When you are preparing to sell your house, the last thing you want to do is dump extra money into projects that won’t increase your final sale price. But that doesn’t mean you can’t tackle a few light-lift projects. Interestingly, some of the home remodels projects that have the highest return on investment are not at all expensive or flashy. Infact, they are small light-lift projects that can easily be done. With relatively little hassle and not much financial investment, these light-lit projects can help your home sell quickly and for a higher price.
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Freshen Up Your Curb Appeal
Over 90% of real estate agents think sellers should tackle landscaping projects before selling their house and over 76% of agents believe that improving curb appeal is the number one thing a homeowner can do to boost the marketability of their home. Luckily, freshening your curb appeal doesn’t need to be expensive or time consuming. A quick grass trim, debris removal, and fresh layer of mulch can go a long way with minimal investment. An additional curb appeal boost is planting small shrubs and perennials. These are relatively inexpensive but add greenery and bright color to your home with very little maintenance. A final project to boost curb appeal is the addition of outdoor lighting. Small solar pathway lights, a few hanging lanterns and a well placed spot light are all you need to make your home shine.
Paint Your Walls
The most important light-lift project you will do prior to selling your home is painting your walls. A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to change the value and the overall feel of your home. That’s why over 57% of real estate agents suggest painting the interior of your house before selling. But don’t go crazy at the paint store looking for the boldest shades of red or pink you can find. The paint colors that are most favored by buyers are neutral colors. Soft whites, beige, warm grays are all shades that buyers enjoy because they represent a blank canvas.
Fix Your Flooring
A bit more intensive than painting but still a project that 25% of real estate agents believe is worth undertaking prior to selling is upgrading or deep cleaning your flooring. Carpets tend to trap dirt and stains unless they are steam cleaned regularly. If your carpet hasn’t had a deep clean in years or if it is clearly outdated then it’s time to rip up that old carpet. You can replace your carpet with neutral colored carpet or you can install hardwood floors or premium vinyl. These options can be more expensive than carpet, but on average new wood floors bring a 51% return on investment. While you are deciding what kind of flooring to put down, remember that buyers appreciate a cohesive look throughout houses. So stick with one type of flooring and avoid switching from room to room.
Upgrade Your Kitchen
The kitchen is a make or break room for most buyers. So if you are getting ready to sell you want to really focus on making your kitchen stand out. The first way to do that is to replace old countertops. Just like your carpet, your countertops can really date your home, especially if they are worn or permanently stained. Countertops that are popular right now are granite, marble and quartz, however you should stick with a style of countertop that fits your kitchen. While you are upgrading your countertops take a look at your appliances. If your refrigerator and stove are severely dated then you should consider updating them as well. Stainless steel appliances are always desired by buyers. Appliances can really add to your overall cost, so keep your budget in mind and speak with your agent about how much new appliances can increase your final sales price. Along with new countertops and appliances, new hardware on your cabinets and drawers can improve your kitchen’s appearance. Stick with the same style as the rest of your kitchen and keep the hardware the same throughout the entire room.
Deep Clean and Upgrade Your Bathroom
Bathrooms can be…gross. There are tons of small crevices where dirt and grime can hide and they can be a hassle to clean. But a deep clean of the bathroom can really make it shine, so if you are dreading scrubbing your tub and toilet you can hire a professional cleaner to do the work for you. If you choose to scrub your bathroom yourself you’ll need to focus on neglected areas such as the caulk around the bathtub and the crevices between shower tiles. These need to be deep cleaned with special cleaners that will kill mildew and mold while whitening the surfaces. If your tile or linoleum is really chipping or cannot be cleaned due to set in stains then it might be time to update them both. This can get expensive depending on the tile and cost of professional labor to install and you may not find a high return on investment, so weigh your options on this one before you begin. Small fixes to the bathroom such as updated faucets and a rainshower head are easy remodels that are always appreciated by buyers.
Whether you choose to give your home a light-lift prior to selling is entirely up to you. Some projects can really benefit while others may only minimally impact your final sales price. Speak with your real estate agent and together you can decide what will benefit you and your home’s selling potential in the end.
