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Tips On How To Increase Your Home Value When Looking To Sell Your Home

By
Mortgage and Lending with Meadowbrook Financial Mortgage Bankers Corp. NMLS ID # 9659

The time is here! So let's add some value to your biggest investment.

Many homeowners use the spring season to begin working on home improvement projects that they have been contemplating and planning all winter, but anytime is great to start your project. You can spend endless amounts of money on remodeling your home; this report will show you much more cost effective ways to make your home look better to a prospective buyer. Before you pick up that paint brush or get out those hedge clippers, here is some expert advice on which home improvement projects will add the most value to your property.

REPORT

If you want to make your home look better to potential buyers, here are some great cost effective ways to do that without breaking the bank. Sometimes doing an expensive remodeling job really won’t do too much in terms of increasing the value of the home since all the similar homes in the area are already at that price range. Try these:

Spruce up The Landscaping: First impressions can have a significant impact in the value of your home. Landscaping plays a major role in the outward appearance of the property. Research indicates that your return on investment (ROI) can be as high as 200% in some markets. The front yard is the first thing a prospective home buyer will see, make sure to make a good first impression. Mow the lawn, get rid of weeds and make sure the flowers and trees are looking healthy. People love to relax in their backyards, make sure yours looks good. So trim those hedges and trees to allow more natural light to reach the house. A fresh layer of mulch can also work wonders to enhance appearances.

Get Rid of Clutter:

Even if your house has tons of great stuff; consider removing it when you are selling a house. A home with less clutter that is well organized makes a home seem larger than it is.

Make the Bathrooms Shine: The bathroom and is one of the most important and heavily trafficked rooms in your home. Remodeling experts and realtors both agree that major bathroom improvements offer an outstanding cost to value ratio. Even simple improvements like replacing old fixtures, installing new towel racks, and removing stains from sinks, bowls, and tubs can all significantly improve the appearance and value of the home.

Get a kitchen makeover: The most important aspect of a kitchen is that is designed to look open and spacious. Darker flooring and wall coverings should be redone in lighter colors. The same can be done with countertops and cabinets. This will make the space look more open. New hardware for the cabinets and drawers can further improve appearances. Making sure the faucet works properly and looks to be in excellent or new shape is also very important.

Curb Appeal: Making your house look better on the outside can go way beyond landscaping efforts. New doors, windows, shutters, and shingles can make your home look even more attractive to potential buyers. Power washing the exterior walls and a fresh coat of paint will most certainly improve the appearance of the house. Remember, outside appearance and St Impressions are very important to potential buyers.

New Curtains and Blinds:

Blinds and curtains can fade very quickly and can make a room look older then it is. The best part is replacing them can be very inexpensive.

Improve the energy efficiency: There is a direct correlation between improvements in a home's energy efficiency and increased resale value. Replace outdated furnaces or air conditioners. Fix any leaky faucets or running toilets. Use weather stripping to eliminate gaps under doors. Buyers are willing to spend more today for better energy savings in the future.

Update Outlets and Switches:

This might seem like a small thing, but sometimes small things go a long way. Updating old styles outlets and switches can make your home look newer than it is. Look into dimers which give someone more lighting options than just the on/off option.

 

Getting Brighter Light Bulbs:

Brightening up a room can really make it look better and larger. Also think about getting energy saving bulbs since it can be used as another selling point in the home.

Wood Trim:

Adding wood trim is a quick and easy way to make your home classier. Many new high end home have wood trim.

 

Clean you’re Carpets:

If you have carpets a good idea is to rent a carpet cleaner and do it yourself. A good cleaning can almost instantly make the carpet look and smell fresher. If your carpet is in worst shape you can get a professional cleaning service, it is still cheaper than replacing it.

Interior Excellence: Many times the interior impression of a home has an even bigger impact on potential buyers than the curb appeal. A fresh coat of paint or new wallpaper can make a house look brand new. Most painting and wallpaper projects can be done yourself or with minimal outside help. Make sure you don't forget about those ceilings. Replacing worn or 'not so nice looking' carpet or flooring will also have a big impact on appearances and resale value.

Remodeling and improvement projects can definitely increase the value of a home. The most important thing to consider, before deciding on which project to undertake, is the cost-to-value ratio. You want to make sure that the increase in the value of your home is maximized compared to the labor and costs associated with the project. Any renovations that bring your house up to par with the rest of the houses in the neighborhood are always good ideas. Try to stay away from projects that will make your house the most expensive or dramatically different from other homes in the area. Careful planning and research is all that is necessary to ensure that you get the highest return on investment possible for your home improvement project.

 

Posted by

 

Edward Gilmartin
CRE - Boston, MA

I found buying some nice yard furniture and using it to make your backyard comfortable and an extension of your home helps too.

Sep 27, 2013 10:29 PM
Nikitas Kouimanis, Mr Mortgage
Meadowbrook Financial Mortgage Bankers Corp. - Westbury, NY
Call Mr Mortgage @ 516-206-0000

Yes, your absolutely right Edward, that can’t hurt.

Sep 27, 2013 10:45 PM
Bahman Davani, CM at Texas Five Star Realty, Plano, TX (214) 457-7055
Texas Five Star Realty, Plano Texas - Frisco, TX
Homes for Sale in Plano, Frisco, Prosper, Allen TX

Personally, I was the buyer, I wanted to a move-in and appealing house. So, your list is great for ideal case. If the seller has limited budget, it could postpone expensive and non-visual repairs/replacements such as changing furnaces or air conditioners.

Sep 27, 2013 11:33 PM
Jimmy Faulkner
Florida. Homes Realty & Mortgage - Wantagh, NY
The Best Of St. Augustine

Edward: Great points to help someone sell their home inexpensively. Doing the small things alwasys helps a sale and keeps the price of the home competitive. Curb appeal is one of the great ways.

Sep 28, 2013 12:13 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

All the improvements are for not if the marketing is basically local, if the presentation misses out on the sparkle, does not make it to the mediastreams. Market harder, further, longer for a larger audience, quicker sale, more exposure.

Sep 28, 2013 01:12 AM
Kelly Young
The Platinum Group Realtors - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Real Estate ~ 719-226-0126

What great ideas. I would add curb appeal with possibly painting your front door and/or maintenance of your garage doors, gutters, front porch or walk.  Simple is usually better and use your listing agent for ideas on what to do and not do.

Sep 28, 2013 03:12 AM
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

These are some great tips.  Thank you for the blog post!

Sep 28, 2013 11:44 AM
Nikitas Kouimanis, Mr Mortgage
Meadowbrook Financial Mortgage Bankers Corp. - Westbury, NY
Call Mr Mortgage @ 516-206-0000

Thank you all.

 

Sep 28, 2013 10:46 PM
Andrew Payne Realtor® Richmond VA Homes For Sale~804-938-5257~
Piedmont Real Estate - Richmond, VA
Richmond, VA, Real Estate, SRES®, NAR Green

These are all good tips.  Hopefully, more sellers will put themselves in the shoes of buyers!

Sep 29, 2013 01:45 PM
Ralph Gorgoglione
Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA
California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407

Nikitas, you have identified some very valuable enhancements that have a rather large impact on the overall home sale as well as a strong return on investment. Good blog!

Sep 29, 2013 04:20 PM
Nikitas Kouimanis, Mr Mortgage
Meadowbrook Financial Mortgage Bankers Corp. - Westbury, NY
Call Mr Mortgage @ 516-206-0000

Thank you

Oct 02, 2013 04:59 AM