If you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, you want to get as much as you can from the sale. To this end, you might want to consider a few home improvements. There are all kinds of things that will turn the heads of your potential buyer, and so long as you don’t put yourself out of pocket, you might want to include them.
So, before you start packing your boxes in preparation for a move, and before you get Allied Van Lines on the phone to talk about your removal needs, spend some time in your last few months at home working on your property.
Here are just a few of the home improvements that will increase home value.
#1: Make changes in your kitchen
According to Home Guides, you can get a return on your investment if you remodel your kitchen, so this might be one room in your home that you want to focus on. You shouldn’t go overboard, of course, as you don’t want to spend more than you can afford. And you shouldn’t transform your kitchen with a style that might not suit all buyers, such as something that has a vintage look.
At the very least, give your kitchen a fresh lick of paint in colors that are fairly neutral. Then consider replacing your appliances if they aren’t energy-efficient, as this will please those buyers looking for a house that will a) save them money, and b) help them live a greener lifestyle. You might want to consider smart appliances too, as many buyers are looking to modernize their lifestyles.
For more advice on remodeling your kitchen, check out our advice on what else you should consider.
#2: Add energy-efficient windows
When it comes to your home, energy-efficiency matters. It matters to you, and it also matters to the potential home buyer. So, if your windows aren’t doing a good job of keeping the cold out, you might want to upgrade them. According to an article at Homelight, you could add just under $10,000 to your asking price at resale, depending on the windows you buy, of course.
You might not get back all of the money you spend, as energy-efficient windows can set you back around $12,000 but this is assuming you replace all of the windows in your home. Still, you might be eligible for tax credits if you make this eco-friendly change to your home, so you might make some money back. You will also benefit from the energy savings you will make while you’re still living in your property.
#3: Make basic updates
You don’t always need to pay a fortune when improving your home. A fresh lick of paint, a garden makeover, and repairs to your roof and your internal fixtures, are all ways of adding some value to your property. After all, first impressions matter, and if your paint is peeling, and if there are obvious maintenance problems, you are going to lower rather than raise your home’s asking price. You might not get very many interested parties either! So, make these basic fixes before you show your buyers around, and benefit from the slight upgrade to your asking price.
So, consider what you might do to your home before putting it up for sale. We have only touched the tip of the home improvement iceberg, so speak to a realtor for advice on other things you might to work on within your home.
