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How to Increase Home Value Without Going Broke

Reblogger
Industry Observer with Retired

Upon first arriving at your home, the first thing a homebuyer's eyes generally focus on, is the landscaping, front door, and how appealing the home is to the eye.

Original content by Myrl Jeffcoat

http://www.myrljeffcoat.com


First Impressions

Upon first arriving at your home, the first thing a homebuyer's eyes generally focus on, is the landscaping, front door, and how appealing the home is to the eye.  Throwing a little fertilizer on the lawn, pruning overgrown trees and bushes, and adding colorful flowers, is an inexpensive way to get bang for the buck on a home sale.  Ditto for painting the front door if it needs it, and for adding colorful plants in decorative containers near the entry.

 

Have the Home Inspected

Almost all home sales will require a Termite Inspection and possibly a Home Inspection.  The findings on these reports can reveal problems with the home, which will likely need to be fixed anyway, or result in a decrease in home value during a sale.  Addressing those problems up front can add value to a home.  For example I remember a seller who had a termite report performed.  It was discovered that the bathroom had significant drywall damage behind the shower/bath stall, and also bathroom floor damage.  By replacing the flooring with new tile, and performing the dry wall and plumbing repair, followed by beautiful new tile, the bathroom looked significantly improved.

 

The Over Decorated Home – Less Can Be More

It is not uncommon to live in our homes, and accumulate a collection of knick-knacks and other items, that represent little creature comforts or nuances to our lives. Sometimes we acquire furniture and hang onto it even though it reduces the appearance of floor space, or may be a tad dilapidated or old.  I am often amazed that Home Stagers pretty much clear out a house, re-decorate or arrange furniture, with far less furniture, and clutter than before.  Less is usually more!

 

What About That Kitchen?

Are the existing cabinets in your kitchen, dingy, or not adding to the Wow factor of your home?  Consider painting them to provide a fresh look.  There are numerous paints that provide great transformation for old cabinets.  Recently, I visited a home where the homeowner had lightly sanded the cabinets, applied a slate blue color stain, which added a truly delightful appearance to the room.  The kitchen floor had been covered in old vinyl and had dry rot beneath near the dish washer.  The floor was replaced with a really sharp looking slate gray wood laminate. As appealing as the new cabinet color and floors were to me, it is also important to consider colors, if you are planning on marketing your home.

 

Extra Dining Space

When I purchased my home a number of years ago, I worried about the size of the dining area.  My family is large - There are children, their spouses, and grandchildren.  Several years ago, I put in a patio with nice patio furniture, and created much more space to entertain.  Gatherings at my home almost always press that area into use.

Posted by

Roy Kelley, Retired, Former Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Gaithersburg, Maryland  

Comments (16)

Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Please be sure to leave comments at the original blog by Myrl Jeffcoat

Dec 20, 2016 03:38 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This reblog was not posted at the scheduled time. Evidently, the scheduling feature is broken again.

Dec 20, 2016 03:38 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

This has been an excellent choice for a reblog today.

Dec 20, 2016 03:49 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Great re=blog to share with all Roy..thank you.

Dec 20, 2016 04:05 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you for reblogging this post. I hope others will read it too and learn from it.

Dec 20, 2016 04:06 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for your comments. It is always good to hear from you.

Dec 20, 2016 04:16 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Roy! Helpful hints to get it sold without going broke! Enjoy your day!

Dec 20, 2016 04:56 AM
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

Good morning Roy Kelley all great things to improve the saleability of the home. It is something I write about in my blog very often.. First impressions start at the curb and shoudl carry through when you step into the home... and yes, less IS more... de-clutter it will make the room look larger.  The kitchen is probably THE most important room in the house... make sure it shines!!

Dec 20, 2016 05:58 AM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Roy Kelley 

 

Good re-post. First impressions and being prepared are very important.

 

 

Dec 20, 2016 06:34 AM
Kate Talarico
Kates Home Staging and Interior Design - Goshen, NY
RESA, Top Orange County Home Decorator & Stager

Great re-blog!  I agree with every suggestion.  Happy Holidays Roy!

Dec 20, 2016 09:59 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Thanks Roy.  This is an excellent choice for a re-blog.  Great information.

Dec 20, 2016 04:23 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Your comments are always welcome and are very much appreciated.

Dec 20, 2016 04:28 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Some of this is my real estate 101 by now, but many homeowners are clueless. 

Dec 20, 2016 06:48 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Any agent loves a property that is ''prepared'' for sale. Those are sold quickly and in these days with multiple offers. 

Dec 20, 2016 11:22 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Wednesday evening to all. I hope you are enjoying a most productive week.

Dec 21, 2016 04:32 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Sunday evening to all. Dolores and enjoyed our Christmas dinner with family members. Have an outstanding week.

Dec 25, 2016 06:42 PM