If you’re considering selling your home, then it’s important you’ve got everything in order before any prospective buyers show up. However, although a house might have had a new lick of paint and the garden a makeover, homeowners often overlook sprucing up the garage. More often than not, garages are a dumping ground for everything that doesn’t fit in the home! From unwanted toys and sports equipment to old furniture, and of course, cars, a garage is thought of as a valuable place for storage. But what if you had the opportunity to upgrade it from a dumping ground to something that will change it into a selling point? Here are some useful ideas to show buyers your faithful garage has some real purpose and improve your home’s curb appeal.
Smarten it up
A garage, and in particular the exterior, is usually the first thing people see so getting it smartened up can be an instant appeal. A good place to start is your garage door. Do they need a paint job? Or a garage door repair? The latter would be a much cheaper alternative to investing in a new door so check for any damage on panels and doors. You should also look out for any gaps that let in rainwater and have them sealed off. The only way to do this is to carefully inspect the whole exterior which should uncover any wear and tear. If you do paint it, consider matching the color to your house to give the appearance of unity.
De-clutter it
Before tackling any jobs inside your garage, your first task is to de-clutter all the stuff that’s been accumulating in there. Depending on the size of your garage, you could split your things into sections; for example, charity, trash and to keep. If you’re moving house, this is particularly useful to do before you have to pack up for your new home so there is less to do when the time comes to move. Decide what you need and what you don’t need – if you haven’t used something for six months or more, then bin it or donate it elsewhere. Alternatively, you could sell them online and make a little extra money!
Store it
Now that you have decided what items you want to keep, it’s time to think about storage solutions. Again, organize items into different zones so things are easy to find and how often you use them. For example, store garden tools and the family’s shoe collection close to the door for quick access. You can also maximize your garage space by installing wall and ceiling racks for bikes, ladders, and other larger or long items. Think about what you exactly want to store and then buy specific storage for them. This could apply to paint and other heavy items that might need studier, fixed shelving. Buyers are sure to appreciate ready-made storage when buying a property.
Paint it
A dirty garage is bound to turn buyers off so freshly painted walls, ceiling and floor can make such a great first impression. There’s a reason why interior designers love using light colors – they make a space seem bigger than they really are. Transforming your garage with light-colored walls will make a difference in how people view it. If your floor has oil or paint stains, you’ll have to invest in epoxy paint to clean it up. While you’re at it, ensure that you add lights to your garage’s interior to lighten up the area even more.
Secure it
There’s not much point going through all that effort to smarten up your garage if you don’t secure it too. A lot of people don’t even think about locking the door connecting the garage with their home, but once a thief is inside, they have access to anything, without even being seen. Luckily, there are ways to make your garage secure, such as installing smart locks and sensors, so an alarm is triggered. You can also install a smart overhead garage door to let you know if it has been left open.
Fortunately, there is a wealth of options for making your garage more convenient and secure.
By doing these simple jobs, you’ll not only add value to your property, but it’s likely that it will keep your car in better condition too as it will be stored somewhere dry, clean, and light. Spending time transforming your garage so it’s a functional and modern space can only benefit a positive view from potential buyers.
