How to increase your home’s value before selling

If you are preparing to sell your home, you likely have a long list of tasks in front of you. After all, putting your house on the market is a big process! One of the items you should complete is identifying what you can do to increase your home’s value before selling. Maximizing your property’s value will help you secure the best sale once buyers start viewing your home. Here are some of our suggestions for this project!

Emphasize curb appeal

Curb appeal is all about how your home looks from the outside. When someone faces your house from the street, what they see is their first impression of the property. If you are trying to sell, you want to draw buyers in. This means it’s important to emphasize your curb appeal! You can make improvements to your lawn and garden, driveway, garage or front door, roofing, or any other exterior fixes that may be necessary. If people like what they see from the outside, they are much more likely to visit the inside. Plus, a fresh-looking house will increase your home’s value on its own. Home buyers want to move into a house that has been well cared for, so a nice-looking exterior is a big selling point.

Invest in green energy

The rise of smart technology and green energy has become very popular among home owners. You already know that products like Alexa and Google Home are big hits for many people because of their ease of use and capabilities. Now, imagine using those features for your home’s energy needs. For example, smart thermostats can adjust your home’s temperature according to your preferences, and keep your home warm or cool more efficiently. Energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances can help you run your house in a way that is friendlier to the environment and to your wallet. In general, smart technology and green energy are nice features to advertise when selling your home, because it shows the property is modern and in good condition.

Do some minor touch ups

Sometimes, all you need to do to increase your home’s value is perform some quick fixes. A fresh layer of paint on the walls is one of the best ways to brighten up your home and make it look new again. This helps cover up any dents or scuffs that might have developed over time. Similarly, if you have any carpeting in your home, you can have it deep cleaned so it’s soft and spotless once again. We also recommend performing any behind the scenes repairs that may draw the attention of buyers, such as a leaky sink or flickering light bulb. These are easy improvements, but they can have a large impact on a home buyer. Even small touch ups can make a big difference to your home’s value!

Fix the kitchen and bathrooms

As the areas with the most traffic, your kitchen and bathrooms are the most important rooms to focus on before selling. You don’t have to completely remodel these areas to increase your home’s value, either. Minor renovations and improvements go a long way! In your kitchen, for instance, you might consider replacing the countertops or updating the appliances. In the bathroom, a fresh shower and tub or new cabinets can give the area a new breath of life. These types of smaller renovations will up your home’s value without drying up your bank account in the process.

Consider staging your home

Staging a home is something some sellers consider essential, while others choose to skip it. It depends on your preferences and the current state of your home. The point of staging is to tidy up and depersonalize the house so potential buyers can picture themselves living in it. If you have lots of clutter and family photos hanging, for example, having a professional stage your home could be a good investment. These services can also include bringing in rented furniture to make the spaces look more modern, if necessary. Your real estate agent can tell you if staging your home is a worthwhile investment for you. While it can be a bit pricey upfront, when done properly, staging can definitely help increase your home’s value. 

Raising your home’s value ensures you get the highest sale once your house goes onto the market. As minor as some of these improvements may be, they can have a big impact on how buyers perceive your property and how much they are willing to pay for it. If you are planning to purchase a new home when you sell your current one, you should reach out to a mortgage broker to start the buying process. We can discuss your buying goals and your financial situation to find the best product for you.

If you have any questions about your mortgage, give us a call at Centum Home Lenders! You can reach us at 506-854-6847, or get in touch with us here.