Six home improvement projects you must do before you sell

When you’re in a hurry to sell your home, you may be tempted to forgo crucial home improvement projects in order to sell more quickly. But ironically enough, the opposite usually occurs. While improvement projects can delay the time until you put your house in the market, it pays off in the long run by adding to the cost you can get for your home and by making it more likely to sell in a timely manner. Here are six home improvement projects that you shouldn’t ignore in a rush to sell your home.

Spruce up the grounds

Just as people judge a book by its cover, prospective buyers will judge a house by its front yard. A little work on landscaping goes a long way because it’s the first thing would-be buyers notice when they pull in front of the house. If the curb appeal isn’t there, many may have a negative view of your home that will taint the whole experience as they move inside. If it’s in your budget, you can have a landscaper come in to do a once-over of if you want to save some money you can do the work yourself.

Love the hardwood

Most buyers prefer hardwood to carpet, at least on the main floor. This is especially true if your carpets are dated. When a prospective buyer walks into your home, they’re thinking about what it’s going to cost to tear up the carpeting and have wood floors installed. But if you anticipate what they want and have the wood flooring installed yourself, you’ll get more for your home and you’ll have an easier time selling it.

Fix windows and doors

In older homes, shifting will cause windows and doors to become difficult to open and close. If you’ve got some doors and/or windows that stick, chances are, buyers will notice. It’s a small detail but replacing doors and windows, especially if you go with energy efficient ones, will make a big difference in buyers’ minds.

Paint or wash walls

Paint color can be one of the biggest turn-offs for would-be buyers. That’s because paint color is very subjective and what one person likes, another person won’t. It can be hard for a buyer to visualize themselves in your home if they aren’t comfortable with the paint color. The best solution is to repaint the interior with a neutral color that will appeal to the widest number of people possible. Already have a neutral color? If so, you may still want to repaint or at least wash the walls. Over time you’ve become used to the wear and tear that is showing on your walls but buyers will notice immediately.

Clean the cabinets

Cleaning out cabinets is a simple task you can do in an hour or two that can make a surprisingly big difference. When buyers come through your home, they’ll be looking inside drawers and cupboards and if they see a mess, it can lessen the experience for them.

Upgrade the lighting

Brightening up the space by installing new lighting is one of the biggest things you can do to change the look of your home. As an added bonus, brighter lighting will make your home appear larger and more open than it actually is.

Source: Realtor.com

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