If you’re thinking about putting up a “For Sale” sign up in front of your home, you are no doubt thinking about what it takes to get the highest price and attract the quickest sale in your local market area. In areas where the economy has improved, demands for houses are greatly increasing, but that doesn’t mean that you will get the best result without any effort on your part.
That means talking to a trusted broker, cleaning the house, removing clutter and then getting it ready for the staging process. But there are a few more things that you can do to further increase your home’s selling value.
Here are the top 5 home upgrades that you can do to attract more buyers.
1. Paint it Right
If you’ve never changed your home’s paint color, say, in the last five years, chances are, the old paint now looks a bit dated and possibly out of fashion. Nothing updates a home’s look as quickly as a fresh coat or two of new paint. But before you stand on that ringlock scaffolding equipment with a paint roller in hand, it is essential to choose what new hue or shade is the best. Buyers are more attracted to neutral and subdued colors like beige, taupe, and gray. Forget your ambitions of painting the living room deep red or canary yellow. You want buyers to easily envision themselves living in your home, so a paint color that sells is the best way to go.
2. Update the Kitchen
If you have the money to spend on a more serious upgrade, concentrate your resources on updating the kitchen. Most buyers focus a lot of serious attention on the kitchen, and for them, a new modern or contemporary one is the most appealing.
- For more substantial upgrades, opt to have old and worn countertops replaced with a modern and durable one, such as granite or quartz.
- It also helps to replace old kitchen appliances with stainless steel and energy-efficient ones.
- If you’d rather not spend so much, you can focus on the little things that make a significant impact, such as replacing cabinet hardware, painting the walls and replacing lighting fixtures.
3. Invest in Energy Efficiency
The invisible upgrades can make the most impact, and investing in energy efficiency will help your home attract more buyers and at a higher price than homes which aren’t energy-efficient.
According to Remodeling.com, insulating the attic can help you recoup 116% of its cost. But not only that, you can take energy efficiency further by investing in:
- Energy-efficient HVAC system
- Solar panels and tankless water
- An upgraded furnace
You can also provide insulated windows and doors. It can attract buyers since this can help them save money in utility bills for the long-term.
4. Beautify the Landscape
Curb appeal is more than just a catchphrase, the simple truth is that if a homebuyer is wowed by your outdoor landscaping even before they enter your front door, you’ve already made a good impression that they will certainly remember when they visit your home for an open house. As the landscape is the first area they will see on your property, you want to make sure that it is in top condition. You don’t even have to spend so much on this project if you make thoughtful yet practical decisions.
To improve your landscape, you can:
- Plant new flowers
- Clean up the flower beds
- Replace outdated lighting fixtures
- Give the exterior sidings a fresh coat of paint
Overall, your landscape should look neat and tidy, and little changes here and there can go a long way in impressing homebuyers.
5. Install Better-Quality Flooring
Homebuyers notice the condition of the floors the second they step through your front door. If you had an old and worn out wooden flooring, uncleaned tiles, or severely damaged and stained carpet, it’s about time you invest in new and high-quality hardwood flooring to attract buyers. A new homeowner is less than happy to shell out a lot of money on new floors before they move in, but they’re likely to settle with a higher home price if the flooring is up to their satisfaction. If the budget is somewhat limited, you can focus on investing on new floors on the main areas, such as the master’s’ bedroom, living and dining room, and the kitchen.
Final Thoughts
Investing in quality home upgrades gives you the upper hand when it comes to selling your home in any market conditions. You will have a chance to potentially attract more buyers and get more buyer interest which ultimately could result in a higher selling price. Remember that your home is also competing with other homes for sale in your market area, so it makes perfect sense to do some practical, functional and attractive upgrades to make your home stand out.
