Imagine this: A lovely stone walkway leads you to a charming brick home with freshly painted shutters and a stunning French door entry. You open the double doors and step through a time warp landing in 1975. Wood panel walls surround you as you follow the tan, yellow, and white tiled floor to a living room with shag carpet, popcorn ceiling, and paisley wallpaper. You obviously are inspired to do the Hussle, but you are not as inspired to buy the home.
Don’t get me wrong; there are Buyers looking for homes just like this so they can remodel it and most likely, re-sell it. But most Buyers are looking for a home they can move into with as little updates needed as possible.
So, what should a Seller update before putting a home on the market? Not all home improvement is worth taking on when you’re ready to sell. Here are the top projects Buyers say are important and will get the most return out of your investment:
A fresh coat of neutral paint throughout the home
If the walls are any color other than a neutral palette, Buyers may not be able to picture themselves in the space. Neutral walls always show better than designer colors (or torn 70’s wallpaper) and allow the Buyer’s imagination to go wild.
Add or Refinish Hardwood floors
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2019 Remodeling Impact Report states that new wood flooring ranked 4th in projects that most appeal to buyers, and according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, new hardwood floors fetch a 106% ROI and refinishing hardwood floors has a 100% ROI. My top advice: keep it consistent; Buyers don’t want to see different types of flooring in every room (or all the wood on the walls instead of the floor).
Update the kitchen
If you only have the time or budget to upgrade one room, make it the kitchen. This is the heart of the home and often the most used room in the house.
Upgrade your appliances and consider adding or updating your kitchen island. According to top agents, stainless steel is the most in-demand appliance style among homebuyers; purchase quality appliances that are energy efficient.
A relatively easy upgrade that makes a kitchen seem more cook-friendly is an island. If you have an island and want to improve its functionality, consider adding storage or overhead lighting.
Improve your bathroom
The bathroom and kitchen are more frequently used by more family members than other spaces and tend to wear out more quickly. They are also full of moisture, which means issues like mold can be creeping underneath that caulking. Even a minor mold problem that shows up in a home inspection report could make potential buyers reconsider.
New cabinet hardware is an inexpensive way to make your bathroom more appealing to potential buyers, as well as fresh paint. Also, more buyers are looking for eco-friendly items in a house. If your toilet is more than a decade old, you may want to swap it for a more water-efficient model.
Make your backyard an oasis
People are looking for their own private oasis even more these days, and Buyers love backyards with dedicated space for entertaining and dining. Adding a patio is a fairly low-cost addition that adds value to your home. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money simply add a fire pit; be sure to check with your fire department about restrictions.
If you don’t have the time or money for any renovations, spend what time you have organizing and cleaning. A sparkly and inviting space goes a long way.
No matter what condition (or decade) your home is in, I have years of experience, a network of vendors, and advice to help you. Reply to this email or message me anytime.
-Arynne
PS- If you’re serious about selling your home this year, let’s connect. Click here to book a real estate possibility call and let’s develop a winning strategy for you this year!
