When speaking with homeowners that are considering selling their property, I often encounter 1 of 2 types of people. On one end "I don't want to lift a finger, I'm selling my property as-is". Or the opposite extreme, "I need to completely renovate my home to get it to sell for what I want it to"
Though many of us have become spoiled by HGTV, it is important to understand that you WILL NOT recoup the costs of fully renovating your home when you sell it. It is key to understand that money in, does not equal money out, dollar for dollar. You did put money in and you got to enjoy those upgrades. It is not practical to expect to compile the cost of those upgrades and tack it onto your list price. Buyers have their own individual tastes and those often do not align with the previous owner's predispositions.
However there are some relatively inexpensive things that you can do to get your home ready for sale. The first thing you should do is make any repairs you can to save yourself money in the long run. Here are a few repairs to cross off so you can get the best deal for your home!
1. Paint Your Walls
Re-painting the rooms that need a fresh face is the cheapest way to update the appearance of your home. Consider using light, neutral colors to appeal to a broader group of buyers. If the room is too dark or has chipped or dirty paint, make it look brand new with a coat of paint.
2. Make Minor Kitchen Repairs
Even if your kitchen isn’t large and spacious, a full renovation might not make sense financially. Consider making minor repairs instead. Paint what needs painted and install new fixtures where necessary. If your appliances aren’t operating properly or are in awful shape, you will want to replace them.
3. Update Your Bathroom
The first priority is making sure your bathroom looks clean. If the toilet looks old, replace the seat to give it a fresh new appearance. Replace any tiles that may be missing, clean the grout, and remove old wallpaper that may still remain. This is a room you should consider painting if need be to make it appear bright and clean.
4. Give The Floor Some Attention
If you have carpet throughout, get it professionally steam cleaned. Tile floors? Have it professionally cleaned to get the grout as fresh as possible. Wood floors can be stripped and re-stained if they are in rough shape, or cleaned and conditioned to replace moisture lost from normal wear and tear.
5. Fix The Exterior
The outside of your home is the first thing buyers will see, so it is important that it looks good. Touch up the yard with sod as needed, remove any junk that may be in the yard, and make sure your fencing doesn’t have any missing parts or boards. Mow your grass and consider renting a power washer to make your siding look brand new.
6. Maximize Lighting
The goal is to maximize light so you can maximize the appearance of space. Light does a great job of making rooms look larger than they are. Update your fixtures, ensure that your windows appear clean and new, and add mirrors across from light sources to reflect even more light.
7. Ensure Functionality
Potential buyers are going to want everything to work. Do a full walk through of your home, checking all light switches, doorknobs, and locks. Repair or replace anything that doesn't work as it should. The less issues that arise during the buyer's home inspection, the better chance of you maximizing your profit during the sale.
LUKE ALLEN
Realtor® - ABR® - ePRO® - SFR® - PSA
Mobile: 310.497.7754
Email: luke.jonathan.allen@gmail.com
Website: LukeAllenRE.com
Facebook: facebook.com/LukeAllenRE/
Instagram: instagram.com/lukeallenre/
License#02059886
Coldwell Banker - 12930 Ventura Blvd. Ste 202, Studio City, CA 91604
Referring me to your friends and family is the highest compliment you could give me!
