Selling your home at its best possible price takes time, commitment and money. While the sky is the limit when it comes to home improvements, it’s not necessary or even a good idea to spend too much on pre-sale improvements – after all, the new owners will likely have their own tastes and ideas for making the space their own. With that in mind, here are a few small, more affordable projects and advice for making your home look great and sell faster.
Affordable Home Improvement Projects That Will Help Sell Your Property
Repairs and small upgrades are a great way to show your home at its best without breaking the bank – in fact, it’s the most sensible way to increase the value of your home. A brand-new chefs kitchen may look fantastic to buyers, but the expense of big projects like this will be difficult to recoup in the sale. Rather than over-investing in your property, choose projects like:
- New kitchen appliances: If your home’s appliances are looking dated and unsightly, upgrades can make a big difference. Choose something that looks sleek and modern – and energy-efficiency is a must-have feature.
- Neutral interior paint: Painting the inside of your home gives it an immediate lift and a fresh, clean look that buyers respond to well. While neutral colors may not be to your personal taste, they go down well with buyers who see it as a chance to add their own personality to a home. Light colors also help make spaces look bigger and more welcoming. If you don’t have the time or budget to do your whole home, address your living areas or most colorful areas first. You can even just paint your trim to restore those attractive clean lines.
- Re-grout your tiles: If you have tiled spaces in your bathroom, kitchen or the rest of your home, it’s worth looking into re-grouting them or even using a grout paint pen on them. This freshens your tiles up and makes the space look newer.
- Upgrade your lighting: Lighting has come a long way in recent years with the introduction of LED technology. If your lighting is insufficient or out-of-date, installing stylish new fittings or even just new bulbs is an easy and affordable project that will refresh and brighten up your home.
- Landscaping: For an immediate boost in curb appeal, landscaping is the way to go. Trim back trees, the lawn and bushes for a neat, welcoming front to your home and to show off the space in your back yard. Spreading dark mulch on flowerbeds gives them an instant lift and adding a few flowering plants adds a pop of color.
More Advanced Home Improvement Projects For Bigger Budgets
If you have a bigger budget that allows you to spend a bit more, the best projects to invest in include:
- The kitchen: This space is the heart of the home and a priority for most buyers, so having a space that is ready for family meals from day one is a good boost to your home’s value. You don’t have to go for a full remodel though – specialists recommend replacing old countertops (quartz countertops are especially in demand), painting old cabinets and replacing tiles and backsplashes where needed. According to Consumer Reports, this can add 3-7% on average to your home’s value.
- The basement: A finished basement is another big draw for buyers and it’s a relatively easy way to add square footage onto your home. If you have a basement that is unfinished, then transforming it into an additional living area, income-generating flat or home office can bring good returns. Consumer Report studies show an average increase in a home’s value from this type of project to be around 4-6%.
- Energy-efficiency: Lowering your home’s energy costs is another great way to attract buyers, many of whom appreciate the long-term savings of an energy-efficient home but don’t have the time or inclination to do these projects themselves. Energy-efficient water heaters, appliances, home insulation and LED lighting are all great investments, with Consumer Report studies showing a 1-3% average increase in home value.
I Want To Sell My House Quickly – Is There An Even More Affordable Alternative? Yes!
All of these home improvement projects take time and money, and sometimes sellers simply don’t want the inconvenience or expense of these projects, simply preferring a quick and easy sale instead. Fortunately, there are solutions that can ensure your home sells quickly regardless of its condition or price range. Cash for houses services in Dallas can assist you with a fast, easy sale by purchasing your home from you. Not only is this a flexible solution that allows you to move forward with your own plans quickly, it also saves you the cost of estate agent commission, which averages at 6% of your home’s sale price. At Shiny Key Properties, we assist home owners who want a stress-free sale, whether they are moving home, downsizing, or in a foreclosure situation. For more information on our cash for houses services in Dallas, please contact us today and speak to one of our friendly team members.