According to a survey, sixty-five percent of homeowners in the U.S. believe that the value of their home will keep rising over the next ten years. However, while the condition of the house is something that you can rectify, factors like the location, popularity of the area, and economic conditions at the time of sale are out of your control and will affect the value.
Introduction: Increase Your Home Value
If you are planning to sell your house, undertaking home improvements will make a big difference in its value. Upgrades should not be done on an impulse, but with a proper plan and budget in place. For every dollar that you spend on home improvement, nearly seventy-five to eighty cents go into increasing its value. However, installing a pool or a lavish master suite will not yield the same returns on your investment.
If you are planning to sell your house and eager to make a profit, you will need to work out a planned home improvement project and get down to it. Jeff Stewart from HomesInMeridian.com says that when selling a home, you’ll want to take the necessary steps to increase the value of your home. Given below is a checklist that will help you with your home improvement project.
Get it Certified
Generally overlooked, this is a good way to start if you are planning to sell your house. Prospective buyers would like to know if a certified home inspector has looked at the property. A certified home will always be more valuable than an uncertified one.
Improving the Interior
A fresh coat of paint works wonders in improving the value of your home. However, remember to go for neutral tones that will appeal to a larger audience of potential buyers. If you are working on a tight budget, paint rooms that are used more frequently as the kitchen and living room.
Most people like houses which are airy and let in light. Think about installing a skylight or increasing the size of the windows. Installing energy-efficient lights and dimmer switches will attract potential buyers without incurring too high a cost.
If your budget permits invest in new appliances. Buyers look at old appliances as items that need frequent and costly repairs. If you cannot get new appliances, get the old one’s services and remove any rust marks from the surface.
Remove old carpets, worn out, cracked, and broken tiles. Polish the floors and remove any scuff marks. Paying attention to small details will get you big benefits.
Improving the Exterior
Make sure that your windows have insulation to protect against heat and cold. Installing double-pane windows may be expensive, but it will improve the value of your house. Your front door is the first thing a prospective buyer will notice. A fresh coat of paint will do wonders for the look. Upgrade your siding if required with vinyl siding. This will increase the value of the house as it helps with insulation and thus reduces heating and cooling costs for the buyer.
Work on the Garden
A well-groomed and landscaped garden will definitely attract the prospective buyer’s attention. Make sure the lawn is mowed, hedges trimmed and bare patches taken care of. Add flower beds along the walls of the house, maybe even a small fountain. Ensure that the path is clean and there are no loose areas which can be a potential accident hazard. Paint the mailbox or install a new one. However, remember to keep your garden simple. You do not wish to give an impression of high maintenance, high-cost garden to the buyer.
Timing is Important
Never put up the house for sale till you have completed all the improvements planned. Before you put it up for sale, check and re-check all areas. Make sure that all nooks and corners are clean. Hire a professional service for housecleaning if required. Ensure that all electrical connections are working and in good shape. Remove traces left behind by your pets and keep all toys in their respective places. Keep personal items on display to a minimum. You would want the prospective buyers to see themselves living in the house, which is difficult if the place is packed with your personal items on display.
It is worth remembering that the maximum interest in your house will happen within the first two weeks of it coming on the market. Make sure that you are available to answer any queries that a prospective buyer may have. These small improvements will ensure that both you and the buyer will walk away feeling happy and satisfied with the deal.