Homes are selling fast today, and many homeowners are surprised to find out how much their home could be worth. When it comes time to sell, it’s still a good idea to look into the different things that can be done to increase the value of the home and help it sell faster. This doesn’t mean tackling big-budget items like renovating the kitchen, though those can be a great way to add value. There are actually a number of strategies that are proven to work and that are much less expensive for homeowners to try. Six strategies any homeowners will want to do to increase the value of the home include the following.
Offer a Home Warranty
Consider offering a home warranty with the sale of the home. Buyers don’t want to risk anything breaking right after purchase since they have spent a lot of money buying the home. They’ll be cautious about buying a home with an older air conditioner or appliances because of the risk of these items breaking down. Home warranties are one of the best methods of adding value to your home, as they provide buyers with the peace of mind. If anything does happen within a year after buying the home, it will be covered by the home warranty, so the buyers won’t have to worry about it as much.
Work on the Landscaping
Curb appeal makes a huge difference. Poor curb appeal can make it more difficult to get buyers in the door to look at the house. Sprucing up the yard doesn’t need to take a lot of money or mean you need to hire a landscaper. Basic maintenance and adding new flowers can make a huge difference in how the yard looks and how attractive the home is to the buyer.
Start by cleaning up the yard and removing anything that’s dead or dying. Create sharp lines between garden beds and the grass, pull any weeds in the garden beds or yard, and remove any yard ornaments. Stop by local nurseries to find native plants as these will grow better in the area and make a big difference in how the home looks.
Swap the Front Door Handle
Over time, door handles start to get dirty and the colors can start to fade. Switching out the front door handle can improve the look of the home significantly, not to mention it will work better and help the home look like it has been taken care of better. A variety of handles are available today to fit just about any style and to match or complement the exterior of any home. Homeowners can do this on their own or hire a locksmith to make sure the job is done right. Either way, it’s an inexpensive change that can make a huge difference when it comes to the perceived value of the home.
Refresh the Paint
No matter how expensive the paint was, it’s eventually going to start fading due to sunlight entering the home and start to look dirty from all of the dust and fingerprints that build up over the years. A fresh coat of paint can refresh the entire look inside the home and make the house far more attractive to potential buyers.
Fresh paint shows the house has been cared for and is ready for a new owner. Everyone does have different tastes, so it’s best to stick with neutral colors when it comes to painting the whole home. This allows buyers to really picture their own belongings and style in the home, encouraging them to make the purchase.
Upgrade Cabinet Hardware
Cabinet hardware, like the hardware on the door, is going to start to look old eventually. Even if it looks like it’s in good shape, it may be outdated. Changing the cabinet hardware can ensure everything matches, provide a more modern look, and help improve the appearance of the cabinets. Changing the cabinet hardware is generally easy to do, especially if no drilling is involved. If the current hardware has two screws to hold it in place, measure the distance between the screws and pick out new hardware that has the same distance. With the plethora of options available today, this shouldn’t be difficult to do.
Wash the House
A good bath can restore just about anything, and the house is no exception. Taking the time to wash the house gets rid of the tiny cobwebs, dust, dirt, and anything else that’s covering up the beauty of the home. Homeowners can pressure wash on their own or hire a professional to do the job. When pressure washing, take care to avoid washing anything that could be damaged by the high pressure of the water. While pressure washing the house, consider also washing the driveways, walkways, and any other hard surfaces that may need cleaning.
Bonus Strategy: Start Moving Out
Move almost everything out of the home. Staging is a great way to show potential buyers the possibilities with a home, but the number of items in the home should be kept to a minimum. Remove any personal items like photos, get rid of as much furniture as possible, and set the stage so it looks like the home is clean, cared for, and loved. Set the places at the dining room table and add fresh flowers to make the home look great while still minimizing the personal touches so buyers can see the potential in the home and imagine how it will look once they’ve moved in.
The true value of a home is whatever buyers are willing to pay. Though the upgrades here might not increase the appraisal amount, they’re going to make the home far more attractive for buyers and will increase the likelihood that the home sells faster and for a higher price. Each of these solutions is inexpensive, so give them all a try to see what a difference they can make for increasing the value of your home when you decide to sell your home.