Remodeling Your Home Prior to Listing It On the Market
If you’re considering putting your home up for sale, you’ll want to do everything you can to get the best price possible. This means that you’ll need to make some updates to make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Many homes that are readied properly for the real estate market sell in about 56 days. Here are home improvement projects you can do to remodel your home prior to listing it on the market.
Repair Roof Damage
One of the most important home improvement projects is having your roof professionally inspected and repairing any damage. Buyers may not be able to obtain the financing they need if appraisers are aware that roof damage repair needs to be done. If you can’t afford to make the repairs, get estimates, and offer the cost as a credit on closing costs. You may also be able to offer a home warranty. You may be able to recover 107% of the cost of a new roof installation when you sell your home.
The most common roof problem is water damage from clogged gutters. This can create damaged shingles and wood rot. If you don’t fix the damage as soon as possible, you’ll end up needing to have the roof replaced. Depending on the roof you have, you could spend anywhere from $4,000 to $17,000 for a brand new roof. In comparison, having a qualified roofer repair damaged shingles and weather stripping will cost you about $600 on average.
Fix Faulty Wiring
Another one of the major home improvement projects to focus on is fixing faulty wiring around your home. These fixes can range from quick, simple fixes to major rewiring. It’s important to take care of electrical problems because they lead to over 51,000 fires every year. The cost to rewire a 1,200 square foot home can cost over $10,000 on average. However, it’s highly unlikely you’ll need to do it because homes built as far back as the 1960s are grandfathered into the current code.
You can consider hiring electrical contractors to take care of smaller scale items such as frayed wires, faulty switches or outlets, and damaged junction boxes. One of the costly repairs you may come across with your home improvement projects is your circuit breaker not meeting your home’s amperage needs. This could cost you anywhere from $500 to $2,000 or more to replace.
Clean And Declutter
Cleaning and decluttering is one of the best home improvement projects you can do before listing your home for sale. Approximately 93% of realtors ask sellers to complete this task before listing. You’ll want to remove any personal items, like family photos and collectibles.
Get rid of any items you no longer need and remove valuables before you start showing your home. Take care to clear out your closets and drawers as potential buyers will likely poke around in them to see how much of their stuff they’ll be able to fit in the home. You may want to rent storage space instead of stuffing your garage or basement.
Deep clean your home thoroughly from top to bottom. If you have pets, you may be immune to the odor they leave behind. However, potential buyers will notice them. Consider hiring a professional to help you eliminate pet odors and stains. Resist the urge to use air fresheners or candles as these smells may be unpleasant for some buyers.
Create Curb Appeal
One of the major home improvement projects that can boost your home’s resale value is freshening up the curb appeal around your home. You want to be able to give potential buyers a good first impression when they arrive to look at your home. Take a good look at your home from a distance and see if you notice things that stand out as needing repair.
Power wash asphalt driveways and accent walkways with fresh flowers or decorative lighting. Clean up any debris in the yard and mow the grass. Check your siding for any repairs that might need to be made. Clean outdoor furniture and sweep porches and decks. You may even consider giving your home’s exterior and doors a fresh coat of paint.
If you have an existing deck, you may want to give it a new coat of stain. If you don’t have a deck, you may want to consider building one. You can also give your front porch new railing. Some simple updates you can make is installing a new mailbox and updating your address display. Make your yard inviting for buyers who love entertaining by planting a garden and building a fire pit.
Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning clogged gutters and downspouts is one of the home improvement projects that should be on the top of your list before listing it for sale. If your gutters aren’t cleaned properly, it can create water stains in your basement and foundation structural issues. Make sure your downspouts are flowing water away from your home. Foundation cracks alone can cost you up to $1,500 to repair on average.
Repair Faulty Plumbing
Plumbing repairs are another one of the home improvement projects you’ll want to focus on before listing your home. Leaky faucets and pipes can create mold and rot that can be costly to repair. The cost to fix water damage will depend on how long the damage has gone unnoticed and the size of the damaged area. Some minor repairs you may be able to fix yourself by watching online video tutorials. For major repairs, you want to consult with an experienced and licensed plumber.
Take Care Of HVAC Issues
You’ll probably have a hard time selling your home in the winter if your heater isn’t working properly. The same thing goes for the summertime if your air conditioning is on the fritz. Make sure you take care of any issues with your heating, cooling, and ventilation system before thinking about listing your home.
