Five Simple Pre-Sale Home Improvements to Maximize Your Home Value
By John Giannone | March 1, 2022 | As published on Linkedin here.
Written by John Giannone
Often overlooked, the steps you take to prepare your home for sale are crucial in making a potential buyer comfortable and drawn to your space by allowing them to envision themselves living there; a good first impression will maximize your home value.
These five simple pre-sale home improvements can offer you the most return on investment, and with Feeasy®, you have access to collateral-free financing.
1. Improve Curb Appeal
Set a welcoming tone when a buyer first arrives at your home and sees manicured landscaping and a new roof. Your lawn should be mowed, any patches sodded or re-planted, lasting perennials and bushes added or trimmed, and make sure you add fresh mulch.
New siding and garage doors are also great investments for improving your home’s curb appeal.
2. Paint
The purpose of repainting is two-fold: Freshly painted walls not only make your home seem newer and cleaner, but also, neutral colors like whites and soft grays help a buyer envision living in the space. Make sure you do away with any strong, personalized colors like reds, yellows, greens and blues. If you are on a tight budget, consider painting your entryway and entertaining rooms above all else.
3. Declutter and Depersonalize
This is pretty simple. The more stuff buyers see in your home, the more focused they will be on your belongings rather than the space itself. When selling your home, erring on the side of minimalism creates a sense of calm that increases buyer comfort.
Excess furniture, family photos, and tchotchkes should be hidden in your living spaces. In the kitchen, clear off countertops, and take the time to organize your cabinets and pantry. In the bedrooms, swapping out your comforters for simple, neutral colors makes the rooms attractive and hotel-like. Lastly, removing any excess or seasonal clothing in your closets is a great way to declutter and allow a buyer to see the closet space rather than fixate on how packed it is.
Renting a small, reasonable storage unit is the best way to make space for your unused belongings. Decluttering specialists are also available at fair rates to do this for you in just a few days.
4. Touch-Up the Kitchen and Bathrooms
It’s no secret that the kitchen and bathrooms leave the longest-lasting impression on buyers.
If you cannot take on a full kitchen remodel, easy fixes like repainting cabinets in neutral colors, updating the countertops and backsplash, and replacing appliances are easy fixes to make your kitchen stand out.
Re-tiling and adding glass shower doors and new vanities in your bathrooms can make a dramatic difference. However, simply regrouting your tiles, replacing old shower curtains and liners with fresh, neutral ones, and upgrading light fixtures are easy changes that can greatly improve a bathroom’s look and feel.
5. Flooring and Window Treatments
Old, discolored carpets will quickly deter buyers from your home. Often, there is well-preserved wood flooring under your carpets. If this is the case, expose the wood to add great value to your home. If not, replacing your carpets is an easy fix to freshen up your home.
Heavy, dark drapes can easily make your home seem dated. Removing or replacing them with lightweight, neutral ones will make your rooms seem larger and more inviting. Additionally, replacing your blinds or shades that are old and damaged will make your home look well-kept and maintained.
About Feeasy®
Feeasy® is a free, national loan comparison platform bringing over 50 lenders to one place where borrowers can browse and select pre-qualified offers for collateral-free financing up to $100,000 for up to 12 years.
We partner with real estate brokerages and their agents, enabling their clients to receive financing for their pre and post-sale home improvements. Through our program, Concierge Premier™, clients have access to dedicated Feeasy® representatives to personally guide them through the financing process, enrich their experience, and facilitate matches with lenders within the Feeasy® marketplace. Contact us to learn more about our services.