Best Home Improvements To Make Before Selling Your Home

Home Improvements to Make Before Selling

Making smart home improvements before listing your house for sale can have a big impact on how quickly it sells and for how much. The key is focusing on renovations and repairs that give you the best return on investment.

Key Takeaway

Aim for renovations that make your home more livable, functional and neutral rather than over-improving for your personal taste. Cosmetic updates like painting and landscaping paired with repairs to your kitchen and bathrooms will appeal to the widest range of buyers.

As a realtor with over 10 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how strategic home improvements prior to listing can make the difference between a home sitting on the market for months or selling within days of being listed.

Here are the top renovations and repairs to consider before putting your house on the market:

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Landscape & Curb Appeal Sets the Stage For A Buyer

Remember, first impressions matter. Your home’s exterior and landscaping are the first things potential buyers notice when they drive up. A well-maintained, welcoming exterior paves the way for buyers to be excited about what they’ll find inside.

Some of the best curb appeal upgrades include:

  • Fresh coat of neutral exterior paint. Stay away from bold colors. Soft grays, tans and whites have the widest appeal.
  • Attractive front door. Consider a fresh coat of paint or new door entirely. This is the focal point of your home’s exterior.
  • Well-maintained landscaping. Neatly trimmed bushes and trees, edged walkways and a healthy green lawn.
  • Potted plants or flowers by the front entrance. Adds color without the maintenance of garden beds.
  • Updated exterior lighting. Ensure your home is well-lit for evening showings.
  • House numbers and mailbox. Make sure these are visible and not worn or faded.

Spending a weekend on DIY landscaping and exterior upgrades like these can make a dramatic difference in your home’s curb appeal for a relatively small investment.

Neutral Interior Paint Colors Are a Must Upgrade

Nothing updates the look of a home faster than fresh interior paint in neutral colors. It’s one of the best ways to make your home appeal to the widest range of buyers.

Aim for soft whites, grays, tans and light blues rather than bold colors or dark hues that can be polarizing. Remove any outdated wallpaper as well.

Pay special attention to painting the kitchen and bathrooms since buyers scrutinize these rooms closely. Also consider repainting cabinets and trim work to give them a refreshed, like-new appearance.

Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations Bring Big Returns

The kitchen and bathrooms are where buyers want to see repairs and updates. These are spaces homeowners spend a lot of time in, so they should be highly functional and reflect current trends.

Even modest repairs  to these rooms can yield big returns when you sell. Some top options include:

Kitchen:

  • New countertops
  • Refinished or new cabinets
  • Updated appliances
  • New sink and faucet
  • Fresh paint on walls/trim

Bathrooms:

  • New vanity/counter
  • Updated tilework
  • New tub/shower surround
  • Fresh paint on walls/trim
  • New fixtures

Focus on creating a clean, neutral palette in these rooms rather than bold colors or patterns that may turn buyers off.

Refresh Floors & Update The Tiles for a Like-New Feel

Old, worn carpeting and floors make a home feel dated. Replacing carpets and refinishing hardwood floors goes a long way towards making your home look fresh and new.

Shoppers associating worn floors with deferred maintenance and extra costs down the road. They want turnkey homes that are move-in ready.

New carpet can be installed relatively affordably throughout most homes. For hardwoods, a simple refinishing is often all that’s needed to restore their beauty.

Declutter Every Room & Deep Clean 

The quickest way to make your home feel spacious and well-cared for is by removing clutter. Pack up little used items and strictly edit your belongings.

Clearing countertops, coffee tables and other surfaces also enables buyers to picture how they would decorate and use each room.

Also clean out closets, pantries, the garage and basement storage areas. Rent a storage unit if needed to remove excess furniture and belongings prior to listing your home.

Make Minor Repairs & Mend Light Fixtures

In my experience as a realtor, home inspectors have an eagle eye for spotting any flaws or needed repairs in a home. Stay one step ahead by taking care of minor issues before listing your home.

Some common things to address include:

  • Cracks in walls/ceilings
  • Sticky/squeaky doors and windows
  • Loose doorknobs, cabinet handles
  • Leaky faucets
  • Burned out lightbulbs

Showing your home is well-maintained builds buyer confidence and prevents haggling after the inspection.

Skip Costly Renovations

While repairs  can improve your home’s salability, bigger projects like additions or luxury bathrooms may not give you the return on investment you expect.

Your goal is to have your home priced competitively with other listings in your area. Anything you over-improve may not yield enough increased value in buyers’ eyes.

