When putting a home on the market, sellers often assume they have to invest in major renovations or remodeling to bring in higher offers. In reality, your time and money are usually best spent elsewhere. I’m talking about inexpensive jobs that you can easily complete over the course of a weekend. Some of the simplest changes can have a major impact on your home value.
Here are a few recommendations to get you started…
Throw Out Your Clutter – When you show your home to potential buyers, you want to encourage them to imagine their belongings there and their family living in the home. It’s easier to create this for buyers if you do not have clutter currently filling the space. If you are considering moving, this is a great opportunity to get rid of what you do not need, and organize the rest. You can demonstrate to buyers that your home has a place for everything – with room to spare.
Trimming and Pruning – Never underestimate how curb appeal affects the value of your home. Overgrown grass, trees, and shrubbery create the appearance of neglect, and hide the home away from potential buyers. You can significantly increase the value of your house simply by keeping your lawn and trees trimmed back and maintained properly.
A Fresh Coat of Neutral Paint – One of the easiest and cheapest ways to add value to your home is to give the walls a fresh coat of paint. Stick with neutral, light colors such as off-white or taupe, which will give the rooms a fresh, clean, and spacious feel. Use only one color throughout the house, or add only a couple of additional related colors that will create a cohesive look and feel.
In the words of the late basketball coach, Red Auerbach, “Natural abilities are like natural plants; they need pruning by study.” I’ll see you next week!
