My curious nature had me scrolling through local real estate listings yesterday. I silently thanked myself and my lucky stars that my current home still fits the needs of myself and my family, but it also got me thinking. If I decided to list my house, what kind of improvements would I need to make to maximize the chances of it selling at a decent profit?
First impressions count, and when talking about a house, that means curb appeal. Maintain your lawn as well as the weather will permit. Right now, we’re a bit crispy but swapping out tired annuals in our flowerpots, power washing the house, and tidying up outdoor living areas can greatly improve appearances. If you have a garage and the budget, replacing your garage door can give you almost 194% return on your investment at resale. Another lucrative improvement to consider is replacing your front door with a steel entry door. The return on investment for this is upwards of 188%.
Updating or refreshing the exterior of your home is a common suggestion from real estate agents. Chipping paint, mildew, missing pieces of siding all make a home feel tired and a target of lowball offers. Prospective buyers might take one look at a neglected and splintered deck and immediately walk away.
Moving inside the house, the best and most necessary project to tackle is cleaning and decluttering. Remove items like family photos and awards, and put away personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, medications, and dirty laundry. By removing as much of yourself from your home, prospective buyers can easily imagine themselves living there.
Protect yourself by securing valuables like jewelry and electronics. Don’t leave anything out that can be easily picked up. Remove firearms from your home or lock them in a gun safe. Make sure there isn’t any paperwork or mail left out that could be used fraudulently.
Consider toning down bright colors in your home. A neutral palette helps buyers see your house and not your possessions. This means that it might be time to paint that electric lime green room. Choose a soft neutral color. My personal favorite right now is Bohemian White, a warm white with soft pink and yellow undertones.
No one wants to live in someone else’s mess, so clean like your life depends on it. Wash your walls, floors, and ceilings. Dust the tops of cabinets and behind furniture. Clean your appliances, inside and out. Clean everything, and then clean it again.
If you’re planning on listing your home or if you’ve just become a first-time homeowner, Randy’s Hardware can help you with everything you need from cleaning and storage to repairs and updates. Remember, we don’t mind your questions, we don’t mind them at all!
