Adding Value to Your Home…

For the thousands of home-owners with “for sale” signs in their yards, what thay make on the sale can come down to proper improvement projects. Homeowners should focus their time and money on the these five simple projects to add max value to their home before selling.

Believe it or not, you don’t have to spend a fortune to make a big impact on the value of their home (prior to sale) with some simple, inexpensive upgrades and touch-ups. The key is to make your dollars work the hardest in the right areas. The are the 5 top

Renew kitchens and bathrooms
Updated kitchens and bathrooms continue to be at the top of the list for potential buyers. While costly gut renovations provide high returns on investment, other smaller cosmetic upgrades are equally as important. Replace or refinish floors, old counter tops and cabinetry, as well as switch out existing cabinetry knobs and even faucets.

Remove the Clutter
Uncluttered rooms give potential buyers the illusion of extra square footage, which is a key selling point, and a better opportunity to picture each room as their own. Customized closet, kitchen and garage systems, which conveniently package together all the necessary shelving, hanging rods, hardware and other essentials, can either be built or bought for under $500.

Another big idea is to extend livable space to the outdoors by creating a simple outdoor living room, which is on every homeowner’s wish list this season. For resale purposes, a home should come with the basics, such as an attractive stone patio or deck, so potential buyers can quickly envision and utilize the space. A garden pond is also easy to install and adds quick appeal, especially in favor of more costly professional landscaping projects.

Touch it up — Paint, Paint, Paint
One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to give your home a quick facelift is with a fresh coat of paint — both inside and out. Neutral and earth tone color palettes show the best during open houses. Add a rich, bold color in small doses throughout the house or in unexpected areas, such as the front door, entry hallway, guest bathroom, stair risers, or even on one focal wall in the living room.

Create curb appeal
You have to get potential buyers in the house first. These first impressions are everything when it comes to selling a home. Pay special attention to the appearance and condition of the front of the home. Overgrown shrubbery has to be dealt with — cut it back way ahead of time so it can start to grow or replace it with smaller shrubs. A few other must-do projects include: mow the lawn; seed bare patches; add potted plants and colorful, seasonal flowers to the front porch; add sidewalk lighting; replace the door knocker and address numbers; and be sure the door bell is working. These easy improvements make a potential buyer’s first welcome and final goodbye more inviting.

Fix the flaws
While cosmetic enhancements are important to a home’s bottom-line, nothing will have a potential buyer running for the door faster than noticeable damage. To avoid signaling neglect and wear, repair projects should include: spackling over cracks, holes and uneven wall textures; refinishing stained or discolored hardwood floors; stabilizing stair railings; fixing squeaky doors and tightening or replacing leaky faucets.