We all want to sell as quickly as possible, for as much money as possible. It is possible to increase the desirability of your property and boost its value, as long as you make the right choices when it comes to getting it ready for a sale and general upgrades. Unfortunately, many don’t think things through and end up making bad investments.
What should you be investing in? What are buyers looking for? What is going to position your property on the market in the most attractive way? Here’s how to make your home attractive to buyers.
1. Choose your upgrades carefully
The mistake a lot of homeowners make is that they rush to renovate every aspect of their home. And while that gives it a great, fresh look, the truth is that it won’t necessarily increase its value.
You see, some upgrades will get you more return than others, so you have to choose very carefully so you can make your money work for you. For example, adding a pool isn’t always a money maker. Sure, people are impressed, but not enough to be willing to pay more for it. Same goes for an unnecessary new roof or windows, or even a second-story addition. Too high a cost for not enough returns.
Now, extra bathrooms, a converted garage space, or a finished basement – those are upgrades that bring in the cash. Anytime you can add to the square footage of your home or increase its usability within the means of your neighborhood, that’s going to add to its desirability and value.
2. Don’t neglect the outside
Many forget that you’re not just selling your literal home, but that it also comes with the space around it. If you’re looking to boost your property value, you have to look beyond just the interior. It doesn’t matter how gorgeous your house is on the inside if the outside looks unappealing.
Think about the very first thing people see: the outside of your home. Curb appeal is one of the most important aspects of your property, because potential buyers form opinions based on what is visible from the outside. If your home looks cheap, you will get cheap offers.
Investing in curb appeal can very well be the best thing you can do for your home, and the good news is that it doesn’t require a lot of money or effort. The easiest thing to do is just give the outside of your home a good scrub. You’d be surprised at how much better the siding can look when it’s not grimy from the elements.
A fresh coat of paint never hurts – and if you can pick an eye-catching color, so much the better – and a new door can provide that visual contrast that attracts the attention of passers-by. Even just changing the color of the door can be enough.
As for the yard, keep things simple. Remove bushes and branches that obstruct the house, put in a lush lawn, and keep flower beds or bushes to a minimum. The point is to create a well-maintained yard that complements the home.
3. There’s no need to show your personality
If your house isn’t selling, one reason may be that you’re unintentionally putting off buyers. Many homeowners don’t make any changes to the home when trying to sell it, which is a mistake. Leaving your family photos on the walls and keeping that red statement wall can create hesitation.
Why? Because buyers can’t imagine themselves living in this house; it’s still your home. A solution to this problem is to “neutralize” your space. Paint the walls neutral colors, and start clearing away common spaces, as much as possible. Junior’s toys strewn all over the floor won’t help sell the great space that is your living room.
Keep the home clean and tidy and it will be a great neutral template for potential buyers to “slot” themselves into. If you can capture their imagination, you’re halfway there. Don’t sabotage your own sale because you can’t let go of the need to display your personality. Proper staging can go a long way.
4. Don’t sell an outdated property
You may think that upgrading is not worth it if you’re just going to sell, but depending what you choose to do, it may very well attract buyers you wouldn’t have otherwise had. No matter how well it’s maintained, an outdated property is not going to excite many people or attract lucrative offers.
Think about the current buyer and what they’re looking for. Right now, that’s Millennials, and what they want is a tech-friendly home. It’s all about comfort and convenience, so find ways to make your home connected and incorporate smart technology. Studies show that buyers are more willing to pay extra for smart tech, so take advantage of that trend.
5. Let go of unrealistic expectations
Sellers may have a lot of leeway in very popular markets, but you should still adjust your expectations. One of the main reasons why homes don’t sell is because they’re priced too high for what they offer. Look at your property with a critical eye and be honest with yourself: are you offering value for money? And if not, what can you do about it?
A great idea is to make sure that the buyers have means of saving money in the long-run. If there are any major repairs that need to be done, completing them before selling can be a major point of attraction for buyers.
Otherwise, investing in means of reducing consumption, such as solar panels, smart thermostats, and other similar provisions ensure long-term savings that many buyers look for and justify the higher price tag for your property.
Final thoughts
All in all, selling your home can be easy, but there are a lot of common mistakes you need to avoid. Pricing your property too high, ignoring the outside of your home, or not staging it properly are all things that can hold you back and decrease the value of your house. Make sure you invest in all the right upgrades and you’ll not only sell your home quickly, but you’ll also fetch a great price for it.
