When it comes time to consider putting your home on the market, there are a variety of factors that will influence your success. These include the current market, the time of the year, your home’s location, and, ultimately, your home’s condition.

While you may think that a good market means you need to rush out and put up a for-sale sign, that’s not necessarily the case. Making smart, cost-effective, noticeable upgrades and repairs to your home is by far the best way to ensure it will sell quickly and for a high price. So instead of trying to sell fast, try to sell right. Let’s take a look at some of the repairs and renovations that offer the best returns on your investment. 

Before You Begin

Before you dive into your renovations, hammers waving in the air, and 2x4s sitting squarely over your shoulder, you should consider how to make the best use of your budget. To start, make a list of anything in your home that’s defective, worn out, or needs a little TLC. 

Even something as simple as a neglected bathtub can make prospective buyers wonder what else you haven’t kept up with over the years. Take stock of any stained or patchy carpeting that needs cleaned or replaced or dull or chipping paint that needs redone and add those to your to-do list. 

Next, think about the areas in your home that will provide the most bang for your buck. This usually includes the kitchen, bathroom, and yard.  These areas are hot-ticket items for potential buyers, and they can often be repaired or upgraded without massive price tags. 

Give a Little Love to Your Landscape

If you have the equipment, you can take care of some of the basics by yourself. Make sure your lawn is trimmed and edged, and any vegetation is kept in check. If you don’t have any flowers, plant them around your home in complementary spots. Bushes, shrubs, and trees should be trimmed so that they’re not taking over. If you’re not up for this task, you should hire a landscaper and then keep up on the maintenance.  

You also want your entry area to appear welcoming, so make sure you have a brand-new welcome mat and a freshly stained or painted door. Any porch furniture should fit the rest of the décor and be well maintained. Never underestimate the power of curb appeal when selling your home.

Get Cooking in the Kitchen

When you’re selling your home, you want your buyers to envision themselves living there day-to-day, and nothing does that more cost-effectively than an upgraded kitchen.  If you’re on a limited budget, you can update the hardware on cabinets and drawer pulls. A more modern tile backsplash and a few new appliances can make a hesitant buyer pull the trigger. If you have more money to spare, upgrading your cabinets is a worthwhile investment. 

Spruce Up the Bathroom

Nothing makes buyers happier than a clean, simple, modern bathroom. If you want a quick pick-me-up, regrouting or steam cleaning tiles can go a long way. New caulking along the bathtub can brighten up an otherwise dingy area. If you have a bit more money to invest in the bathroom, a new sink and faucet can make a world of difference. Add in a new mirror and lighting fixtures, and you’ll feel like you’ve created an entirely new room.

Wood Floors are in

If you were thinking about cleaning or replacing your carpets, you might not have to. If you have a wood floor waiting to shine through underneath, save yourself the expense. Clean and refurbish the wood floor, and you’ll be impressed at the results. If you don’t have a wood floor, or the floor is in poor condition, it may be worth it to invest. 

Don’t Get Shut Out by Old Windows

When your prospective buyer comes strolling through, you can bet they’re going to want to check every door and window. If you have a window that doesn’t even open, you’re going to scare off a lot of buyers. If they can’t also trust that your windows open, how can they believe that the furnace or water heater has been adequately maintained? 

If you tackle even a few of these simple repairs, you’re guaranteed to sell faster and turn a profit on the upgrades. 

Additional Resources

• Tips For Homeowners To Save Energy – A home with a low cost of energy is a great selling point for buyers and the tips in this article will help with that.
• Should You Remodel Your Home Before Selling? – Wondering if a home renovation makes sense prior to selling a home, depending on the area of the house it can make great sense as this article explores.