If you’re planning to sell your home, investing in some updates can make it more attractive to viewers and help secure your chance of a quicker sale. Even if you’re not in a position to be able to afford getting a substantial amount of work done, staging your home for viewers is hugely important since it will help secure interest in the property and could even add to its value. We’ve put together some tips to keep in mind when updating your home before selling it.
#1. Declutter:
Perhaps one of the simplest things that you can do with your home to update it for a sale is to declutter it and make it look more neutral. This will give any potential buyers the opportunity to better visualize themselves living in your home; neutral colors and a lack of your personal belongings gives them more of a blank canvas to think about what they’d do with the place once they move in. That being said, however, it’s not always a good idea to completely depersonalize your home; don’t make it look like a show home or generic hotel. Show them how well your property has become a home for you whilst living there; this will help give some potential buyers suggestions when it comes to what they could do.
#2. Make Minor Repairs:
Before putting your home on the market, it’s essential to make any minor repairs around the property. This could be something as simple as fixing up cracked tiles and broken door knobs to any bigger jobs that are going to stand out. Bear in mind that most people today want to minimize work when they move into a new property, and many are willing to pay extra for the convenience. In addition to fixing everything up, spend time cleaning your property until it sparkles – clean and repair any old tile grout, get rid of limescale, wax laminate floors and make sure the whole house smells clean and fresh.
#3. Update Your Kitchen and Bathroom:
The kitchen and bathroom are two of the most-used rooms in the home and can quickly make or break a deal. Potential buyers are more likely to forgive issues with other rooms if they can be assured of a wonderful kitchen in which to prepare food and have family time, and a well-kept, comfortable bathroom to get ready in every morning and use for winding down after a long day. If possible, you may be able to get away with making minor updates to your kitchen and bathroom, or you could consider investing more into getting new ones, as this can add significant value onto your property. Whatever you choose, make sure that you look into general liability insurance for contractors if you pay anybody to carry out work on your home.
#4. Focus on Curb Appeal:
When a potential buyer visits your property, their first impression is going to go a long way. The last thing that you want is for somebody to be having second thoughts the minute that they pull up outside your property. Because of this, it’s vital to focus on curb appeal and ensure that your home looks inviting and appealing from the outside. There are several things that you can do to achieve this; a fresh lick of paint on your front door and window frames, sparkling clean windows, and a well-kept garden are all ideal. Don’t be afraid to add some extras, such as a cute number sign for your home or hanging baskets to make it look even more welcoming.
#5. Make it Energy-Efficient:
Today’s buyers aren’t just looking to get the best deal when purchasing a property, they want to know that they’ll be spending less on maintaining it in the future, too. In addition, many young, first-time buyers are also concerned about their carbon footprint and are interested in buying a property which allows them to have as little impact on the environment as possible. Adding energy-efficient and eco-friendly extras to your home can go a long way in securing the interest of buyers and many also add some value to the property. Solar panels, energy-efficient double glazing, and an energy-efficient heating system are all worthwhile investments in your home.
#6. Make Conversions:
If you have the cash to do so, improving and enlarging your home by making conversions can be a great way to generate more interest and increase your asking price. For example, an unused loft can be made into an extra bedroom, or a garage that’s so far only been used to store your extra belongings can be turned into an extra living room, dining room, or for making the kitchen larger depending on the layout of your home. If you have the outdoor space, a conservatory or outdoor kitchen and dining area can be a great addition.
If you have any other tips, let us know in the comments!
