Selling your home is a stressful process, and sometimes the thought of making improvements or repairs before listing your property is a daunting endeavor. \u201cWhen preparing a home for sale, time and cost constraints often determine what actually can be accomplished,\u201d says broker Andrea Saturno-Sanjana of Coldwell Banker Warburg.<\/p>\n
Rather than invest tons of money and time in an effort to get top dollar for your home, here are some quick and easy things experts say you can do to ensure great offers from buyers.<\/p>\n
Curb Appeal Updates<\/strong><\/p>\n Your home might be perfect inside, but a buyer won\u2019t step foot inside unless the outside matches. \u201cCurb appeal is extremely important as it is the first impression buyers will have of the home both when driving around the neighborhood and in photos posted online,\u201d says Saturno-Sanjana. \u201cSome multiple listing services require that the lead photo be an exterior shot of the front of the home.\u201d<\/p>\n 1. Landscaping Improvements 2. Driveway Fixes 3. Fresh Paint 4. Update Doors 5. Cleaning and Decluttering Staging Your Home<\/strong><\/p>\n Staging your home, whether professionally or with a DIY approach, is one of the easiest ways to get a top offer.<\/p>\n 1. Decluttering 2. Paying Professional Stagers 3. Deep Cleaning Making Improvements<\/strong><\/p>\n Some projects are more in depth, but they ensure top dollar for your home.<\/p>\n 1. Replacing Lighting 2. Adding Smart Technology 3. Renovating Kitchens and Bathrooms
\nFor most buyers, ensuring the grass is cut is enough to make for a nice exterior, but with a little more effort, you can make even more money. Agent Mary Hall Mayer of Coldwell Banker Warburg suggests trimming bushes and weeding flower beds.
\nYou can also make DIY improvements with new mulch or gravel and new planted or potted plants, Saturno-Sanjana says. \u201cFor grander homes, a thoughtful design from a landscaper or landscape architect can pay dividends in the long run in terms of higher sales price, fewer days on the market, or both,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n
\nHave a chipped, cracked, or peeling driveway? Agent Parisa Afkhami of Coldwell Banker Warburg suggests having those concerns fixed, as driveway repairs can be inconvenient after a buyer moves into a property.<\/p>\n
\nYour front door will likely be featured prominently in listing photos and certainly once a buyer visits the property in person.
\n\u201cConsider updating the front door with a bold yet neutral color or adding new hardware to create a more inviting entry. Small upgrades like new house numbers and outdoor lighting can also make the home feel warm and welcoming, day or night,\u201d says Bryson Taggart, a third-generation Realtor and senior development manager at Opendoor Brokerage.<\/p>\n
\nFaulty or old doors should be addressed as well. \u201cThere is much data from the construction and remodeling industry regarding the return on investment (ROI) for specific projects that ranks replacing garage and entry doors at the top of the list,\u201d Saturno-Sanjana says.<\/p>\n
\nAs with the inside of your home, a neat and clean yard and outdoor spaces is key. Mayer suggests keeping the lawn raked, mowed and edged in between major landscaping updates.
\nPower washing is also an affordable way to give your home some sparkle. Taggart suggests hitting the \u201cdriveway, front walkway, and siding for a cleaner look.\u201d
\nRemove piles of bricks, forgotten projects, and kids\u2019 toys, and stage outdoor areas such as a porch or patio just like you would your living room.<\/p>\n
\nThe first step in staging your home is to remove personal effects such as photographs, art, and knick-knacks so a buyer can envision themselves living in the space. “Declutter and remove all personal items, especially personal photographs; buyers get distracted looking at your photographs instead of focusing on the property,” Mayer says.<\/p>\n
\nProfessional stagers will loan you their furniture to maximize the appeal of any space while keeping the aesthetic attractive to the largest demographic of buyers.
\n\u201cStaging a home for sale is crucial because it allows potential buyers to imagine themselves living in the space, making the property more attractive, and often boosting its value,\u201d says Michael Gifford, CEO and co-founder of Splitero. \u201cStaged homes typically sell more quickly and at higher prices by highlighting the home\u2019s best features while downplaying imperfections.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWhether you opt for staging or not, one of the best ways to impress a buyer is to have your home cleaned thoroughly.
\nMayer says that\u2019s one of the reasons an older ranch home she viewed with a client sold quickly. She said the home\u2019s yard and pool were beautifully landscaped but noted the interior and all of the furnishings were dated. The saving grace? The home was clean.
\n\u201cEverything was immaculate. The garage was so organized and clean, wall-to-wall carpets had no stains, and every closet was beautifully arranged,\u201d she said. \u201cYou knew that with a yard like that and the care given to the interior, the house might need updating and redecorating, but that the roof, boiler, and hot water tank would be in good order. As such, there were six offers on the home in the first afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWarm lighting is favored by buyers, and improved lighting overall will show your home best.\u201cA super easy project I recommend that will instantly make your home more inviting is changing out your lighting to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) or LEDs,\u201d Gifford says. \u201cNot only does it save you money, but they\u2019re also more environmentally friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAdding smart home features, or at least highlighting them in listings, is an easy way to get top dollar.
\n\u201cToday\u2019s market trends highlight the importance of features that provide year-round comfort and functionality,\u201d Taggart explains. \u201cEnergy-efficient upgrades, such as smart thermostats, are particularly appealing to \u2018anytime buyers\u2019\u2014a group that makes up 26% of buyers and sellers. This group values homes that suit their needs regardless of the season, making energy-efficient and low-maintenance features highly attractive.\u201d
\nSmart thermostats, security systems, smart lighting features, and even water leak detectors are ideal.<\/p>\n
\nWhile these improvements are far from easy or inexpensive, kitchen and bathroom renovations consistently rank highest in terms of their return on investment for sellers.
\n\u201cThe highest return on investment always comes from the kitchen and bathrooms,\u201d Mayer says. \u201cThey\u2019re the most disruptive and expensive to renovate. Plus, the crew usually has to move through the house to get to them. Another added value is a finished basement.\u201d
\n\u201cOpting for neutral, timeless finishes in both spaces ensures broad appeal, helping the upgrades resonate with a wide range of buyers and boosting the home\u2019s marketability and resale value,\u201d Taggart says.
\nCan\u2019t afford to do a full renovation? Try a facelift. \u201cA minor remodel can include new hardware, countertops, cabinet faces, appliances and flooring, and fresh paint,\u201d Gifford says.
\nSimilarly, a few upgrades will improve your bathroom dramatically. \u201cFor bathrooms, regrouting, tub reglazing, and updating the light fixture over the vanity may do the trick,\u201d Saturno-Sanjana says.<\/p>\n