Thinking of selling your home but you aren’t sure what things you should do to add value? Here at NWALook, we will share the most cost-effective ways to increase your home’s value that do not require a large budget. Let’s take a look at the NWALook’s Top 7…
1.) Paint, Paint, Paint
Never underestimate the power of a coat of paint – it can make your home look cleaner, brighter, and more modern. Choose neutral colors that will appeal to a wide range of buyers and strive for continuity throughout! Rooms that are painted different colors throughout make for a sense of choppiness – you want your home to flow.
Here at NWALook, our experience is that painting an 1800 square foot home is between $5000-6000. Contact NWALook to set you up with a few local painters.
2.) Upgrade That Lighting
Ever been in a room where you can’t quite put your finger on why the mood isn’t what you really want? Upgrading your lighting fixtures can transform the look and feel of your home. Replacing outdated fixtures with modern ones can add value to your home, improve its functionality, and heighten the energy in any space. Don’t count out the importance of light bulbs! Ensuring all bulbs are color matched enhances the feel of a room, sets the mood for viewing, and even sends a subtle message about the “love” and maintenance the home has been given over time. Consider brighter lights when you have dark walls and soft white light when you have light-colored walls.
3.) Give That Landscaping Some Love
Do you know how many great homes you just drive by and never notice? You don’t want people to just roll on by yours without a backward glance – you want the curb appeal to draw them in! Adding landscaping to your front yard can improve your home’s appearance and value. You don’t need to hire a professional landscaper – simple changes like fresh mulch, planting flowers, trimming trees, trimming/removing overgrown bushes, and adding a pathway can make a big difference. If you don’t have one, purchase an inexpensive power washer to get those grimy walkways looking new. Power washing is so weirdly satisfying – you can thank us later.
4.) Update Those Kitchens and Baths
Kitchens and baths are vital in terms of value and buyer perception. Buyers are unsure about the costs involved in updating and they dream up dollar signs about remodels. A complete remodel to improve these spaces is not necessary. Simple updates like painting cabinets or adding new light fixtures can greatly impact your value and ease a buyer’s mind. Take a good look at your backsplash – is it dated? Does it look a little worn? Consider updating that backsplash for a fun and fairly inexpensive way to show off your kitchen’s potential. This project below costs about $500 for the homeowner to complete.
In the following amazing transformation, the sellers removed a small bank of cabinets and added a more functional and attractive vent hood. They painted cabinets for a more contemporary look (don’t be scared – Sherwin Williams offers a fabulous durable paint with primer already mixed in – it goes on like a dream). Cabinets do not have to be removed – the doors can simply be refaced with paint or new cabinet doors can be installed. Don’t forget the hardware! Hardware is the “jewelry” of cabinetry – it makes it look clean and updated. These sellers installed a new dishwasher, cooktop, plumbing fixtures, and flooring. The higher-end-looking backsplash takes this kitchen to an entirely new level. There are many great products available now which replicate the look of marble, stone, or other natural materials at a fraction of the cost and are easier to maintain. This complete transformation came to about $8000 in total.
5.) Declutter, Organize, and Depersonalize
Clutter can make your home feel smaller and less functional. Take some time to declutter and organize your home. This can include donating items you no longer need, organizing your closets, and tidying up your living spaces. A clean, organized home is more appealing to buyers and can increase your home’s value. Depersonalize by removing any personal photos and family names. Utilize the 80/20 rule “ 80/20 rule suggests that 80% of the clutter in space comes from 20% of the items. By identifying and removing that 20%, a person can quickly make significant progress in decluttering and organizing a space.”
Interestingly enough, decluttering can present so much anxiety for homeowners. It is so easy for what we see on a daily basis to become a part of our background landscape and we can’t imagine the space without it. What others consider clutter is a part of our norm. If you are struggling, feel overwhelmed or just can’t imagine what could be removed, ask an honest friend whose home look or style you admire (and promise not to hold it against them) or hire a home organizer.
Here is a local company: https://www.theorganizerchicks.com
6.) Put More Than a Hand on Your Hardware
Go through your home and take a look at your door knobs – REALLY look at them. Are they dated, old or dirty? If so, consider replacing your door knobs with more modern handles. If your kitchen hardware shows the age of your home then it’s also time for an update. Here at NWALook, we love things that age gracefully as they mature, but hardware doesn’t always meet this test!
7.) Plumbing Fixtures
Have you ever walked into a kitchen or bathroom and wondered how they wash their hands with a slow-running faucet due to the calcium build-up around it? It’s definitely time for an upgrade! Buyers always look at the kitchen sink and bathroom faucets and even turn them on sometimes. It is another place that buyers dream up dollar signs that don’t always exist. Check out a few options below that we at NWALook believe could bring your home additional value.
Here at NWALook, we think by investing a little time and money into your home, you can increase its value and appeal to potential buyers. Remember that buyers don’t know the cost of things and they become overwhelmed – NWALook can help you avoid those barriers, alleviate buyer fears and add value to your home. Contact NWALook for local contractor recommendations!
Check out these before and after photos!
Here are some links to get you started on your cost-effective updates!
Here’s a set of 6 Door Handles
