It takes planning and discipline to prepare your home for sale and achieve your dream deal.
Depending on the condition of your home, only a few cosmetic improvements may be needed so you can focus on delivering buyers a five-star presentation.
If your home requires a little more TLC, it’s usually best to undertake those repairs rather than make them someone else’s problem and be forced to drop your price.
When you begin to plan your sale, it’s a great idea to talk to a trusted agent about what they thinks needs to be done.
This will ensure you don’t waste money on improvements that hold little value, and you’ll have a laser focus on issues that concern buyers. I’d be happy to help you, of course.
It’s pretty easy to spend $5,000 on making some basic improvements to maximize the value of your home. These would include painting, decluttering and cleaning, and staging your home.
A recent analysis by Zillow found buyers spend an average of $5,380 on basic home improvements before putting the For Sale flags on the front lawn.
Some 65% of sellers will undertake at least two projects to add value to their homes.
A survey by Remodeling magazine says seven out of 10 improvements with the highest return on investment were exterior projects. Among the most popular were wood window replacement (61% ROI) and garage door replacement (103% ROI).
Installing new entry doors, adding manufactured stone veneer and replacing sidings were also big winners for sellers.
Below, I’ve outlined some of the other basic exterior projects that will add value to your home.
- First Impression: Every agent will encourage you to maximize investment in your curb appeal. Call in a professional to landscape your yard and fix cracks or problems with paths. Consider a new front door, too.
- Exterior Painting: More than a quarter of all sellers will repaint the front of their home to enhance its street appeal. Use neutral colors or classic combinations that have survived the test of time. Avoid bright and outlandish colors.
- Roof Riddle: If you ignore any issue with your roof, you’ll likely be asked to give the buyer a credit to fix the problem after the sale. Zillow says 20% of homeowners will deal with the problem while another 27% will replace the whole roof.
- Sidings: Buyers will quickly spot issues with sidings. Using mid-range vinyl products can be expensive, but it’s worth paying for the repair.
- Wood Rot: This is another obvious sign of decay in your home. Whether it’s a gate post or a fence paling, be sure to fix the issue before buyers arrive.
- Windows: Buyers often test the windows to see if they open and close smoothly. This is especially the case in older homes. New, energy-efficient windows are a significant selling point. If you’re unsure about the state of your windows, check for air leaks. They’re a tell-tale sign that a problem exists.
- Door Furniture: Buy new handles and locks for your entry doors. The elements and day-to-day living dull and scratch existing handles. Bright, shiny replacements will leave a good impression.