Here are some tips for how to get the best bang for your buck on your home renovations, even in a tight real estate market.
1. Curb Appeal
If your house doesn’t look appealing from the outside, chances are a potential buyer will never make it inside. If the color of your house is fading, painting is a good place to start your improvements. Choose colors and exterior details that match the period of your house. Paving a driveway or walkway that is in disrepair is a must, because this is what leads people to your home — you want it to be welcoming. Attractive, manicured front-yard landscaping will also add value to your home. Easy-to-care-for perennials are a good option if you don’t have a green thumb. And don’t forget about your backyard either. Outdoor living is very popular as more people wish to commune with nature in the comfort of their own home. Sprucing up a deck or patio with attractive furniture,
2. Kitchen is King
A “modern/updated kitchen” topped the list of ideal home features in a survey of millennials. If you plan to sell, don’t rip your kitchen down to the studs; a smaller investment can have serious impact. A new suite of stainless steel appliances, or a new quartz countertop and flooring, resulting in a fresh, coordinated look. Applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls or cabinets, and updating the hardware, can also breathe new life into the space.
3. Keep It Stress-Free
Beyond a home’s cosmetic finishes, it’s important to keep the major mechanical systems in working order. Many first-time buyers will have used up much of their savings on the down payment, so they want to know that the heating system, plumbing, and electricity have been recently updated. Central air conditioning is also in demand because it eliminates the need to switch window units in and out. An example: Hardwood floors. More carpets are being replaced with long-wearing hardwood flooring with a durable finish.
4. Build A Home For All Ages
The homes we see now aren’t equipped to safely accommodate older people: too many steep staircases, narrow walker-unfriendly doorways, and slippery step-in bathtubs and showers. Forward-thinking homeowners are making necessary improvements to their home now, and those changes will benefit people of all ages, not just seniors. An example: Walk-in shower. Curbless showers eliminate the problem of having to step over the tub to shower. They also make showers wheelchair accessible, not to mention sleek and streamlined.
5. Paint Paint Paint
Paint keeps your home looking its best while also protecting its surfaces from wear, tear, and the elements. If you’re getting ready to sell, don’t blow thousands having every square inch repainted. Instead, focus on high-traffic areas, including the kitchen and bathrooms. Go for a neutral color scheme. Whites and off-whites remain the top-selling interior colors and will appeal to most homebuyers, allowing them to envision the space as their own. Neutrals appeal to all generations of buyers as well.