An inspector can point out areas of improvement. Your real estate agent and a professional home stager will also have some great recommendations for your specific property. Listen to their advice and make the investments that will pay for themselves—and then some—when you ultimately sell the house.
If you are getting ready to sell your home, contact The Cyr Team today for a no-obligation listing consultation. We’ll be happy to help you explore ideas that will help you maximize your property’s resale value.