Talk to a realtor to understand the market and make sure expensive renovations make financial sense. Minor upgrades are often the better investment.

Highlight Energy Efficient Features

Today’s buyers prioritize energy efficiency to save on utility bills. Any upgrades you can make to insulation, windows, appliances or HVAC systems will be attractive selling points.

Be sure to call out any improvements like these in your listing to catch buyers’ attention. Providing home energy scores or past utility bills also demonstrates efficiency.

Even basic upgrades like buying Energy Star appliances, installing a programmable thermostat or adding extra insulation in the attic can pay dividends.

Consult an Expert In Home Improvements Projects

As a realtor, I always advise sellers to connect with me before undertaking any major home improvements. I can provide insights on which repairs will appeal to buyers and potentially boost your property’s value beyond their cost.

It’s all about making the right improvements for your specific neighborhood and price point. What buyers want in a $400k home is likely much different than a $1.2M home. An expert can help guide you to make the smartest investments.

The bottom line is prepping your home before listing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Focus on decluttering, neutral paint, and targeted repairs in the kitchen and bathrooms. Curb appeal projects also go far to make a stellar first impression on buyers.

With strategic and savvy home improvements guided by market insights, you can maximize your property’s salability and final sale price. Let me know if you’d like a custom recommendation for your home on which improvements will have the highest ROI once you’re ready to sell!

FAQs

Q: What are some low-cost home improvements I can make before selling my house?

A: Some low-cost home improvement projects you can make before selling your house include repainting walls, installing a new light fixture, updating cabinet hardware and countertops, replacing old appliances with energy-efficient models, and adding fresh landscape elements. Deep cleaning is also an inexpensive way to get your home ready for potential buyers.

Q: What are the best ROI (return on investment) home improvements I should make before selling my house?

A: The best ROI (return on investment) home improvements you should make before listing your home for sale include painting the interior and exterior of the house; making minor repairs such as grout repair or replacing tile; deep cleaning; upgrading fixtures; adding landscaping features; upgrading flooring; updating kitchen cabinets and countertops; and replacing outdated light fixtures. These renovations will help increase the value of your home when it comes time to sell.

Q: Is it worth remodeling before selling a house?

A: Remodeling a kitchen or bathroom may break the bank but can add significant value to your overall resale price if done correctly. If you’re not willing to invest in a full remodel project then consider smaller scale renovations such as upgrading fixtures or tiles that won’t require hiring professional contractors. Doing so can help increase the value of your property without breaking the bank.

Q: What kind of outside improvements should I make to my house before listing it for sale?

A: Improving curb appeal is important when getting your home ready to sell. Consider adding fresh landscape elements like flowers or shrubs around walkways or entryways. Repainting shutters, trim and other exterior woodwork will also add value to your property without costing much money. Lastly don’t forget about outdoor lighting – installing new light fixtures outside can really give potential buyers an impression of what they could be buying.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when doing their own DIY (do-it-yourself ) projects?

A: Common mistakes people make when doing DIY projects include not having enough supplies , using incorrect tools, failing to properly prep surfaces prior to beginning work , overlooking safety measures, not allowing enough time for each step in their project plan, skipping steps altogether, failing to measure twice before cutting once, neglecting maintenance after completion, not cleaning up thoroughly after finishing their project. Taking these tips into consideration will help ensure success when tackling any DIY project .  

Conclusion

If you are looking to put your home on the market, it is important to make sure you make the necessary improvements to maximize its value. A kitchen remodel is one way to increase the resale value of your property and is often one of the best ROI (return on investment) home improvements. Hiring a professional for minor repairs and renovations outside of your home can also add value to your property. It’s best to make it look attractive so potential home buyers have a good first impression when they walk through the door.

Home sellers should also consider making minor repairs throughout every home in order to increase its selling price. Home remodeling projects like new paint, updated fixtures, or new flooring can make your house more attractive and boost its value in the eyes of many potential home buyers. Ultimately, it is important for any home seller to make sure they invest in making their house look great before putting their home on the market in order to receive the best r


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Richard Morrison

My name is Richard Morrison and I aim to empower people to buy and sell real estate in the most effective way possible. I can service all of your Metro Vancouver real estate needs & beyond. I specialize in Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Vancouver West, Richmond, Burnaby and other areas in the Lower Mainland BC Canada. You can be assured that whether buying or selling your home, I will get the job done. I offer a full compliment of real estate services with 15+ years of experience. About Richard Morrison

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