What Home Improvements Should You Make Before Listing Your Home For Sale?

Before you list your home for sale, increase its value with these simple home improvement projects.

Do you want to sell your house? Then you’ve probably heard about how sweat equity can increase the profit on your final sale. However, determining which home improvements are worth your time, money and effort can be difficult. Every home is unique. What’s ideal for yours is determined by time, funding for other homes in your region and whether your efforts will add value to buyers. What’s the good news? You don’t have to undertake a significant renovation to boost resale value. These modest home improvement projects generate attention, increase earnings and go a long way toward impressing everyone who enters your property.

The following are the top low-cost home renovations to consider when selling your property!

Work on the Landscaping

Great landscaping may provide an excellent first impression. According to a 2013 National Association of Realtors survey, 71% of home buyers evaluate curb appeal while looking for a home. Unless your home is a fixer-upper, you owe serious purchasers a welcoming environment. When they start touring your property, your landscaping should pique their interest. Fortunately, there are quick and low-cost curb appeal projects you can do to achieve this. Here are several examples:

Add color by using annuals, seasonal flowering plants or perennials.
Weeding your lawn, watering it, fertilizing it and aerating it are all examples of yard maintenance. This will also contribute to making the yard as green as possible.
Keeping the lawn mowed regularly.
Planting a few deciduous trees (15 feet tall) such as the tulip tree, dogwood and red oak.
To achieve a tidy and appealing appearance, edge and mulch the lawn.

For a few hundred dollars, you can hire a landscaper to plant some flowering annuals as well as perform a thorough yard cleanup. Of course, many people would be curious about the return on investment from such a landscaping effort. A quick web search yields results ranging from 100% to 1000%. More importantly, developing a landscape plan that complements the architectural architecture of your home produces amazing effects. Even if you have the opportunity to develop a large landscape, keep in mind that some buyers may see it negatively due to the high upkeep costs.

Paint

Let’s face it: newly painted rooms are inherently appealing. A well-kept and updated exterior can also be appealing. What’s more, guess what? A simple paint job or scrubbing of the walls with the right tools and cleaning products can produce precise effects in your home. When it comes to painting, it’s critical to select the proper type and colors wisely. Not long ago, Zillow analyzed over 32,000 pictures of sold properties and discovered that rooms painted in light blue, pale blue or gray and powder blue sold for significantly more than the projected price ($5440 on average).

Blue kitchens, light blue bathrooms, brown living rooms (pale taupe, beige or oatmeal-colored walls), cadet blue bedrooms, slate blue dining rooms, gray home exteriors and navy blue front doors all increased the value of a home by more than $1000, according to the same survey. As a result, by choosing such colors, you will most likely attract a large number of possible property purchasers. Given the amount of attention and visits they receive, bathrooms and kitchens are the top candidates for a full paint job. Don’t forget to choose the appropriate color for each. You can paint it yourself or pay a pro for a few hundred dollars. However, if you can’t afford new paint or your walls are still in good condition with only fingerprints, marks, dings, and the like, washing them can help them look nice.

Upgrade the Lighting

Do you have those drab recessed lights in your living and dining rooms? If so, now is the time to unscrew them and replace them with a superb substitute. Chandeliers are an excellent choice to consider. If you have old light bulbs in other rooms, try replacing them with new ones that have the correct voltage for the fixtures in the room. You should also think about installing energy-saving lights and fixtures. This is one of the best methods to make a home more energy efficient, which is something that many purchasers are looking for nowadays! Consider installing additional lamps and fittings, such as under cabinet lighting, desk lamps, bedside lamps, accent lighting, and tread lighting.

Given that showings frequently occur at different times of day, consider natural lighting as well. Examine your drapes and blinds to ensure they are not blocking any natural light in the space. Exterior lighting is an important part of curb appeal. Make it well-lit by incorporating elements such as path lighting to create an inviting atmosphere. Finally, dark furnishings, flooring and wall and ceiling colors are known to disrupt room illumination. Enlist the assistance of an interior designer to be on the safe side. Allow them to audit these elements to ensure they are optimized for their purpose.

