Nobody sells on a whim so there’s little excuse for not preparing your home for the moment that it goes on the market.
You’ll give yourself the best chance of maximising the final sale price by assessing the strengths and weaknesses of your property, and deciding whether to invest in some smart renovations that will add value.
You shouldn’t spend more than 10% of the asking price to prepare your home for sale. That’s a rule of thumb, but it’s more helpful to understand where to put your dollars to get the biggest bang for your buck.
As your local real estate agent, we know the features that buyers are seeking as they scout for their new home in your area. That means we’re in a perfect position to assess your property and offer some advice on where to focus your attention.
Of course, every property will be different, but we’ve listed six improvements that add value to properties in your area.
- The kitchen is hot – Arguably, this is the most important room for buyers. Other features, such as bedroom sizes, are essential but the kitchen captures the imagination like no other area of the home. Don’t go renovation crazy, though. There are lots of tips and tricks to keep down the cost, such as replacing doors and drawers rather than ripping out the whole kitchen. Spending cash on high end appliances doesn’t offer a huge return – it’s more important appliances work and look in good condition. However, an alteration like an island bench with seating could be money well-spent.
- Bathrooms are big – Like the kitchen, bathrooms leave a big impression on today’s buyer. Again, there are a lot of ways to enhance a bathroom without demolishing it and starting again. Consider regrouting, replacing taps with modern tapware, painting and freshening up and even painting tiles and baths to get rid of out of fashion colours or patterns quickly and affordably. For homes with only one bathroom, adding a second can be a sound strategy if you have a room that’s oversized, or not used. It’s a big job, but it’ll pay dividends.
- A brush with paint – Paint does more than anything to brighten the entire house – and hides so many sins. Don’t go mad with colours unless you’re confident with interior design. We find time and again that neutrals have the most appeal. Some buyers really will walk away from a property if they don’t like the colour scheme. Why? Because they don’t want to be bothered with repainting. So, be neutral.
- Get some street appeal – First impressions are all important, which is why we emphasise a focus on your street appeal. You can begin with a fresh lick of paint on the fences and gate. Bright colours for the front door are in vogue and add to the appeal. Be sure to tidy up the front yard, and add a few potted plants to soften the edges. Again, this is a cheap strategy that will pay you back.
- Reinvent a room – Turning an under-used room into a home/office can be a good move as so many of us are now working from home. It’s not enough to replace the old furniture and stick a desk in. A fast internet connection must be a priority, and you’ll add atmosphere with a few additions, such a bookcase. Buyers also love a dedicated home-theatre room.
- Treat outdoors like a room – Adding a deck or rejuvenating the existing one will offer a valuable, additional feature at a relatively low cost. Entertainment areas are a drawcard for buyers, especially young families, so see this as a great opportunity. You should consider adding some pot plants to enhance the appeal.
These are just some of the ideas that might be available to you. We’d be more than happy to assess your property for you, as well as discuss the market, buyer trends and how we can maximise the value of your home when you’re ready to sell.