After debating it for some time, you’ve decided to put your house on the market, and of course, you want to get the best possible price for it. But you’re hesitant: leave things as-is or do some renovations.
Here is a list, in descending order, of the things that have the most impact on how potential buyers view your home . . . without your having to do any major repairs.
1- Formulate a plan of action — inspect your home and see what condition it’s in. Make a list of minor repairs that could have a significant impact.
2- Establish a renovation budget according on your resell value. A local real estate agent could help you with this task.
3- Do a MAJOR spring cleaning: tidy your rooms and wash your windows, gutters, exterior cladding, baseboards, ceiling fixtures, carpets, etc.
4- Backyard/front yard: mow your lawn (or remove any snow if it’s winter time), trim your hedges, paint or stain anything that needs a makeover, place your garbage/recycling/compost bins in your backyard, reseal your driveway, etc.
5- Throughout your home: refresh silicon seals (baseboards, bath, sinks, counters), repaint baseboards and doorframes, change switches and socket outlets, update ceiling fixtures, patch and repaint holes, etc. Remove any out-dated wallpaper and repaint darker walls; the goal is to make your rooms appear larger and more luminous.
6- Entrance hall: create storage space so that future buyers are able to imagine themselves living there, especially if they have a big family. Install shelves, racks, hooks at kid-height, and coin trays. Consider installing a bench, repainting or completely changing your ceramic. You can remove a door to make the space appear larger. If your foyer is too small to install a decent-size carpet, just have the carpet continue into the adjacent room.
7- Kitchen: repaint faded or yellowed cabinets, add a backsplash, change cabinet handles—just a few upgrades will make your kitchen look brand new! Sort through all your things; over-stuffed cabinets and drawers can make your kitchen appear smaller than it really is. Bonus: change your out-dated laminate countertops.
8- Master bedroom: the goal here is to create a warm, welcoming, and flowing space. Consider moving your bed under the window and creating a focal point by adding a headboard (you can make one with mouldings and some stylish fabric). Lighting can change the room’s entire look, so consider removing the ceiling fixture and installing lights around your headboard instead. And lastly, use under-bed storage bins to de-clutter and organize the space.
With these small changes, your house will be market-ready and in top shape to welcome potential buyers!
