TOP 5 HOME IMPROVEMENTS
TO INCREASE MARKET VALUE
1. PAINT Both interior and exterior painting is by far the best investment one can make towards their home as it can easily earn more than a 100% return and make your home feel fresh and clean for a new homeowner. Patch any holes in interior walls and outside stucco. Be sure to use neutral paint colors that appeal to a large percentage of home shoppers.
2. LIGHTING, DOOR HANDLES, BLINDS, SWITCHES & OUTLETS I’ve grouped these smaller five items together because after paint and severely worn-out or stained carpet, they are what smart property investors usually replace immediately, as the investment is small in relation to the financial return one can realize. If any of these items presently date your home, you might consider replacing them as well. You can usually find deals on door hardware, light fixtures and faux wood blinds at the larger home improvement stores.
3. KITCHEN You may have heard the saying, “The kitchen sells the home.” While this isn’t always the case, a kitchen does tend to be where the buyer spends the most time while touring a home and where their eye is naturally drawn. But, you have to be very careful when approaching a kitchen remodel, as its costs can vary tremendously, and you could lose out if you take it too far. It may not require a complete overhaul. Your cabinets may simply need refinishing or new handles installed. A tasteful, but colorful backsplash above all the counters is both inexpensive and eye-catching. Spend a little extra for an elegant faucet for your kitchen sink. If your countertops are worn or severely outdated, you may want to look into having them replaced, as they take up a great deal of the area’s visual space. Lastly, if your kitchen appliances are old, hammered or don’t match up in color, try to find a set that has a great look without breaking the bank. Furniture and appliance stores will usually have deals on slightly defective appliances or floor models.
4. BATHROOMS If anything in your bathrooms could potentially “turn-off” a prospective buyer including stains, dripping faucets or water damage, fix it or replace it. Bathroom sinks, vanities toilets, and faucets are actually quite inexpensive and local deals can usually be found. Because of the limited floor space in a bathroom, replacing worn out linoleum or tile can be a very economical improvement. If you opt out of remodeling the bathrooms, fresh caulking around the showers, tubs and sinks is a must.
5. CURB APPEAL I can’t tell you how many times I’ve witnessed my buyer clients make a decision on a home before they walk through the front door. For most people, buying a home is as much an emotional decision as it is a logical one. Thus, first impressions are extremely important as it relates to real estate. Once again, you can choose to spend tens of thousands of dollars on landscaping and other curb appeal items, but you likely will not get your money back. Instead, go for the most noticeable items where you’ll get the most bang for your buck. Stand across the street, look at your home and imagine you’re the buyer. Take note of any dead spots or edging needs in the lawn, overgrown trees or bushes that need trimming, out of control weeds that need pulling and any items that should be removed such as vehicles, hoses, toys or garbage cans. Give your front yard some levels of elevation, depth and color by planting a couple of bushes and trees and placing bright flowers in planter beds. If the front door to your home is boring and bleak, consider painting it a bold color or replacing it altogether with something more modern. Install new outdoor lighting fixtures and plant bright flowers in large pots near the home’s entrance. If there are any oil stains on the driveway, hire a professional to pressure wash the cement surfaces. If the cement has several cracks or is beyond cleaning, get an estimate on the cost to fix and paint it (not replace it). Garage doors can be expensive to replace, but if your current garage door is dented, make sure you get it repaired and painted.
Interested in what your home might be worth in today’s market?
Call or e-mail me and I’ll give you a FREE, no-hassle home evaluation and comparative market analysis. Also, visit www.HomeInStGeorge.com for DIRECT access to the MLS and search ALL homes for sale in southern Utah.
Joel Robertson
Your Trusted Realtor for Life
Realtypath LLC
(435) 773-1220
[email protected]