6 Ways to Boost Home Value Before Selling It

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If you’re thinking about selling your home, you’ll want to get as much for it as possible. Moving is hard enough without wondering if parting with such a huge piece of your life was even worth the trouble. In order to find out how to increase the value of your home, we spoke with Realty Management Associates for advice. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make sure you come out on top. Here are some important tips for maximizing your home’s value before putting it on the market.

Cleaning

home cleaning
Remember that you’ll only get one chance to make a first impression. A bright, clean home is simply more attractive than a dull, dingy one. However, for this to work, you’ll need to make keeping a clean house a priority.

First, keep an eye out for minor maintenance issues before they become major problems. Next, give the house a thorough cleaning to get rid of any dust or dirt that has accumulated. Mold is a particularly nasty nuisance when allowed to grow unchecked.

Remember that removing clutter also counts as cleaning. Clutter accumulates the same way dirt does. By keeping junk lying around, you’re actually costing yourself money, in terms of what you might be able to get for your home if it wasn’t there. You’ll notice that when you have a cleaner-looking home, you’ll feel better about showing it off to potential buyers.

Creating Space

One of the biggest factors in determining the value of a home is size. However, the size people perceive isn’t always determined by its measurements. There are some inexpensive things you can do to make the rooms in your home seem larger than they are.

Begin by clearing out clutter. The more clutter you have, the more cramped space is going to feel. Replace heavy drapes with vertical blinds to let in more light. Sunny rooms appear larger and more open than darker rooms. Also consider adding a large mirror, since this can give the illusion of more space in a room.

Paint

home painting
Painting is one of the most cost-effective home improvements you can employ. Fresh paint has the effect of making rooms look clean and updated. In the eyes of a potential buyer, this can translate to added value.

When choosing colors, stick to neutral ones, since they’re likely to appeal to a larger audience. Don’t let your own color preferences get in the way, since the visitor with the greatest potential to buy your home may not share your taste. Paint doesn’t cost very much, so you should have plenty of money left over for rollers, tape, and brushes.

Landscaping

home landscaping
You’d be surprised at the effect poor landscaping can have on the appearance of a home. Poorly maintained trees and bushes can obscure views of it, darken the interior, and even promote mold. Unfortunately, people tend to forget about trimming their trees, which can cause them to grow out of control.

If the idea of paying for a landscaping job doesn’t appeal to you, you’re not alone. After all, you’re trying to make improvements that will bring in money, rather than cost money. However, you can take some comfort in knowing that a good landscaping job can rake in a 300 percent return on your investment. That beats losing potential buyers who might otherwise take one look and move on.

Ask an Agent

Don’t forget how valuable the opinion of a real estate agent can be, with regard to home improvement. They know what sells homes and a good one can tell right away what would help or hurt your sale. Invite an agent over to take a look at your home to see what they would recommend.

You can also get with an interior designer for this purpose, but they will probably charge you a consultation fee. Most real estate agents will do this as a courtesy since they will likely want to work with you. Don’t be afraid to compare real estate agents by getting several opinions. Selling your home is a major decision that should not be taken lightly.

Get a Home Inspection

Keep in mind that not all home improvements are cosmetic. You may have more serious problems in your house than you’re aware of. Outdated electrical systems, deteriorating roofs, and termite infestations can strike a major blow to the value of your home.

A home inspector will check out areas within your home that aren’t necessarily visible. If there are hidden problems, they’re more likely to find them than anyone else. Even water leaks and other minor issues can turn into expensive headaches, the longer you wait to get them fixed.

Any of the tips above can help increase the value of your home, but you’ll get better results by combining them. Remember that you should never be in a rush to sell your home. A good real estate agent can help you put together a comprehensive selling plan, based on improvements that would offer the best return.

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