Before putting one’s home in the market, consider tasks to work on first. Properly-planned renovation for strategic areas of the home is the secret behind getting the best offers once it is sale ready.
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- Kitchen
Recent polls have shown that buyers are very particular about the kitchen when choosing a home. A majority of homeowners spend much of their time in the kitchen, cooking and enjoying meals with their families.
That’s why it’s worth investing in kitchen renovation before putting any home up for sale. Sellers can keep their home up to date by installing brand new appliances, commercial grade fixtures, and granite or quartz counters. Fixing or replacing cabinetry and hardware is another good idea to update the kitchen.
Giving the walls a new coat of paint also helps to freshen up the vibe. Best to stick to a neutral palette for a living space that appeals to a wider audience of buyers. One should also depersonalize the space by removing personal effects like travel magnets and other items that mark the kitchen as theirs.
Care should be taken when doing selective upgrades. Brand new granite counters side by side with worn and dated cabinets will have a jarring effect on the overall look of the room. Likewise, homeowners won’t achieve the full effect of a home renovation if there are stained and dated tiles right beside the latest kitchen appliances.
If sellers don’t have the time or energy to see to a kitchen renovation, then they should at least make it clear to potential buyers that the space is ready for easy renovation. This gives the latter more freedom to inject their personal style into the space.
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- Bathroom
Another room that holds a lot of importance for buyers is the bathroom. Ideally, there should be a bathroom for each bedroom. Then again, it’s not unusual for a three-bedroom home to have two-and-a-half bathrooms.
In any case, homeowners must make sure that the bathroom is in excellent condition before putting their home on sale. Fix or replace broken tiles and make sure that all of the bathroom fixtures are working. If a new bathtub is beyond one’s budget, consider re-glazing an existing tub to make it look brand new.
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- Cosmetic damage
Cosmetic damage refers to surface level damage like peeling paint, broken tiles or scuffed floors. Although these have no effect on the functionality or livability of the home, they can be an eyesore and make the home less appealing to buyers. This is especially true for discerning and experienced buyers who will scrutinize every type of damage when viewing the home.
Sellers should be keen on making their home presentable by treating and repainting the walls, replacing tiles, and polishing the floors. They only have a few minutes to make a positive first impression, so they must grab the opportunity.
There may be buyers astute enough to look past cosmetic damage and see the home’s functional and/or updated plumbing and electrical systems. However, this thought shouldn’t make sellers complacent. They should still keep in mind that they’re competing for buyer attention with other homes in the neighborhood.
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- Repainting
Sellers must be wary of painting their home in trendy colors. What looks good today may not look as good several months or a year down the line. And no matter how hip that color is, it might not be to everyone’s taste.
That’s why it’s better to keep it neutral. Not only does it appeal to a wider audience, but it’s also easier to paint over. Buyers may prefer to paint the home however they want anyway.
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- Unnecessary upgrades
When deciding on what renovations to make, real estate experts believe that it’s safer to stick with the neighborhood norm. For example, if most houses on the street have professional landscaping and updated kitchens, then it is worth investing in that kind of work.
Sellers can’t expect high returns for seemingly out-of-place upgrades like an outdoor shower or a built-in fish tank. They should know how they fare with other homes for sale in the neighborhood so they can plan renovations accordingly.
The Pagnotta Homes Team is ready to assist sellers in search of qualified buyers. Call 908.436.7947 or send an email to info(at)pagnottahomes(dotted)com for more information.