Update the Floors

Given that your property could be completely empty, flooring is one of the first things that people notice. The floor is likely to be the first thing a buyer notices when they enter the house. Many floor types naturally wear out over time, and if yours appears worn, a potential buyer may be turned off. Is it possible to avoid this? Yes, without a doubt! Water-based treatments for rejuvenating various floor kinds are available at flooring retailers and home centers for a few hundred dollars. An old or soiled carpet is a major turnoff, especially for prospective homeowners who intend to live with their pets. Hire a professional to clean it, but if that doesn’t work, consider getting it repaired.

Give Your Kitchen a Facelift

Because the kitchen is the heart of every home, many potential home buyers prioritize it over other rooms. If you clean and appeal to every other area, then brighten up your kitchen with low-cost aesthetic changes, more potential buyers will be enticed to buy your house, and the selling price will be greater. A total kitchen remodel may seem like a fantastic idea, but the downside is that it is costly and does not guarantee decent returns.

However, for a few dollars, you can perform the following improvements and still get the best resale value.

Paint – Baseboards, kitchen cabinets, trim, moldings and entryways are just a few of the kitchen areas that frequently require a fresh coat of paint to keep the kitchen looking gleaming. We observed earlier that blue kitchens tend to produce rather good outcomes, so keep that in mind when choosing a paint hue.
Depersonalize – If you have personal photographs, political or religious décor, mementos, artwork, or the like, remove them so that prospective purchasers viewing the property might imagine their own life in your home.
Ditch old appliances -Replacing outmoded dishwashers, microwave ovens, humidifiers and air conditioner(s) is one method to give your kitchen a new look and make it more practical. It’s the most widely used and easiest to incorporate into future versions. Most colored appliances should be avoided since their antiquated appearance instantly ages a room. Most purchasers will intend to replace any obsolete appliances, and the expenses of doing so may be reflected in their offer price. With an out-of-date update, you can get ahead of those depreciations. Concentrate on the stove, microwave or hood and dishwasher. Don’t be concerned about the refrigerator, especially if you intend to take it with you, as most deals exclude it.
Keep flooring consistent – If your kitchen floor is in good condition, there is no need to replace it. Making the rest of the room look nice will take attention away from the antiquated floor. Consider switching to a different flooring option if it is chipped, cracked or deteriorating. It’s a simple method to refresh the room without replacing too much of the original structure. If you’re remodeling, you have two choices: use the same new hard-surface floors as the rest of the house, or go for a unique appearance that both updates and distinguishes the room. Modern fashions keep things similar throughout the home, but changing the flooring is an excellent way to make an already distinctive kitchen stand out. It will depend on your existing kitchen, but different floors might be used as an accent. You want to maintain consistency with the overall aesthetic of a property while still appealing to a wide spectrum of purchasers, but if you’re adding value, make your kitchen stand out from your competitors’ areas.
Clean the countertops – Examine your countertops for cracks, nicks, grout difficulties, and so on, and if any are present, take the required action(s) to correct the problem. To remove the butcher block, sand and grease it. If necessary, clean it and clear it away. However, if you need to replace the countertops, granite is one of the best options to consider. If you decide to update, go for something light, neutral and easy to manage. Don’t go for the cheapest choice; instead, go for something that will appeal to a larger audience and provide the best return. Your competitors will point you in the right direction—if surrounding homes have new quartz countertops, you might want to consider doing the same.
Check up on cabinets – If your cabinet style is consistent with the rest of the house, a simple refinishing will do the trick. White cabinets are quite popular because they provide a blank slate for new buyers. Avoid beige, yellow, and taupe, and instead, go for something clean and modern. To give the cabinets a long-lasting facelift, refinish them properly (clean, strip, sand, prime and paint). Refacing is another solution, but its cost makes sense only in a few specific cases when you wouldn’t gain more value from completely new units. While refinishing, make sure to update the cabinet and drawer pulls, handles, and knobs to a color and style that matches your overall updates.