Installing a new system can cost you up to $11,000 on average, so taking care of minor issues quickly can help you avoid that expense. When tackling your home improvement projects, take some time to inspect the ventilation in your home, especially in the kitchen, bathroom, and attic. Get your vents professionally cleaned to clear them of any blockages.
Ensure Your Garage Door Is Working Properly
Another one of the major home improvement projects to tackle before listing your home is ensuring that your garage door is working properly. Your garage door opener should be fully functioning as well. Check your garage door screen for tears along with any dings or dents in the door. You’ll also want to make sure the coil spring isn’t broken. If you find any things that need repair, you should consult with an experienced garage door service who can get the job done right at an affordable price.
The typical cost for garage door replacement is $3,600 on average. You may be able to lower your expenses by checking out garage door sales for deals. You can expect to generally get back around 97% of your investment after replacing your garage door when you sell your house.
Give Your Kitchen A Makeover
Kitchen renovations are one of the most popular home improvement projects homeowners tackle when trying to sell their home. A complete renovation may not be necessary unless your real estate agent specifically suggests it. However, there are minor repairs you can do to make your kitchen more inviting to potential buyers. These things include fresh paint, upgraded lighting, and countertop replacement.
One of the first home improvement projects for your kitchen is painting your cabinets and installing new handles and drawer pulls. Upgrade your appliances to stainless steel ones and swap out your kitchen sink. Give the walls a fresh coat of paint and replace worn flooring tiles. Consider upgrading lighting on the ceiling and underneath cabinets. By making these minor changes, you can recover about 80% of your costs when the home sells.
Spruce Up Your Bathroom
Another area on your list of home improvement projects should be your bathroom. Just a few inexpensive touches can give your home a boost in resale value. You should consider replacing the showerhead and faucet fixtures. A marble or granite countertop can be an inexpensive way to upgrade your vanity. The cost for one of these countertops is generally around $150 or less.
There are a few other small touches you can make to spruce up your bathroom. You can replace your shower curtain and lay out a new set of fresh towels. You may also want to update your bathroom rug and replace your mirror. One of the most overlooked changes you could make is applying new caulk. Worn and discolored caulk can easily be a major turn off. Fresh white caulk can make your bathroom look sparkling clean to potential new buyers.
Invest In Energy Efficient Upgrades
Homes that have energy-efficient features are highly attractive to buyers. According to the National Association of Homebuyers, the average price a buyer is willing to pay upfront to save $1,000 a year in energy costs was $10,732 in 2015. One of the upgrades you can consider for your home improvement projects is replacing older toilets with low-flow fixtures. You may also want to invest in energy-efficient appliances that have the Energy Star label.
The most frequently sought after upgrade buyers seek are energy efficient windows. These windows can be made from either Low-E or triple-pane insulating glass. If you upgrade double-hung windows to insulated vinyl windows, you’ll be able to recoup about 74% of the costs. The type of energy-efficient windows you can choose will depend on the government’s minimum energy-efficient standards for your climate zone.
Finish Your Basement
Many buyers are looking for homes that provide more space than their existing ones. By adding more livable square footage to your home, you can significantly boost its value. One of the home improvement projects you can do to increase living space is to finish your basement. You can make this space highly attractive to new buyers by turning into a workout area, family game room, or bar.
Before you finish your basement, there are a couple of things you’ll need to consider. The valuation placed for living space below ground is separate from the living space that’s available above ground. The reason is that it’s cheaper to finish a basement than making any improvements for rooms such as your kitchen or bathroom. The type of finished basement you choose to create will impact how much the buyer is willing to pay as well. Buyers may not be interested in personalized spaces and may prefer a finished basement where they can turn it into however they choose.
Replace Your Flooring
Chances are your carpets have seen better days. Rather than getting them cleaned, you may want to consider ripping them up and replacing them with hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are easier to clean, making them more convenient for potential buyers who have children or pets. While this can be one of the more expensive home improvement projects you can make, it’s also the one with the highest return on investment. You can see a 90% or more return on investment by installing non-carpet flooring.
It may be highly likely that you already have hardwood flooring already underneath your carpet. This will save you money because all you’ll have to do is refinish them. You may even be able to find discounts on hardwood flooring at local home improvement stores and learn how to install them yourself. You can learn how to install flooring by watching online video tutorials or taking classes at local home improvement stores.
These home improvement projects can significantly boost the resale of your home and help it sell faster. Make sure you hire a home inspector first who can spot the items that are most in need of repair. Focus on the ones that fit within your budget. You’ll be able to attract buyers quickly so you can be free to move on to your dream home in no time flat!
