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Selling? Top Areas to Upgrade Your Home

By Kim Gaston

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage Realty FA100041320

November 27, 2011 02:14 AM

Selling? Top Areas to Upgrade Your Home in Colorado Springs, CO

The main rooms of influence when selling your home should all be “show ready” and upgraded in order to compete for the highest offer in your market. What are those? Living, dining, family, kitchen, and bathrooms should present as if a buyer could move in tomorrow. And, most critical, is your curb appeal.

Take a look at your home from the street with a fresh pair of eyes. Put yourself in the Buyer's shoes. Would you want to walk up and go in?

Here's what changed: new paint color on front door, neutralize trim, add inexpensive landscaping (rock and edging), change out street numbers, fix mailbox. Wintertime does mean less color, but consider adding native grasses or small pines in pots to add texture.

Next up: Kitchen

Base-grade, "cherry-glazed" cabinets (not the species of wood, but a similar look) and a stainless appliance package are budget-priced items from a big box store. Warehouse-priced granite (check online for local resources), recessed lighting (please take the fluorescent light box out, it immediately dates the room) and fresh paint instantly returns the investment tenfold.

Less than $200 - change out the ceiling fan for a contemporary pendant.

Yes, the walnut overhead storage is an eye sore, but can be quickly turned into a positive with glossy, white paint and new hardware. New toilets, clean-lined vanities, faucets and light fixtures can each be found for $100 - $200 at your local home supply store.

These examples are obviously more appropriate for a low-budget remodel. Its highly recommended to consult with your REALTOR BEFORE making any upgrades. The value of your home, the local demographics and your location will all play a critical role in determining what is necessary to compete. A REALTOR's expert advise will guide you in making those smart and frugal choices, so you can receive the biggest bang for your buck.

Cheers to a successful sale!

Kim Gaston

Home Stager, Interior Redesigner, Color Consultant

- delighted to style Colorado Springs and the Front Range community.

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Ralph Gorgoglione

Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA

California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407

some great tips here.

I'm not exactly sure what "cherry glazed" means, though.

Nov 27, 2011 02:28 AM

Bonnie Jean Hart

Home Smart Professionals-La Quinta, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Indio, CA - Indio, CA

Bonnie J. Hart - 25+ yrs Exp - Real Estate - L

Kim,

Good advice and nice staging! Staging is a fun part of my career. It's always nice to list a home that is already staged perfectly but when they aren't ready for that first impression I start going room to room and making a list.

Thanks for sharing!

Bonnie

Nov 27, 2011 02:29 AM

Kim Gaston

RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Ralph - "cherry glazed" is a nice alternative to achieving the same look as cherry wood, but a cheaper species of wood is used with an upgraded stain. Easier on the budget. Thanks for visiting.

Bonnie - Thank you. I agree its important to start with a list and prioritize!

Nov 27, 2011 02:37 AM

Gayle Barton, Forsyth County Real Estate

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties - Cumming, GA

Cumming GA Homes For Sale (404) 710-0204

Great budget friendly updates Kim. It's amazing what just a change of color (bath cabinet) can do!

Nov 27, 2011 02:46 AM

Wayne Johnson

Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX

San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Kim-Can't discount better quaility photos either. Whether it's the camera, camera operator, lighting or some combination of all, better pictures go a long way to helping in marketing a house.

Nov 27, 2011 03:12 AM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

No doubt about it Kim - the transformations are not only very affordable, they make a huge impact on how this home will show. It's now updated, beautiful and has great curb appeal! I love that pendant light fixture - you did an amazing job! I subscribed to your blog and look forward to seeing your work!

Nov 27, 2011 04:06 AM

Kim Gaston

RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Thanks, Gayle. If you can't replace, paint!

Wayne - absolutely. Well-lit, quality photos should be a given, right? I just invested in a new Canon for around $200 that does a better job than the old camera I used for these photos. Thanks for your advice.

Thank you so much, Kristine! The pendant is from Lowe's (they have a decent lighting dept. here). I've enjoyed reading your blog and learning about staging in your neck of the woods!

Nov 27, 2011 05:12 AM

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging

Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR

"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Kim ~ these changes are excellent examples of cost-effective improvements in a modest home for sale. Buyers need to see that move-in ready look or they'll leave to make an offer on one of the many competing properties available. And you're so right about curb appeal being so important -- the changes in your example are excellent.

Nov 27, 2011 08:02 AM

Kim Gaston

RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Thank you, Maureen. I appreciate your feedback. Buyers tend to over inflate home improvement costs. It is hard to output more cash just to get your home market ready, but there are budget-friendly options.

Nov 27, 2011 08:14 AM

Sally Weatherley

EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC

Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Kim - It's so true that kitchens and baths can be updated on a relatively small budget. Love the tips and advice you've mentioned here - they are spot on. Painting out those dated oak cabinets that we see everywhere is cost-effective and really makes a way better first impression.

Nov 27, 2011 09:56 AM

Kim Gaston

RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Thanks, Sally! It seems like such a simple fix to you and I. Personally, I love the fresh look of white cabinets, but I've seen some hesitation from homeowners who feel the look of "wood" is better - no matter how dated.

Nov 27, 2011 01:05 PM

Janet Jones

Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI

Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Kim--great information and great photos to demonstrate your points. Sellers should understand that there are many low-cost improvements they can make that will return on their investment and help them sell more quickly.

Nov 27, 2011 05:15 PM

Kim Gaston

RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Hi Janet, thank you. You're exactly right. Sellers can consult with their Realtor and a professional Home Stager to determine which improvements should be the priority and how much to allocate so they don't over-improve.

Nov 28, 2011 12:02 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Kim- excellent examples and it's important that sellers know it doesn't have to be a fortune! The results are well worth it in giving the key rooms a fresh updated appearance.

Nov 28, 2011 04:58 AM

Kim Gaston

RE/MAX Advantage Realty - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs REALTOR®, CNE (719)661-6987

Thanks, Kathy. I'm kind of on a budget-conscious kick for the next couple of blogs...seems to be the way things are here.

Nov 28, 2011 09:49 AM