GUEST BLOG POST By: Suzie Wilson of Happier Home
There are no guarantees in the housing market. Sometimes, an overpriced, dilapidated house sells before it even hits the market, while your neighbor’s perfect home sits for months at a bargain price. However, there are projects you can do yourself that will increase your chances of selling your house quickly. Here are some DIY home upgrades that will do just that.
Calculating How Much You Can Make
Before you start on your upgrades, it’s important to figure out how much you can make from selling your home. A lot of factors go into calculating this, such as:
- How much you still owe on the home
- Realtor fees
- Second mortgage and/or home equity loan
- Interest on outstanding mortgage
- Taxes (property, deed transfer, etc.)
- Incidental closing costs
You get the point: It’s a lot. The easiest way to get started is by doing an online estimate -- just know that those numbers are a rough idea and not to be used in any final decision-making. Unless your home is extra unique, hiring a professional appraiser probably isn’t necessary. Most of the time, your listing agent should be able to prepare a comparative market analysis.
Updating the Kitchen
Most realtors believe the kitchen to be the most important room for prospective buyers. That said, it makes sense to give it some attention. Start by decluttering and deep cleaning to get a feel for what else the kitchen needs. It may be worth spending a little to bring in a professional cleaning crew to make sure your entire kitchen (and home) is spotless.
Know that some buyers will be happy to see a blank slate to which they can add their personal touch, so simplify anywhere you can. Cleaning and resurfacing the cabinets can add a ton of appeal, and even if you DIY the job, it can usually be done in just a couple of days. Also consider changing out the knobs and handles on your appliances with more modern ones. If you do have a budget for some renovations, the kitchen is a good place to invest (e.g., installing new countertops, a backsplash, and flooring). Some of these projects may not be DIY. For instance, if you want to install quartz countertops, you’ll likely need to hire a professional for the job, and the project and materials can add up. The average cost of installation is $125 per foot, as this work requires fabricating, joining seams, leveling, and possibly adding supports.
Updating the Bathroom
Another important room is the master bathroom. As with the kitchen, start by decluttering and deep cleaning, including getting rid of cleaning products. Maximize your storage by organizing your drawers and making sure they’re only two-thirds full. Consider making cost-effective upgrades, such as updating your faucet, towel bars (which can be purchased for under $20), mirrors, cabinet or shower hardware, and/or light fixtures -- replace pretty much anything that makes the bathroom look like it belongs in a sketchy motel in a horror film. Top it off by hanging a couple of big, luxurious towels (luxury bath towels are available for under $40) on the towel bar, along with laying some matching, neatly-folded hand towels by the sink.
Caulking
Caulking around your windows, sinks, countertops, and other areas where there are cracks is a really cheap way to make your home look more attractive. Plus, it makes your home more energy efficient, so you can mention that to buyers when you show your home. Just make sure you get the right kind of caulk, especially if you plan on painting over it.
Painting
Painting the interior of your home could give you the most bang for your buck when it comes to adding appeal at a good cost. Just painting a few walls can transform the whole vibe. Since you’re selling, it’s safest to go with light, neutral colors, like white, cream, taupe, and light gray. If your home is just too boring and you think it needs some color, try to keep it mellow; blue-gray, light blue, pale yellow, or calke green should do the trick. Also, don’t be afraid to throw a coat of bright red or navy blue on your front door to make your house stand out (in a good way).
If you want to boost your resale potential on a budget, you can make it happen. Put some effort into updating your kitchen and master bathroom to gain the attention of buyers. Do some routine caulking and painting as an easy way to transform the appearance of your home. You’ll be surprised by the difference these DIY projects will make in the selling process.
GUEST BLOG POST By: Suzie Wilson ⎸info@happierhome.net ⎸Happier Home
Photo Credit: Unsplash
