Before you place your home on the market, you must aim to make it as attractive as possible to potential buyers. Yet, you might be unsure about the best choices to make to enhance its aesthetic appeal, resale value, and ambiance to secure many fantastic offers.
A handful of changes could alter the look and feel of your property, helping you lock in a buyer and move on to the next stage in your life. If you want to secure a buyer quickly and easily, here are eight home improvements to make before selling.
- A Roof Refresh
An old or damaged roof can be a major dealbreaker for many prospective property buyers. After all, missing, loose, or cracked shingles can cause water damage, mold, pests, and structural issues, which can be difficult to resolve.
If your roof has one or more issues, you can almost guarantee the problem will be flagged in the surveyor’s report following a home inspection. As a result, a potential buyer might refuse to purchase the house until you repair any problems or may walk away from the sale.
Rather than delaying a move or missing out on a sale, it is wise to review your roof before placing it on the market. Ensure you hire dependable roofing contractors near you to repair or replace your roof, which will prevent issues and even boost your home’s resale value.
- A Fresh Coat of Neutral Paint
Discolored, chipped, or flaky paintwork can be off-putting to potential buyers, as it indicates that a property has been neglected throughout the years. Also, a polarizing color might make it harder for a house hunter to imagine life in your home, meaning they will be less likely to make you an offer.
For this reason, it is wise to give every room in your home a fresh lick of paint in a neutral color scheme. An attractive, inoffensive color will transform your property and help a house hunter envisage cooking, relaxing, and entertaining in the property.
Great neutral color schemes include:
- Beige
- Off-white
- Tan
- Light grey
- Soft blue
- Spruce Up Your Exterior
Your exterior will offer a first impression of your home. If your front door appears worn and damaged, your driveway is unloved, or your lawn is full of weeds, a prospective buyer might think twice about stepping inside.
For this reason, you must spruce up your exterior to wow house hunters and attract many offers. In addition to mowing the lawn and removing any trash or debris, set time aside to trim any hedges, add new potted plants and flowers, or power wash your siding and driveway. Also, give your front door a lick of paint and install new hardware, or replace it with a high-quality design to make the property the envy of the street.
- Fix Small Issues
While a leaky faucet or a creaky floorboard might not bother you in the home, it could stop a prospective buyer from making an offer. The small issue might suggest the house has additional problems, which they might not find until they have received the keys.
Don’t allow a small issue to impact your property’s time on the market. Instead, fix any small issues in the home, such as:
- Squeaky doors
- Loose or creaking floorboards
- Signs of damp
- Dripping faucets
- Cracked tiles
- Broken handles or lightbulbs
- Give Your Kitchen a Makeover
Kitchens sell houses, which is why you must give yours a little TLC if it is needed. Before you run out and purchase a brand-new kitchen, consider whether there are any changes you can make to the existing design to enhance its aesthetic appeal and function.
For instance, all you might need to do is repaint the cabinets, replace your countertop, and install a new backsplash, handles, and faucet. A few small changes could make a dramatic difference to its look and feel.
- Repair Plumbing and Electrical Issues
The last thing you will want is to be caught off guard by an electrical or plumbing issue when selling your home. Like your roofing, the issue is likely to be found during a home inspection, which could lead to long delays. A prospective buyer might view a wiring or piping system problem as a huge red flag and walk away from the property, forcing you to place your home back on the market.
Prevent headaches by investing in a pre-listing inspection, which can identify any plumbing or electrical problems in advance. For instance, it might identify that you need to hire a plumber to improve your home’s water pressure, fix a leak, or clear a clogged drain. Also, a qualified electrician may need to update outdated electrical wiring, install a new circuit breaker panel, or repair faulty outlets.
- Give Each Room a Clear Purpose
Every room within the home should have a specific purpose. While some rooms will have an obvious function, such as the kitchen and bathroom, you might need to define other spaces in the home.
For instance, you may want to turn a multi-use spare bedroom into a home office or a playroom, or transform your garage into a gym or a storage room. It will allow a prospective buyer to see more potential in the space and help them fall in love with the property.
- Freshen Up Your Bathroom
Every prospective buyer wants to walk into an attractive, clean, and welcoming bathroom when viewing a property. Attempt to create a spa-like environment by making small improvements to the space.
For instance, you could:
- Regrout your tiles
- Change your toilet seat
- Replace your faucets and shower head
- Upgrade your flooring
- Deep clean the space
- Banish mold and mildew
- Apply a fresh coat of neutral paint or wallpaper
- Install a stylish light fixture
- Hang fresh, fluffy towels
- Add more storage (think face-level cabinets, floating shelves, and storage baskets)
The above improvements will make your bathroom appear cleaner, more attractive, and luxurious, which could make a potential buyer eager to buy your home.