10 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value Before Selling
Selling your home is an exciting time but also one that’s incredibly daunting, especially if you’ve lived in the home for a long time. Not only do you need to think about the cost of moving but having to potentially declutter and pack up all your belongings in the interim.
At the same time, you want to get the best value for your home, depending of course on what it’s worth. Some real estate agents will price it above your expectations and some will price it below. Being realistic with your price point is important to get a sale but you also want to ensure you’re not selling for less than you’d hoped for.
With that being said, there are ways in which you can help increase your home’s value in the hopes of selling for more than you bought it for or that it’s worth currently. Here are some potential starting points for improving the value of your home before selling it.
Inspect the roof
Inspecting the roof is the first port of call when doing updates to your home. While your roof is meant to last a lifetime, that’s on average around fifty years give or take depending on how well maintained you keep it.
It also depends on when you moved into the property, which might determine when you need to do the necessary works, whether that be a roof replacement or a quick fix here and therefore.
Regular inspections are a great way to increase your home’s value by ensuring everything is in excellent condition for potential buyers. You should also have a professional roofing services on occasion to inspect the roof, ideally every year or so where possible. The more frequent these checks happen, the less likely big problems are going to occur as they’ll get resolved before they become serious.
Improve the curb appeal
Curb appeal is an important one when it comes to improving your home’s value before selling. You’ll want to find ways to improve it whether it be big changes like a new driveway, to replacing your front door or planters below your windows.
These small to large changes to your home’s appearance are going to improve the curb appeal for those buyers who are looking at your property for sale. Making these updates can significantly increase your home’s value, especially if they resolve potential concerns for buyers.
While it might not make a big difference to the home’s value, it can do a lot if it’s replacing issues with the home that would otherwise put buyers off. For example, a new driveway might set you back a few thousand but it could add on some value if the new buyers are looking for a driveway to park their cars on.
Some buyers can be put off by the appeal of the home when it comes to the exterior. As it’s the first thing buyers see, you’ll want to make sure it looks great from the moment they lay eyes on it.
Renovate any bathrooms or kitchens that are outdated
Renovation is a great way to update your property and add crucial value to the home. While extensions are where the real money is at, you can still turn a pretty dime or two with renovation work.
When it comes to renovations, you want to focus on the areas where you can make the biggest impact. For example, an outdated bathroom or tired-looking kitchen is a great way to update the space and bring it into a more modern setting. You’ll also find that buyers will want the property more based on the fact you’ve recently updated these rooms.
Try not to get too personal when it comes to renovating, especially if you’re planning to move. Try to keep it something that everyone will like, rather than embellishing it with anything that could put buyers off, rather than entice them.
Add on an extension where possible
Extensions are a fantastic way to add value to your home, especially when looking to maximize the amount you can get when it comes to the sale. With an extension, although costly, can end up doubling in value depending on what rooms you’re adding to the space.
Like a renovation, you want to be strategic in what you add to the renovation. Ideally, an extra bathroom or bedroom is going to boost its value. You might want to extend a space that is on the smaller side, whether that’s the kitchen space or living room. Extensions are one of the best investments if you’re aiming to increase your home’s value before selling.
Extensions are subject to whether you have the plans and permissions available to do it, so it’s important to enquire first and get the permissions approved before doing the work. Otherwise, you might be instructed to tear it all down.
Update plumbing and fix any broken or faulty piping
Plumbing is something that you want to stay on top of in any home, despite whether you bought it brand new when purchased or it’s decades older.
Plumbing is something that can easily get damaged whether it be through age with general wear and tear, to bad weather conditions that freeze pipes and cause them to burst.
This can cause some hefty leaking if not addressed quickly and if you’re looking to boost your home’s value, you don’t want to spend your profits on fixing problems that could have been prevented.
With that being said, look at how you could update any plumbing or fix any pipes that are broken or faulty.
Replace any white goods with energy-efficient ones
White goods are easily replaceable and should be if you’re planning to leave them behind for the new owners to enjoy.
While it’s fairly common for homeowners to take their white goods with them, it might be worth getting brand-new ones for the new homeowners. This can often be an attractive enticement when it comes to making a sale. When buyers are informed that all white goods are included, they might be doing the numbers in their heads on what they could save.
For first-time buyers who might not have white goods, this will be attractive as an option, so look at replacing any existing ones with energy-efficient models.
Make updates to the home to make it more smart and increase your home’s value
Updates to the home in order to make it more ‘smart’ is a necessity in this day and age. With younger buyers stepping onto the market, you have generations of buyers who are used to technology and come to expect more of it in their homes.
From smart thermostats to appliances you can control through your smartphone. These are updates that might not cost the earth but can add convenience to the buyers therefore making it a more influential potential as a property to buy.
Identify from current buyers on the market, what type of smart solutions they’re looking for in the home and add them in if they’re not already there.
Improve it’s energy efficiency with insulation
Talking of energy-efficiency appliances, if you’re able to make the home more energy-efficient, you’re helping to save future homeowners money on their utility bills. That’s a great benefit in buying a home, so it’s worth looking at what ways in which you can improve energy efficiency.
One such way would be to add insulation to the home. Insulation comes in all forms and prices, so it’s worth seeing what your home needs and adding it where possible. Not only is insulation great for energy efficiency but it will also protect your home in more ways than one.
Fix any superficial defects
While you might not think a scuff to the wall or a faulty fixture that’s never worked is insignificant, it might sway your buyers into buying the property or not.
Superficial defects are minor problems that might not have a big impact on the appearance and functionality of the home but could influence a buyer over the line and make the offer necessary.
Fixing any superficial defects is important and it’s something that you want to do ahead of having buyers around to view the property. Take a closer look at every inch of the property, adding things to this snag list that you can work your way through in preparation for selling the home.
It’s the little things that add up, so the more you can fix and update, the better it will be for you to sell at some point in the near future.
Improve the backyard where appropriate
The backyard needs as much attention as the front yard does. While it might be seen as much by buyers, it’s still part of the property and one that needs tending too regularly. You might not be much of a green thumb or spend a lot of time out in the backyard, but keeping it trimmed and clutter-free can make a big difference to its appearance.
Consider making improvements to the backyard where appropriate. Keep it free of clutter, trim back hedges and trees, and add anything that might add some more appeal to the space.
Increasing your home’s value before selling is always helpful, so use these tips to make it the best it can be before buyers come around to visit.