The real estate market presents many opportunities for sellers. If you want your house to stand out from rivals', however, you need to plan accordingly. As part of your planning, you need to consider home updates and repairs.
For example, certain home updates and repairs can deliver significant returns on investment. These include:
1. Paint
Paint can wear down over time, resulting in chipping and other damage. If left unaddressed, paint damage can hamper the appearance of your home's interior and exterior. Worst of all, this issue can make it virtually impossible for buyers to envision what life may be like if they purchase your home.
Use a scraper, wire brush, sandpaper, and other tools to fix paint chips and damage. In addition, verify any paint colors you use are consistently applied to different areas of your house. This ensures your home's interior and exterior will dazzle buyers and increases the likelihood of a fast and profitable sale.
2. Walls and Ceilings
You may notice dents, dings, and holes in your home's walls and ceilings. Discoloration can also appear on these interior surfaces. By treating these problems today, you can ensure they won't detract from your home's visual appeal.
Patch minor wall and ceiling damage whenever possible. If necessary, repaint walls and ceilings. These home repairs generally won't take long to complete. But they can make a world of difference in the eyes of buyers.
3. Flooring
Chipped or cracked floor tiles are unlikely to do you any favors when you try to stir up interest in your home. Torn carpeting or scratched or dented hardwood flooring can be problematic for home sellers, too.
Replace chipped or cracked floor tiles. If you have torn carpeting, replace it. Or, if you have damaged hardwood flooring, refinish it. Regardless of flooring, it helps to clean it before you list your house. This ensures your floors can add to your house's appeal.
4. HVAC
A properly working HVAC system is a must-have for home sellers. If your HVAC system falls short of buyers' expectations, the issue will likely be identified during a house inspection. At this point, a defective HVAC system can cause your home sale to fall apart.
Test your HVAC system and confirm it is free of cracks and leaks. Verify that your home's thermostat works correctly. If you have HVAC system concerns or questions, enlist an HVAC specialist for additional help.
5. Yard
Your landscaping can set the stage for making a positive first impression on buyers. Conversely, if your yard is loaded with weeds and crabgrass, buyers may quickly move past your home and consider other residences.
Prioritize your landscaping, as this can add thousands of dollars in value to your house. To do so, partner with a landscaper to discover ways to take your yard landscaping to the next level. You can establish a plan to ensure your landscaper performs regular lawn care and maintenance to keep your yard looking great when you sell your home. Plus, your landscaper can provide tips, recommendations, and insights to help you use the right features to enhance your yard's appearance.
Tips to Update and Repair Your Home Before You List It
Updating and repairing your home can be fast and simple. Here are tips to help you improve your residence before you sell it.
1. Evaluate Your Home's Interior and Exterior
Perform an objective evaluation of your house. Consider the buyer's perspective and look for any issues that could impact your ability to get the best price for your house. For instance, does the water heater need an upgrade because your hot water isn’t that hot? Do your concrete steps need to be repaired? Oftentimes, it helps to make a list of issues you identify during an audit of your house's interior and exterior. Next, you can use this list to determine what home upgrades and repairs you want to complete.
2. Consider Eco-Friendly Home Upgrades
Take advantage of innovative building materials to give your home and garden eco-friendly upgrades. Believe it or not, there are pollution-absorbing bricks, and the manufacture of which is actually more eco-friendly than creating traditional bricks. Use these to refresh your home’s facade or fencing. You can also plant a garden that helps transform an ordinary yard into an extraordinary one. Quarantine-friendly home upgrades are typically affordable and do not require extensive time, energy, and resources to complete. They can help distinguish your home from comparable ones and may lead to multiple offers from buyers.
3. Hire a Good Handyman
Seek out a good handyman who possesses a wide range of home improvement expertise. The ideal handyman is timely, professional, and cost-effective. This individual ensures your requested home updates or repairs are completed on schedule. Furthermore, your handyman should perform work using the best tools and equipment and following tried-and-true methods and techniques. Your handyman should not break your budget, either. Thus, your handyman delivers a great combination of convenience, quality, and affordability and enables you to get your home ready for the real estate market without delay.
Prepare Your Home for the Real Estate Market
Demand for homes across the United States has been increasing in 2021, and the U.S. real estate market shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Perform house updates and repairs — you'll be glad you did. With the right home updates and repairs, you can enjoy a successful home selling experience.
