Getting top dollar when it’s time to sell your home means improving the appearance of the house. Sometimes, a little money and elbow grease can go a long, long way, such as a fresh coat of paint or extra flowers for better curb appeal. Even in a tight seller’s market, adding value to your home can result in a much higher sales price.
There are a few simple DIY upgrades you can complete over a weekend to increase the value of your house.
1. Deep Clean and De-Clutter
When potential buyers view your home, they’re envisioning themselves living in it. Having too much personal stuff on display can detract from that illusion. When your home is messy and cluttered, even if there are just lots of boxes and bins, it’s harder for buyers to get a sense of the dimensions of each room and appreciate how much storage space your home has. Plus, de-cluttering and boxing up your possessions when selling your house can also make it easier to move!
2. Spruce Up Your Yard
Adding some flowers to your yard or replacing dead patches of grass with sod can liven up your curb appeal and make the front and back yards look more inviting. Make sure to keep your yard well-maintained while the house is on the market, from weekly mowing to intensive weed control and regular watering.
3. Fresh Paint for a Face Lift
A coat of new paint can immediately brighten up a room, making it look fresh and welcoming. Consider repainting the whole home in more neutral colors, such as white, off-white, or beige if you have time. While these colors may be a little bland and boring, they also have the greatest appeal and can be easier for new owners to paint over or decorate with their own touches. Plus, lighter colors can make the rooms look bigger.
4. Update Kitchen Cabinets
If you don’t have the funds to replace the entire kitchen cabinetry, you can still freshen up the “heart of the house.” You may wish to paint or stain your current cabinets for a smoother, more modern look. Simply thoroughly cleaning the cabinets and updating the hardware can make a world of difference, too.
Bathrooms and kitchens sell houses, though, and the more DIY projects you can do to update your kitchen, the more value you can add to your home. You may wish to invest in all-new appliances for the kitchen, too. Spending $2,000 for brand new appliances can easily add thousands to your selling price.
5. Add Lighting
Adding better lighting to your home doesn’t just add value. It also helps show the house to the best advantage. The better the lighting, the larger the room looks, and the better impression buyers have of the space when you’re selling your house.
You can add under-cabinet lights to the kitchen, landscape lights to brighten up the yard and improve curb appeal, and install ceiling fans for extra lights in bedrooms and living spaces.
Don’t Want to DIY Your Home?
If you don’t have the budget for DIY upgrades to your house before selling, or if you need to sell in a hurry, you may wish to choose an all-cash buyer. Cash buyers typically purchase the home as-is, without the need for extensive DIY repairs. They can also close in as little as a couple of weeks too, and there’s less risk that the transaction will fall through.
