Home Improvement Tips You Should Consider Before Selling Your Home

Millions of Americans decide to relocate to new homes every year. And while nearly half of all moves take place in the summer, between the beginning of May and Labor Day, autumn is actually the optimal time for moving to a new home. With cooler temperatures and less competition for moving assistance, you’ll often have a much easier time making this transition if you schedule your move for the fall. That being said, you will need to get your home ready for sale many months before placing it on the market. 

Here are a few home improvement recommendations to help you get top dollar for your home. 

Painting

Painting is the lowest cost improvement with the highest rate of return. When trying to sell, a nice coat of neutral paint can give the entire house a facelift, and buyers really love to see freshly painted, scuff-free walls. Consider getting color recommendations from your real estate agent since paint colors can be complicated depending on lighting and other features in the house such as floors, cabinets and other trim work. 

Landscaping 

At first thought, it may seem like a waste to invest in landscaping right before you sell your home. However, it’s important not to underestimate landscaping as an impactful sales tool! Depending on the amount you do, upgrading your landscape will drive potential buyers and possibly increase the final sale of your home. 

While it may not be necessary to completely redesign your home’s landscape, there are certainly benefits to consulting with a landscape company before your house hits the market. A professional consultation can help you zero in on the aspects of your landscape with the highest potential to boost your return.

Lighting 

A simple update for a small investment that can make a big impact on the interior of your home. As you look at options remember to keep colors consistent with your home’s hardware. If you have a bunch of different metals such as bronze, copper or brushed nickel with chrome, but you wouldn’t want to mix silver and gold tones. Remember old brass fixtures can look badly dated, since they were often used in in the 80’s and 90’s. 

Roof Replacement

Putting your house on the market with an old roof is a bad idea. An old roof is one of the biggest deal-breakers for potential homebuyers, and the longer your house sits on the market the lower your listing price will get. Even if you do manage to interest a potential buyer into buying your house as-is, chances are your listing price will significantly drop.

To get your house off the market quickly and for the most value, it’s best to contact the local roof replacement contractors near you. An asphalt shingle roof replacement has a return on investment of approximately 62%. Potential homebuyers are also more interested in homes that have recently undergone a roof replacement because it means they won’t need a roof replacement for at least another 20 years.

Carpet & Floors

Replacing carpet and/or upgrading floors is an improvement that 26% of homeowners make, according to Zillow. If your floors look worn and you have a bunch of different colors, woods and patterns, you might want to invest in new flooring. In recent studies, homebuyers prefer wood floors, or even faux-wood floors to carpeting. However, you can’t afford to upgrade to wood, new carpeting is still an important selling point. And just like with painting, we recommend using a neutral color.

Kitchen

From upgrading appliances cabinets and counter tops, kitchen remodels have become increasingly popular. This renovation can be expensive, but it really depends on what your home needs.  If you have old appliances that look dirty, we highly recommend replacing them.  If you can, upgrade your counters with granite as this is a very common request from buyers. 

Proper lighting is essential for any type of cooking, especially if it involves hot surfaces, sharp knives, or other dangerous elements. Avoid an accident by making sure your kitchen’s lights are bright enough to provide adequate lighting for all areas of your kitchen. On top of safety concerns, inadequate lighting will make even the best designed kitchen look drab and cramped.

Bathrooms

Updating your bathroom can offer a great return on investment, according to data from Zillow. A bathroom that looks old can really date a house and turn buyers away.  A few lavish bathroom updates would include new counters, tiling, and possibly adding a frameless glass door as well as a new sink and tub. Rember to stay with neutral colors, and no funky designs or raised panels.

If you don’t have the cash for a lavish bathroom upgrade consider cleaning or replacing the grout, which you could probably do or hire a contractor for a nominal cost.  Also, consider painting the bathroom, including the cabinets. If you can’t replace the cabinets, you can paint them. You can also consider a bath fitter company to make your bath or shower look new. 

Now that you know what to do — and what not to do when it comes to home improvement recommendations to prepare your house for a move, you’ll have a comprehensive checklist that will make moving day that much easier.