The real estate market is massive in the United States. We all know the effects that the housing crash in 2008 caused on the country’s economy, as well as the world’s, so it is easy to see how lucrative this sector can be. It is also one of the biggest investments that you will make in your lifetime. Buying a house can be an exciting venture, especially if it is your first home.
In the same way, selling your home can be a crazy experience as well. You have to prepare your home for potential buyers to entice them to make the purchase. This probably means that you will be doing a lot of cleaning and repairing to prepare for pictures, showings, and an inspection at some point.
Getting the most profit that you can is a big part of the process. Maybe you are trying to purchase your next home and this sale will help with your down payment. Or perhaps you are downsizing and want to take a nice chunk of money from the sale to use for some much-needed vacation or retirement funds. Whatever your reason, getting the most bang for your buck is crucial. To maximize the resale value of your home, here are some changes, both big and small, that you can make in the months and years leading up to your sale.
Updated Siding
The canvas of the exterior of your home is the siding. It takes up the most square footage and is one of the first things that will be noticed by potential buyers. Is it old and starting to fade in color or acquire mold? Are there any sections that are falling apart, compromising the integrity and insulation of the house? New siding options may be more energy-efficient than the old selection, which is an attractive feature for buyers who want to save on utility costs. If you have the budget to invest in larger changes, maybe it is time for some stucco remediation and replacement when this material starts to collect moisture and cause damage. When you invest in new siding, buyers will see that you have cared for the property and that you have made it more energy-efficient before the sale.
Fresh Coats of Paint
If you have lived in your house for years, normal activities may have led to some paint colors fading over time, both on the inside and outside of your home. Many sellers will throw on a fresh coat of paint to give it a better look, but don’t just start painting so that everything looks new for a few months. Take the time to ensure it is the right kind of high-quality paint and use a process that will make it last. Some sellers will skip steps and purchase cheap paint just so that it looks good for a few months to make the sale. You can go above and beyond by adding a fresh coat of quality paint on the deck, in the family room, or on the kitchen cabinets.
Spruce Up the Garden
Gardens can create a sort of oasis for homeowners while incorporating more nature into the outside of the property. When you are selling a house, curb appeal becomes extremely important. How do other people perceive the property when they walk or drive by? Do they think that it looks warm and welcoming or cold and uncomfortable? A garden can go a long way toward boosting curb appeal, enticing buyers to take a second look at your home. If you need some inspiration for turning your garden into a beautiful oasis, check out these backyard landscaping ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Just make sure that your garden stays well-maintained, especially during the sales process. Remove the weeds, keep up with watering the plants, and throw on a layer of mulch to make it look fresh.
New Fixtures
The fixtures in your home may be a key selling point that tips the balance in favor of the sale going through. Quite often, fixtures are neglected when homeowners are making changes to boost resale value. The right upgrades can convince buyers to make the purchase, so consider replacing the various fixtures in your home. You could get new sinks/faucets for the bathrooms, new lighting to highlight positive features or a toilet that functions better than the old one. With these upgrades, you are sure to catch the eye of potential buyers who want a home that is ready to move into.
Don’t Be Sloppy
As mentioned before, some sellers may put in a cheap or quick effort to make their home look nicer before the sale. But what if that cheap paint you used starts to chip before the buyer makes a decision? What if one of your old fixtures happens to break and results in a leak in the middle of a showing? If you take shortcuts to improve the resale value of your home, it could backfire and turn buyers away. Take the time needed to do these projects well and with high-quality materials so that the look and functionality of your home are accurately reflected by the price.