Other low-cost updates to consider include replacing fixtures with new ones and sprucing up the backsplash with tiles that complement the theme of your kitchen. Need help doing these minor updates? Valor Home Services has you covered. Call our team to learn more information.

Remodel the Bathroom

Bathrooms adhere to the same standards as carpets and hard surfaces. Look to update where it makes sense, but don’t deviate from the present stuff. Stick to the tile if your bathroom is tiled. Floors that are worn, cracked, nicked or damaged must be replaced. If your tiles are clean and have a modern appearance, consider changing the grout or renewing the material. These are professional-level tasks, but they’re a terrific, less-expensive option for a whole new tile floor. Prioritize the master bathroom, then go on to the secondary bathrooms. The master bedroom is where owners will spend the majority of their time, so it’s critical that this “private” space sparkle. Your flooring update in the secondary bathrooms and laundry room does not require the same level of skill. A smart, clean vinyl is acceptable—it improves the space without overpowering it. Buyers will notice if the second floors are old or broken, but they will not place as much attention on the type of new flooring as they would in the master bathroom.

Give the bathroom cabinets the same facelift as the kitchen. Upgrade the pulls, handles and knobs and refinish the doors, drawers and veneers. Using the same established color palette as the kitchen makes bathroom cabinets feel like an extension of the kitchen. Given the time required to refinish bathroom cabinets, particularly if you’re working with a small vanity, many low-cost, full replacement options may be a better fit for your specific space. Bathrooms, particularly tiny ones, provide an opportunity to incorporate modern style and design elements that larger rooms do not. While you want to keep your bathroom neutral and appealing, don’t be afraid to embrace some contemporary bathroom design trends if they complement the overall style of your home—just don’t go overboard.

Consider refinishing the porcelain if your bathroom is a gorgeous ’80s pink. While it is a professional job, resurfacing is a less expensive alternative to total replacement and completely transforms the space. White showers and baths are the best options. Don’t forget to replace the toilet if you’re repairing the floor. Replace a toilet because it is one of the most frequently used items in your home. New toilets are ultra-efficient, water-saving marvels of modern engineering—and buyers are taking notice. Don’t go overboard by installing a bidet; instead, pick something proportional to the rest of your bathroom modifications. Simultaneously, consider updating the low-cost, do-it-yourself fixtures such as the faucet, curtain rod and showerhead. The last thing you want in your home’s “cleanest” spots is an old fixture that gives off a different mood. If any of these updates are too strenuous for you, Valor Home Services can help.

Update the Fixtures and Hardware

One of the easiest home improvement projects you can do before listing your home for sale is to update fixtures and hardware. Replace your doorknobs and door hinges consistently. Handles and pulls on all cabinets must be consistent throughout the house. Avoid polished brass and gold doorknobs from the 1990s. Sleek styles with brushed nickel or stainless steel finishes characterize modern designs. Matte black is also a terrific accent color that adds depth if it complements your home.

Light switches and outlets, like doorknobs, are items that you use every day, and their age factors into a buyer’s total home value assessment. Cream-colored light switches and outlets lend an aged, weathered appearance to dwellings. White is the new universal standard. It’s clean, crisp, and uncomplicated, exactly what buyers want in a house. Replace outdated toggle switches with modern rockers, and replace old, loose outlets with new, stylish, squared receptacles, including faceplates and outlet covers. Electricity is no laughing matter. Leave it to the specialists if you are unsure. They’ll perform the updates in record time, and you (and the buyer) will feel confident knowing the project was completed by a certified electrician.

While you probably only look at your light fixtures when a bulb burns out, they are another area in your home that shows its age and inefficiency. Replace obsolete lighting fixtures with new, modern fixtures and lighting ideas. You don’t have to go beyond the builder-grade designs that are common in new homes. Look for simple, sleek, and seamless designs in a color that matches your hardware and wall color—brushed nickel, stainless steel, or matte black. Consider replacing the fixture in the living room and principal bedroom with a ceiling fan. Individual climate control is viewed by buyers as a high-efficiency cost saver that increases total house value.

