14 Ways to Increase the Value of Your Current Home Before Selling
Are you thinking of selling your current home? Naturally, you may be wondering how to increase the value of your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers. By following a few basic tasks and making some aesthetic improvements, you can really increase the value of your property before you put it up for sale. Here are a few tips that will help you get started on increasing the value of your current home before you sell it!
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Consider Your Curb Appeal
Sprucing up the outside of your home can make a huge difference when it’s time to sell. Simple steps like pressure washing the driveway and front walkway, are small investments that can easily increase the curb appeal of your home. Additionally, taking good care of shrubs and plants by trimming any overgrown bushes and adding more mulch can take your home’s appearance to the next level.
Finally, freshening up any exterior paintwork such as window frames, shutters, and porch railings will give buyers an indication that the interior of your home has been well cared for too. A small amount of effort can go a long way in creating a visual first impression for potential buyers.
Take A Look At Your Landscaping
Adding a few colourful plants and shrubs to your landscaping is an easy and affordable way to instantly increase curb appeal and create a welcoming atmosphere around your home. By strategically placing plants and shrubs around the front of your property, you will be able to boost the visual appearance of your home, creating a positive first impression with potential buyers.
Additionally, investing in lower-maintenance perennials or evergreen bushes means you won’t have to spend much time caring for them during the warmer months. So don’t wait any longer – give yourself the advantage of sprucing up the landscaping around your home before you put it on the market!
Make Some Small Repairs
Making small repairs before you sell your home is a great way to add value. Take the time now to fill any holes, tighten loose doorknobs, and look for and repair any leaky faucets. This is an easy yet essential step in making sure your home shows in the best condition possible. Remember, buyers are looking for a move-in ready home, so these minor fixes can make all the difference in adding value as well as catching a buyer’s eye.
Refresh The Paint Job
When you’re preparing your home for sale, paint plays a big role. Giving your walls a new coat of paint will revive the look of the room and make it much more inviting to buyers. To further revitalize the space and create an open atmosphere, choose neutral, warm colours such as creams and beiges. Don’t forget to brighten up any accent-painted items in the room too – such as doors or trim. With the right paint colour choices, you’ll create an atmosphere that potential buyers would love to call home!
Fix Up Your Fixtures
If you’re looking to increase the value of your home before listing it on the market, one great way to do that is by updating the fixtures. Replacing dated and outdated lighting fixtures with fresh, modern ones will give your home a more contemporary feel, which can make it much more appealing to potential buyers. Not only will this brighten up the space, but it can also add some extra style and class to any area of your house. Plus, these days there are many different styles of lights for you to choose from that won’t break the bank!
Let In The Natural Light
Revitalizing your home before you list it for sale can be a great way to increase its value. One often-overlooked method is to use natural light to open dark rooms and create a space that’s both inviting and calming. Try hanging mirrors near windows or use skylights to bring extra light into the room – it will help show off all of your house’s best features and make spaces appear larger, more modern, and more desirable to prospective buyers. Adding bright beams of natural light is an easy way to make sure your home stands out amongst others on the market.
Reduce Clutter
One of the most important things you can do when preparing your home for sale is to reduce clutter. Too much clutter makes rooms look smaller and less inviting so it’s important to get rid of any excess furniture or items you don’t need. This will help make sure that buyers see your home in its best light and make it easier for them to imagine themselves living in the space. Additionally, organizing your closets and cabinets in a neat and tidy way will make buyers feel like they’re getting more bang for their buck.
Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient
Making your home more energy-efficient is a great way to increase the value of your house. Investing in new insulation, windows, and doors will not only improve the comfort of living in your home but also help you save on monthly energy bills. Upgrading to high-efficiency appliances will help you make a better impression with potential buyers with their cost savings. Another easy change worth making is swapping out all of your lights with energy-efficient LED bulbs. Not only will they conserve energy but they’ll also make your home look more modern and attractive to potential buyers.
Focus On The Kitchen
The kitchen is often considered the heart of a home and as such, it’s important to make sure it looks its best before selling. Replacing dated appliances with more modern ones can give your kitchen an updated look that will help attract potential buyers. Additionally, adding new countertops and backsplashes will not only add value to the space but also create a more cohesive aesthetic.
Finally, consider updating the cabinets by either painting or replacing them to make sure they look their best and bring an inviting atmosphere to your kitchen. With these simple fixes, you’ll be sure to increase the value of your home in no time.
Build A Better Bathroom
A few simple updates can help make your bathroom look more modern and attractive to buyers. Start by updating old fixtures such as faucets and towel racks, then move on to freshening up paintwork like walls and cabinets with neutral colours. Finally, adding new flooring can make the space look even brighter and more inviting.
Increase Your Square Footage
Increasing your square footage can be done in a variety of ways such as adding an extra bedroom or bathroom, converting existing space into something more useful like a home office or den, and even finishing the basement if possible. Additionally, utilizing outdoor spaces like decks and patios can be great ways to add value as well.
Keep An Eye On Your Budget
While investing in improvements to your home can definitely increase its value and make it more attractive on the market, it’s important to keep an eye on your budget and not overspend. Remember, most of these updates are meant to bring a higher price when selling, so if you go overboard with renovations you may end up spending more money than you make when selling your home. Make sure to research the market, set a budget, and stick to it – that way you can be sure to increase the value of your house without breaking the bank!
Make Your Home Safer And Smarter
Making your home smarter and safer can be a great way to increase the value of your house while also giving buyers peace of mind. Investing in a good home security system will help make sure prospective buyers feel safe when viewing your property while adding smart features like voice-activated lights and Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats can add convenience and luxury that buyers are sure to love.
Always Be Ready To Show Your Home
Finally, no matter how much work you put in to get your home ready for sale, it’s important to always be prepared to show it to potential buyers. Make sure that the lights are on and all of the windows are open so viewers can appreciate the natural light coming into your home. Additionally, make sure that any furniture or decorations that could potentially be a distraction are removed – you want buyers to be focused on the home itself, not your personal belongings. Finally, ensure everything is clean and organized so that viewers can see how much potential your place has!
It doesn’t matter whether your home is five or twenty years old, you don’t need to go over the top with upgrades to get the best price when selling. Instead, follow these simple ideas and tips that will pay for themselves and help you get top dollar.
Completing these simple upgrades and repairs can greatly increase the value of your home before you sell it. Even small adjustments such as freshening up the paint job, sprucing up the landscaping, or replacing outdated fixtures can catch potential buyers’ attention. Remember that the details make all the difference when it comes to making a great impression on each buyer. Investing in improvements now can make a huge impact on offers and create more opportunities for success.
Originally published February 2, 2021, updated April 13, 2023
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