As a seller, you want to make the right improvements to allow your home to sell fast and at a good price. Many sellers end up making unnecessary improvements to their homes in an effort to sell. It’s important to know what improvements will actually make a difference in how your home is sold. Read on for more tips.
This is a broad question because it depends on a variety of factors. First, a buyers expectations dictates what they’re looking for. Is a buyer looking for a fixer upper or does the buyer want a move-in ready house? What buyers see also greatly depends on a few factors including the time of year, the location of the home, how hot the market is, and how much inventory is available. Your home will sell based on what kind of real estate market climate it’s in.
Buyers see the floors as soon as they get in the door of a home. It’s what either adds to or detracts from the house. Old creaky floors certainly won’t add to the appeal of your home. It’s one less thing a buyer will have to worry about before they move into a house, making it a great improvement.
In the same realm as flooring, you should be aware of the quality of your carpets. Do they need to be ripped up? Should you have your carpets professionally cleaned? If you have simple carpets over hardwood floors, this isn’t much of a concern. Wall-to-wall carpeting is where this is a major concern.
Upgrading your appliances will always be worth your investment. Buyers love to know that a home is equipped with exactly what they need and ready for them when they move in. No one wants to buy a home knowing that the dishwasher or oven may need to be replaced at any moment.
Putting a new coat of paint on your walls and ceilings will be very attractive to buyers. You want to avoid buyers seeing things like smoke and grease stains. The wear and tear of everyday living can cause scuffs and scratches to occur on the walls. Fresh paint can really help to fix these cosmetic details.
The same thought process applies when it comes to wallpaper. If your wallpaper is old and tired, you may want to take it down and either replace it or paint the walls. Steering away from wallpaper may be the best practice, but if you can’t avoid it at least replace it.
Remember that buyers want to see themselves in the home. Personal style touches usually aren’t the best way to go when it comes to prepping your home. The more neutral and basic the changes you make, the better.
