Spring Home Improvement Project Tips

                    

 

                            

Now that it's summer, have you been thinking about undertaking a home improvement project? If your're concerned with making upgrades that will pay off when it's time to sell, consider these useful tips.

Cover the Basics First:

One thing potential buyers don't want to face is expensive repairs.  If your home's basic structures and sytems aren't in good condition, the property will be considered a fixer-upper and its market price will be discounted accordingly.

Systems:

The roof, furnace, air conditioning, pluming, water heater, elecrical system and windows are all basic elements of your home that must be in good working order for your home to be attractive to buyers.  If any of these components are broken or malfunctioning, make sure to fix them.  If any of them are nearing the ends of their useful lives and you can afford to replace them, do so before the home goes on the market.

Exterior:

After that, you can address the next level of basics.  Make sure your property has curb appeal by: Power waashing the home's driveway, sidewalks, cleaning the windows, mowing the lawn, pullying weeds and pruning hedges. You can also add decorative plants to make the property look vibrant and inviting.

Entry:

Now that your've drawn prospective purchasers out of their cars, make sure your home's entryway is appealing both inside and outside. If your front door is ugly or damaged, replace it.  At a minimum, you should clean or paint your existing door.  Also tend to all the details surrounding the door. Sweep the porch and get rid of cobwebs and replace or clean the entry mat.  There should be absolutely no clutter when a potential buyer steps into the home, and the entryway should be defined as a distinct space.

Clutter and Cleanliness:

Speaking of clutter, one of the best "improvements" you can make to improve the resale value of your home is to put away your stuff. Buyers should get the impression that your home is spacious and will easily hold all their furniture and other belongings.  You also don't want your junk to distract from your home's unique features and selling points, nor do you want to have personal items around that make it more difficult for buyers to picture their new lives in your old space.

Little Upgrades With A Big Impact:

Some minor replacements will produce big results for minimal cost.  You know that know matter how clean your 30-year-old bathroom faucet is, it's still not going to be attractive. Replacing the coordinating hardware and fixtures won't cost much, but it will make a big difference.  If your furniture is ugly, old or worn out, consider buying inexpensive new furniture or renting furniture to make your home more appealing.

Impress:

Remember when you first bought your house and you wanted to impress all your friends and family when they came to see if for the first time?  That's the look you should be going for when improving your home and preparing it for showings.  If you can't afford glamourous improvements like a remodeled bathroom or kitchen.  These projects are expensive and difficult, and there's not guarantee that they will pay off-especially in a down market.  New buyers will be more inclined to spend money to renovate the inside of your home and personalize it to their tastes than to buy a new roof.

Conclusion:

When you don't know when or even if you will be able to sell your home, choosing your home improvement projects carefully becomes extra important.  Unless you live in an upscale neighborhood and your home is already immaculate, skip the fancy projects and focus on the fundamentals.

 

Source: SF Gate

For more tips or information contact: Sunset Park Realtors