Looking to sell your home? Here’s how to add value to your property before listing it
A lot of people talk about how buying a home is a major life decision since it requires both a large financial commitment and a lifestyle commitment. It comes with costs that go well beyond monthly mortgage payments (think regular maintenance and repairs) and a plethora of responsibilities and changes that are going to impact your life in the long run. Therefore, it’s a move that deserves careful consideration before taking the leap.
However, selling a home is an equally critical decision as purchasing if not even more so. Parting ways with the place you’ve called home and relocating is not just an intense experience that can make you run the whole gamut of human emotions, but it’s also an endeavor with major financial implications, not to mention all the stress and preparations that can last months or even years until you find the right buyer. This means you have all the reasons to take your time and calculate things thoroughly.
So, if you intend to sell your home in the near future or you simply want to increase its value and get it ready for when the time comes so you can sell it for more money, here are some things you should consider doing before putting your property on the market.
Improve the curb appeal
A lot of homeowners focus on beautifying their home’s interior that they completely forget about the impact that the exterior of the house can have on buyers. You should never underestimate the power of the first impression. The way your property looks from the outside is the first thing that prospective buyers lay their eyes on when they come for a viewing, so you need to make sure they are thoroughly impressed in a positive way. Giving your driveway a good power wash every now and then and tending to your garden can make a huge difference to its curb appeal.
Since your home’s exterior is constantly exposed to the elements, you should also focus on regular maintenance and measures that can keep it in good shape for longer such as cleaning out the gutters, inspecting the roof, protecting your porch with exterior wood preservatives, or giving your house a fresh coat of paint.
Expand square footage
Adding more space to a property is always a good idea, both from a lifestyle and a financial perspective. Extra square footage is not only going to enhance your home’s value, but it’s also going to make your life a lot more comfortable until you decide to sell and move to a different property.
Usable space is one of the most important factors taken into account when calculating a property’s value, so adding an extra bathroom, expanding the kitchen space or building a new guest room can boost your home’s value and functionality.
It’s true that home additions don’t come cheap and they also involve a fair amount of effort, but the outcome is certainly worth the time and money investment. Besides, if you don’t have the financial resources to get the job done, you can always apply for a small loan to supplement your funds.
Invest in energy efficiency features and appliances
Any improvements that can make your home more energy efficient and lower your utility bills are more than welcome. While you live in your home, these upgrades will help you reduce your monthly expenses and save money in the long run. When the time comes to sell, this will make your property more appealing to potential buyers.
These days, advances in home technology bring a plethora of appliances, fixtures and household equipment, so it would be a shame not to take advantage of them and the benefits they provide. From LED light bulbs and solar panels to smart thermostats, there are lots of devices that can help you boost your home’s energy efficiency.
Technology aside, there are other ways to make your home more energy efficient, such as adding external wall insulation, changing windows and doors, doing some drought proofing and so on.
Declutter, clean and organize
While most home improvements require you to dig deep in your pocket, there are certain upgrades that won’t cost you a dime. Regular decluttering sessions, a good cleaning and keeping your home tidy and organized are some of the inexpensive tasks that can have a big impact in terms of boosting home value.
All it takes is some patience, determination and a few cleaning products and organizing solutions and you’re all set. However, if you’re preparing your home for a viewing and want to make a good impression, you can splurge on professional cleaning instead.
Revamp your kitchen and bathroom
Market data clearly indicates that the kitchen and the bathroom make up most of your home’s value. A spacious kitchen with a nice layout and a good-sized modern bathroom are bound to increase your home’s selling price.
Unfortunately, these two rooms are also subjected to intense wear and tear since they are the most used spaces in a house, so remodeling them might be in order if you want to make your home look perfect for selling. And if you can’t afford a full remodel, a few tweaks and improvements like adding extra storage space, or sprucing your kitchen and bathroom floors with an interior wood treatment is a great idea.
Bottom line
Selling your home can be both a stressful and an exciting time in your life and you should prepare thoroughly for the event. So, make sure to take these tips into consideration and prep your home before you put it on the market if you want to sell quickly and get a good price for it.
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