Upgrades that Add the Most Value to Your Home
VALUE…that word and its true meaning has probably played in your mind at least once in the last few years. Life as we knew it changed, and our perspective of what is valuable got a nice adjustment. Simple things of life like water and toilet paper were now more valuable than gold. Our friends and family were now amazing regardless of previous poor experiences. And HOME became the only safe place that could be counted on. What caused such a drastic change of perspective in life? Value. How and what we see as most important to better life.
Value drives all our most important decisions in life so naturally when it comes to making a large purchase, like buying a home, we want to make sure we made the best investment at that time. On the contrary, if you are selling a home, you want to ensure that you’re getting the best price possible for what you are selling. So, how can both parties ensure the best appraisal for their transaction? What actually adds value to your home?
Heart of the Home
“As a real estate agent, I am on the front line of the battlefield. I get up and personal with my clients because I need to know what is most important for them in a new home. And most of them always lead with the kitchen space, bathroom(s) and how spacious a home feels.”
We all understand and can agree that a kitchen is the heart of the home. It is where a homeowner spends most of their time. It is where friends and family gather during holidays, it is where we have some of the most important conversations, it is the room that seems to draw everyone in. Considering this, most buyers are very interested in how the kitchen space and appliances appear.
Updating the kitchen increases the value of the home significantly and decreases the time a home may sit on the market. Some items to update that will make a drastic difference are cabinets and countertops. Modifying the kitchen cabinets will define the appearance and feel of the kitchen. We suggest purchasing new cabinets. However, if you are on a tight budget, you can go the route of a quality DIY project by painting the current cabinets, changing the handles, and adding additional storage space. (P.S. Same with bathroom vanities and bathroom spaces!) You can always seek out an estimate from kitchen specialists, sometimes you can get great new kitchen cabinetry for a fantastic price.
Another way to freshen up the look of the kitchen on a budget is to add a lovely backsplash to the walls with counters. Installing new, updated countertops can also give a kitchen a facelift.
One final kitchen update that can make or break a deal is an island! Islands are multifunctional, they can either host a sink, add space for dining, or serve as additional storage space.
FUN FACT: The original kitchen island before the 1930s was “a big, sturdy table in the center of the room that let the servants spread out and get dinner whipped together in a timely manner. It was there for function, not for an appetizer spread.” Source
Because a kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house, we suggest you don’t hesitate on splurging on it a bit.
Appliances
Besides updating the cabinets, counters, and walls in the kitchen & bathroom(s), investing in new appliances is always helpful. Even if it’s just one new kitchen appliance or a new washer and dryer, those units create value in the buyer’s mind. It gets buyers excited that they will have something new to use in their new home. Having new appliances creates a feeling that there will be no need for major investments for some time. This creates a sense of comfort and confidence for the buyer. In addition, new appliances create a sense of “newness” to the atmosphere which can help weigh the pros and cons for some buyers.
If you’re on more of a flexible budget and can splurge a bit, we recommend adding a washer and dryer. Sometimes you can come across a sweet deal for a washer and dryer combo which can add immediate value to your home. Though this appliance isn’t a deal breaker, it is a deal influencer.
One major tip when updating your home with appliances: invest in energy-efficient appliances. There are many reasons WHY, but one major one that stands out is that Energy-Efficient = Cost Effective. Whether it is to boost your sale or enjoy the lower cost energy bills, investing in energy-efficient appliances is a win-win situation.
Home Aesthetics
A clean, fresh atmosphere is inviting and exciting! Doing a deep clean of the house and decluttering the home can create a more spacious appearance to the home and invite in some natural sunlight.
Cleaning out as much clutter as possible to expose the walls and floors of the home should be step one. If there are rooms or spaces in the house that could be turned into an additional feature, for example an extra closet, laundry room, office space, storage, etc., then proceed to create that space. If you’re unable to hire a contractor or do it yourself, then try setting up the space by staging some furniture or appliances to help the future owner envision the potential of the additional space.
Ol’ha Ry, a Bucks County deep clean specialist who professionally cleans many real estate listings, has noticed that “Doing a proper deep clean of a property can increase your selling chances by 90%.” A professionally cleaned listing feels more inviting and peaceful to prospective buyers. It also shows the buyer that a home is/was more taken care of compared to another home on the market that has dust and grime everywhere. It is not easy to do a deep clean, especially for the purpose of staging your home, which is why we suggest hiring an expert to conduct a deep cleaning.
