7 Home Improvement Updates Before Selling Your Home

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Here are seven home improvement updates you need to do before selling your home.

Your real estate agent may advise you to make home improvement updates if you plan to sell your house. The idea of remodeling and preparing your house for sale can be overwhelming. When your property is on the market, the repairs you overlook might be significant issues to potential buyers.

Focus on upgrades purchasers want while providing a fair return on investment. Put some money into a few repairs to help your home sell faster. Making home upgrades can result in considerable financial gain. Nearly a quarter of sellers who do home improvement updates sell their property for more than the asking price.

What home improvement updates can you do to increase the value of your home?

1.) Painting

According to Skylar Olsen, Director of Economic Research at Zillow, Painting is the most cost-effective upgrade with the highest rate of return. It is not surprising that 36% of home sellers choose this option. Buyers prefer seeing a clean, blank slate.

A nice coat of neutral paint can give the entire house a makeover. Depending on the market, professional interior painting for a 2,500-square-foot home might range from $3,500 to $7,000. It can be more if the space has vaulted ceilings or extensive detail work.

2.) Install or Refinish Wood Floors

Homeowners who have children or pets or don’t have time for maintenance are particularly fond of hardwood floors since they are long-lasting and easy to maintain. Replace your outdated carpeting with wood flooring to recover a substantial amount when you sell it.

If you have wood flooring, consider refinishing them. You might return 100% of your investment as potential buyers will appreciate the freshly refinished surfaces. But if you don’t want to replace the carpet, ensure you’re giving them the complete treatment to make them look brand new.

3.) Landscape the front yard

The exterior of your home is what potential buyers first see when they arrive. An unkempt yard is a big turnoff, so dead or overgrown plants should be removed. Re-sod or plant grass seed to keep the lawn looking fresh and green.

Professional landscaping can range from $500 to $3,000. The price may be slightly higher if you include tree removal. You can also opt for DIY landscaping. There is no need to buy grass seeds — just follow the planting instructions and keep them watered and mowed.

4.) Upgrade the HVAC System

A typical home inspection does not include a thorough evaluation of the HVAC system. However, it is an essential component of any home and is costly to fix or replace. Potential buyers may inquire about the maintenance history of the system.

Replace them to prevent potential buyers from not considering your house. The project may involve installing new appliances or updating a few parts. While a new HVAC system costs $8,200 on average, you might recuperate roughly 85% of the cost when you sell your home.

5.) Upgrade the lighting fixtures

Replacing lighting in a home is a simple update that can make a notable change in aesthetics. Keep colors consistent with the equipment when considering your options for chandeliers, pendant lighting, and ceiling fixtures.

Metals like copper and oiled bronze or brushed nickel and chrome can be mixed, but not gold and silver tones. Older brass fixtures appear outdated as they are used in houses built in the 1980s and 1990s. If you’re going to add something new, ensure it provides an update.

6.) Repair the electrical system

To pass the house inspection, the electrical system must be declared safe and operational. Given how reliant modern homeowners are on technology and the popularity of innovative home features, prospective buyers might look for issues with your home’s electrical system.

Minor issues, such as flickering lights and broken doorbells, can be generally fixed on your own. However, if your home is experiencing electrical surges, tripped circuit breakers, or other inexplicable problems, you should contact an electrician.

7.) Replace the garage door

Real estate brokers have advised sellers to replace their garage door, which costs an average of $2,100, before selling their home. Aside from its importance for household security and weather protection, the garage door is an essential feature in curb appeal.

If you install a new garage door, specifically if smart lights border it, you might recoup up to 95% of the cost. Installing a new garage door is the most cost-effective way to increase your home’s value if you want to sell it.

These are just a few home improvement updates you should do before selling your home. If you plan to paint your home, you can choose The Picky Painters as your painting contractor. We are located in Cleveland, Ohio. We provide Exterior Painting, Interior Painting, and kitchen cabinet refinishing.