While they don’t always provide the best return on investment, outdated, inefficient windows stand out like a sore thumb. If the windowpanes are fogged or the sashes are bent and discolored, it’s time to choose a more energy-efficient option. Buyers opt for improved efficiency when they expect to invest for many years in a home. If your home has normal window measurements, your renovation will be less expensive. Older properties that require custom sizes have a significant price increase. Budgets can also be pushed into a low-return zone by the type of pane, trim, and finishes used. White vinyl is a terrific, low-cost option, although wood or fiberglass are more pricey. Your window selection is influenced by the overall style and appearance of your home. You wouldn’t replace the wood windows in a craftsman-style home with black aluminum because it’s the cheapest choice, and you wouldn’t install stained glass in a modern home. Replacing your windows may not provide the best return on investment, especially if the replacement is unnecessary (you’re probably already using white vinyl), but with broken, old, or inefficient windows negatively affecting buyer perception, new windows will increase interest and overall home value.

Every project you’ve put off or amusing quirk you’ve come to accept must be repaired. You want customers to believe that moving in will be simple. Minor hiccups, such as a missing fence post, a bent floor grate or a door that won’t close all the way, will add up and harm how buyers perceive the home. In the same spirit, ensure that you thoroughly inspect your home’s major systems. Buyers will not take a chance if there is an issue with the HVAC, plumbing, or electrical systems. Service your systems early to avoid problems and demonstrate to buyers that your property is worry-free. For help with any of these small projects or to do a home maintenance walk-thru, Valor Home Services can help.

Refinish Hardwood

Hardwood floors are a beautiful and timeless addition to any home, but they can also be a major selling point. If your hardwood floors are looking a bit worn, refinishing them before listing your home for sale is a great way to increase its value and appeal to potential buyers.

Here are a few tips on how to refinish your hardwood floors:

Get estimates from multiple contractors. The cost of refinishing hardwood floors can vary depending on the size of your home, the condition of your floors, and the materials you choose. It’s a good idea to get estimates from at least three different contractors before making a decision.
Choose the right finish. There are a variety of finishes available for hardwood floors, each with its unique look and feel. Be sure to choose a finish that will complement the style of your home and the type of wood you have.
Remove all furniture and personal belongings from the area. This will make it easier for the contractor to do their job and will also protect your belongings from dust and debris.
Clean the floors thoroughly. The contractor will need to clean the floors thoroughly before they can begin refinishing them. This will help to remove any dirt, grime, or wax that could interfere with the refinishing process.
Sand the floors. The contractor will use a sanding machine to remove the old finish and prepare the surface for the new finish.
Apply the finish. The contractor will apply the new finish to the floors using a roller or brush.
Allow the finish to dry. The finish will need to dry completely before you can move furniture back into the area and start using your floors again.

Refinishing your hardwood floors can be a big project, but it’s a worthwhile investment if you’re planning to sell your home. By following these tips, you can ensure that your floors are refinished to a high standard and that you get the most out of your investment.

Here are some additional tips to help you get the most out of your refinishing project:

Choose a contractor who is experienced in refinishing hardwood floors, like Valor Home Services.
Get multiple estimates before making a decision.
Be sure to remove all furniture and personal belongings from the area before the contractor begins work.
Clean the floors thoroughly before the refinishing process begins.
Be patient! It takes time for the finish to dry completely.

Remember that you’re attempting to demonstrate to buyers how easy it is to live in your home when you’re selling. By fixing any postponed maintenance concerns first, you will get the best return on your investment. Then proceed to make it as move-in ready as possible. You want your home to be as valuable as possible, but not at the risk of a reduced return. Compare your house to nearby listings, identify areas where your home falls short, and identify modest modifications that will set you apart from the competition. Avoid updates for the sake of updates, and keep in mind that this isn’t a beauty pageant. Your upgrades represent an investment in a rapid and profitable sale.

Don’t feel that you have to update your home on your own. Our skilled team of experts at Valor Home Services is happy to help, no matter the size of the project. Let’s increase the value of your home without stress by calling our team today.