When selling a home, it is important to take everything into consideration. Even the smallest details can weigh heavily on a house’s likelihood of a sale. It may seem counter intuitive to invest money in a house you are trying to sell, but simple, cost-effective remodeling efforts can make a significant impact on the desirability of your home.
If you’re trying to close the deal quickly, upgrading key areas of your home will help, particularly if you plan on holding an open house. Open houses are a great way to exhibit your home and the qualities that make it a great option or investment for a buyer. However, open houses give buyers a very close and detailed look into the home. While this is often what convinces a buyer to move forward with the purchase, it is imperative that the home be as appealing as possible.
The following tips offer advice on minor renovations that will produce major results, helping you sell your home without breaking your budget.
Plumbing Fixtures
You likely won’t want to upgrade all your appliances at this time, as new stoves, refrigerators and sinks can be expensive. However, changing out old, worn fixtures like knobs and faucets can go a long way in helping your kitchen or bathroom look more modern and fresh.
Bright Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of staging an open house. Inadequate lighting is definitely a proven downside to a buyer. When a room, or even a whole home, is dimly light, it automatically negatively affects a buyer’s opinion on a home. Additionally, poor lighting often keeps buyers from noticing the accents of the room that would otherwise be clear.
The simple rule of thumb in showing off your home is to keep it bright. You want buyers to like the house, so use light to show it off! Installing new, bright lighting fixtures that match your decor and design aesthetic is an excellent idea.
Color
Color is another very important piece of showing off your home. You want to make sure that your home has some color; contrast always helps catch a buyer’s eyes. It’s easy to add color by bringing in decorations like a fun throw or a vase of flowers, but to make a bigger splash, a fresh coat of paint is an even better choice.
Accentuate your home’s most impressive spaces by repainting them. Whether you choose a new, bolder color or prefer to touch up the color you have, flawless walls will surely draw attention to the part of your home that you want prospective buyers to notice.
Symmetry
Symmetry is keeping everything in visual balance. It is nearly impossible to keep a home completely symmetrical; the dimensions and space constraints of most homes just don’t allow this. But choosing the right furnishings, shelving and cabinetry can make even challenging layouts seem open and inviting .
A custom cabinet or shelf for a seemingly off-balance room can do wonders for restoring symmetry, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms, where space is generally at a premium. Buyers pay close attention to these areas and will appreciate any effort to maximize the functionality of counter space and work areas.
Smell
This is more of a staging tip, but it’s important to remember that smell plays an important part of selling your home. You want your home to smell good. There’s a reason many people make baked goods for open houses. While providing a delicious snack, baking gives the home a comfortable and appealing scent. Burning a candle prior to holding a visit or open house is another good way to add a comforting smell to the home.
Selling your home is often a long and stressful process. If you prepare with some easy pre-sale remodeling and staging techniques, it can take a significant weight off of your shoulders.