If you have some unfinished areas in the house, such as a basement, try to finish it. If you are unable to invest into finishing the space, then clean it out as best as possible, try completing minor aesthetic pieces and paint the walls white for a nice base color for the next owner. Staging this space can also help hide some possible flaws that are unpleasant to look at.
TIP: Even something as little as adding new, updated door handles can refresh a space and give the illusion of “newness” before entering the room.
Updating flooring should be a no-brainer. If you have old carpet, please try to strip it off and install hardwood or hardwood-style flooring. Vinyl plank flooring and faux-wood tiles are great budget-friendly options. They are not too expensive and can be easy to DIY.
Paint rooms with lighter color walls. When selling a home, a new fresh coat of paint is just as important as putting on your shoes to go outside when it’s raining. Keep it clean with light and neutral colors. Feel free to add an accent wall or two, but don’t take away the beauty of natural lighting that can come from the windows, instead compliment it with a neutral color.
Clean your windows. If you installed new windows, make them shine – literally and metaphorically. Even if they are new, clean them on the inside and the outside to keep them looking new. If there is paint or caulk chipping away, swing by any store that sells caulk or small cans of paint and apply it to the area to refresh its look. If you have older windows, also make them shine to create the appearance of newer windows.
TIP: Remove all curtains, blinds, window décor if it is dirty, dusty, gloomy, or traps away light. Allow natural lighting to enter the room.
Lighting and fixtures can also add a beautiful look to the space. If your space is a new model style house, Ikea is fantastic choice for the pocket and for this style to come to life. Ikea has many model lighting fixtures that are easy to install and can give a beautiful new appearance to the space. If you are working with an older style home, you can always update the lighting by purchasing paint for metal and painting a chandelier. Wayfair is a great option if you’re looking to purchase new pieces that will match that style.
See some pictures:
Curb Appeal
Not only is the inside of the house important, but the outside is as well. Having an inviting curb appeal to your home sets an expectation for what is to come on the inside. If you do your due diligence on the inside, then don’t forget about the outside. Cutting the grass, trimming flowers, sweeping the walkway, adding some greenery to the outside of the property can liven up the place. Home and Gardens suggests “adding stone veneer” for a high cost recoup. If the home you are selling doesn’t fit this style or you are working with a new space, here are some other ways to improve curb appeal:
Clean out your yard – remove garbage, weeds, dying trees and plants, old furniture.
Freshen up your grass, if possible.
Planting some emerald green arborvitae is a bullet proof plan – they live in all seasons, keep their beautiful color, and create a more secluded space.
Stage furniture (if necessary…just remember to note that pieces are not included with the home purchase).
Small pebble rock is a beautiful addition to aesthetics of a yard, if you have the space for it.
If the property lacks storage, adding a shed (if the township allows) can add to the value, comfort, and aesthetics.
Having a privacy fence around the property can add value to a home. If it’s new, great. If not, WASH IT! Having a fence around the property can help lower the property’s time on the market. A fence around the property is a very in-demand feature for families with young children, dog owners, and anyone who likes to sunbathe in the privacy and comfort of their own yard.
Looks go a long way when selling a property. Following trends, emphasizing on the natural beauty of the home, and highlighting the benefits of the property will sell the house.
If you are preparing your property for sale, we recommend getting an appraisal. See what your property is worth today. Create a budget that you can afford to invest into the improvements of the property. Once you have a set budget, begin to shop around, give yourself some time to find some deals. Here is a little bulleted to do list that can help guide the process:
Shop around for best prices on material, appliances, and possible furniture.
Consult specialists and experts and request estimates.
Plan out what you will do vs. who you will hire to do the job.
Declutter – sell stuff, give things away, throw things out.
Clean and clear things out.
Once you’ve set up the house, you can begin the modifications. We suggest you give yourself a timeline to stay on track as well.
Upon the completion of the property upgrades, it is always recommended to obtain an appraisal for your records.
If you ever need further advice or consultation, message us with no hesitations or schedule a free consultation with us.