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How to add value to your home

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

For sellers their main priority is getting to dollar for their home. However, sometimes they find it difficult to add value to it. It’s important to keep in mind that not all remodeling and maintenance projects are measured equally, because some don’t increase the value of your home. Some may even just provide the same return on investment.

Here is a list of remodeling and maintenance projects that tend to increase the value as well as attract more buyers; 1. Updating electrical and plumbing 2. Bathroom Remodeling 3. Kitchen remodeling 4. Interior & Exterior Painting 5. Outside maintenance.

When sellers really think about what buyers are looking for, it’s easier for them to understand why these improvements bring increased value. Moving into a home that needs major or even minor electrical and plumbing issues can be a real headache.

During the inspection period, other things also might come up. Buyers study the inspection report and most of the time ask the seller to fix the issues or reduce the estimated cost from the sales price. If you know there are issues it’s best to be a step ahead and get those taken care of. This way the buyers don’t have reasons to reduce the price.

Bathroom remodels are projects that are usually often long overdue. It may be that a bathroom is very small, and might need expansion. Or maybe just a couple small maintenance repair such as fixing a leaky faucet or toilet. Some owners don’t like the idea of remodeling their bathroom to turn around and sell their home. However, fixing those issues ahead of time is always a good idea. If you're thinking of staying a few more years in your home, then it’s good to think about a bathroom renovation, since this is to your benefit. That way you can enjoy it in the meantime and then recuperate the expense when you do decide to sell. Be very careful when purchasing materials, don’t go for the trendy look or patterns that are in style now, this will eventually give the bathroom a dated look in the years to come.

The kitchen is the heart of the home. A remodeled kitchen attracts nearly everyone, even those who don't cook! Again, remodeling the whole kitchen to then instantly sell is not in the budget for most sellers. However, simple things can definitely liven up the place. Try new paint on the kitchen walls and throughout the house. If remodeling the whole kitchen is out of your budget you can try resurfacing the cabinets or giving them a good cleaning, also you can change out the hardware and securing any loose doors. Then finally clearing all the clutter from the shelves, cabinets, inside the pantry and refrigerator will help make the kitchen feel cleaner and look bigger.

 

The exterior of your home is the first impression buyers get when they go see your home, so the outside maintenance is one of those things that is a must do. Curb appeal matters a lot. If your home doesn’t look inviting on the outside, chances are, buyers will be less receptive to see it. It might sound unfair but that’s the way it goes. So, make your home as charming as possible this will help attract a lot more buyers.

Comments (1)

John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Adam - Thanks for the very valuable tips for how to add value to a home.

Jul 21, 2015 07:25 AM