If you are getting ready to sell your home, then it is likely you are feeling a lot of excitement about the changes ahead. However, selling your home can also feel like a stressful process as well. This can be especially true if you don’t feel that it is ready to go on the market, or that there are things you need to do to make sure that it is more appealing to potential buyers.
While it may feel like a lot to tackle, the good news is that making sure your home is updated and ready to go on the market can be a straightforward process. If you are looking for some updates to make before putting your home up for sale, then here are some things to try.
Make Sure Major Appliances Are Updated
One of the first things you should do when getting your home ready for sale is making sure that all major appliances are updated and in good working order. This means that you should ensure that your furnace, water heater and other appliances like a water softener or humidifier are all functioning well.
A major appliance that doesn’t function properly can be a big turn off to a potential buyer, even if they love your home. By getting these appliances checked and maintained, you can provide potential buyers with confidence that they won’t have to deal with repairing or replacing these appliances as soon as they purchase your home.
Get Your Home Inspected
Along with getting all of your major appliances checked, it is also important to make sure that you get the rest of your home inspected as well. This can be particularly true of your electrical wiring, and your plumbing. By taking care of these things and making sure that nothing is wrong with your solid state timing relays you can let potential buyers know that your home is safe, secure, and in good shape.
Finish Your Basement
One way to add value to your home and to get the attention of a wider range of potential buyers is to finish your basement. A finished basement not only looks better and more polished, but it also adds lots of valuable living space to your home. A finished basement can be very versatile, and can be a great space for anything from a home office to a play room for children.
When finishing your basement, it is important to make sure that you install plenty of lighting, as there is often little or no natural light in most basements. Additionally, it is also important to select light, airy colors for your walls and decor, as these kinds of colors can help create the illusion of there being more light and space.
Upgrade Your Kitchen
Along with finishing your basement if it isn’t already, upgrading your kitchen can make a big difference if you are looking to catch more potential buyer’s eyes. Upgrading your kitchen is not only important because kitchen trends tend to change more quickly than trends for other areas of the home, but also because kitchens typically undergo more wear and tear than other rooms in the home.
Depending on your kitchen and what is affordable for you, you may want to completely change your kitchen and give it a total remodel. However, you don’t necessarily have to overhaul your whole kitchen to give it an updated look or improve its appeal to a potential buyer. In many cases, small touches like a new coat of paint or a new backsplash can spruce up your kitchen without breaking the bank.
Freshen Up Your Bathroom
Besides kitchens, bathrooms also undergo lots of wear and tear, and are more susceptible to water damage than other rooms in your home. Because of this it can be beneficial to freshen up your bathroom before you put it on the market. If you have any leaking or damaged appliances, then fixing those should be your first priority. After that, small touches like new hardware on cabinents and new paint can go a long way towards giving your bathroom an updated appearance.
Update Your Paint Colors
Something else you need to consider when getting your home prepped for sale is your paint colors. If your home features lots of dark, bright or bold colors, it may be a good idea to change them out for a more neutral color palette instead. This is because while these colors may appeal to you, they may be distracting to potential buyers and might make it difficult for them to imagine themselves living in the home. To give your home a modern and more universally appealing looking, opting for colors like gray, beige, taupe and cream can be a good idea.
Check Your Exterior
Even though it is important to make sure that the interior of your home is appealing, it is equally as important to make sure that the exterior of your home looks good as well, as this is what will give potential buyers their first impression of your home. By making sure that your roof is free of issues, that your windows are new and that your siding is clean or new, you can help ensure that buyer’s won’t be put off by any issues with the outside of your home.
Work On Your Curb Appeal
Along with working on your home’s exterior, you also need to consider your home’s curb appeal overall if you truly want it to stand out. Even though some may find improving their curb appeal to be a daunting task, the reality is that it can often be as simple as making sure that your lawn is well-maintained, and that there is no visible damage or debris. By keeping the outside of your home neat and tidy, you can help give it a welcoming appearance that will draw potential buyers in.
A Few Last Thoughts
Getting your home ready for sale can be exciting, but it can be stressful, too. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and that by making the right updates you can help your home to stand out in the housing market.
