Home sellers are a busy lot. They need to have their house listed, marketed and advertised. Many sellers are getting ready for open house showings while simultaneously researching other properties and neighborhoods that might interest them.
If you’re trying to sell your house in an active market, you may have to give people more reasons to purchase your home. There are probably going to be several residences that are comparable in terms of price and square footage. There are plenty of ways to add more value to your house to make it stand out above the rest.
Selling a home in North Carolina can take time. Even if you have a motivated buyer, the entire process may take several weeks or months to complete. There are certain steps that must be taken and different professionals that become involved at specific stages. You could even run into unexpected problems or delays. Patience, persistence and a solid plan of action can help you achieve your goal.
Here are 23 fantastic ways to add more value when you’re trying to sell your home:
1. Clean the house from top to bottom.
One of the first things that you should do is to clean the home thoroughly. It might take a few hours or days to complete the job, but it’s a good way to add instant resale value. You can do all of the work yourself or hire professional cleaners. If you’re going to tackle the job, you can break it up into smaller segments. For example, you can clean the bathrooms one day and the living room the next day, and so on.
2. Replace old rugs and carpets.
Take a few minutes to examine the carpets and rugs in your home. If they’re old or worn out, it’s time to replace them. You should be able to find more modern rugs and carpeting that won’t break your budget. It’s a very simple way to provide more resale value that doesn’t require much effort. You can replace the carpets by hand or call on the services of professional installers.
3. Have the home inspected.
A home inspection is a common component for most real estate transactions. You may want to be proactive and schedule an inspection before the sale.
A licensed inspector will review the condition of the house’s interior and exterior. They will then provide you with their findings. If there are significant items in need of repair or renovation, you can take care of those things before accepting an offer or putting the property on the market. You can feature those changes in your listing and may be able to increase your selling price.
4. Use energy efficient appliances.
Many homeowners are concerned about reducing costs, especially when inflation rises. One way to lower your energy bills is by using light bulbs and appliances that use less energy. There are many different styles and models to choose from. These items can appeal to potential buyers when they are featured in your listing and marketing and promotional materials.
5. Improve your home’s air quality.
Indoor air quality is important. Allergens and other irritants lurk in many buildings. Have a technician evaluate your heating and cooling system. They may clean the units or recommend more effective air filters.
You can also add new wood and tile flooring, which doesn’t retain dust, dirt and other possible allergens. They look great and add resale value to your house right away.
6. Make a few adjustments to your bathrooms.
It may be time for some cosmetic changes to your bathrooms in your home. You could replace tile, faucets, light fixtures and shower heads. If you have the time and budget, you could also completely revamp those rooms by installing walk-in tubs or repainting walls. Whatever adjustments you made will be sure to be noticed by potential buyers.
7. Tackle your “to do” list items.
Most homeowners keep tabs of different things that need to be repaired or replaced in their homes. If you’re putting your house up for sale soon, it’s a good idea to take care of the items that have been on your “to-do” list for a while.
Replace your air filters when necessary. Repair or replace any leaky faucets. Buyers want a house without hassles. Taking care of these and other related projects can not only give you a sense of accomplishment but can also provide more value.
8. Add a fresh coat of paint.
Some rooms in your house may have had the same color schemes for a while. They’ve probably been cleaned every so often, but you could consider repainting. You can stick with the same colors or try something completely different. Just make sure that you choose colors that are visually appealing and are easy to paint over if the new owners decide to paint after a while.
9. Plant a few trees.
If your yard is big enough, you can plant a tree or two. Shade trees provide protection from the sun’s rays and can also help you save money on your cooling bills. Most trees live for many years, add value to a property and make a good home for birds, squirrels and other animals.
10. Landscape.
First impressions are very important. Prospective buyers will often make their decision based on what they see at open house showings. Unmowed or patchy lawns can be an immediate turnoff. Assess your lawn’s condition early in the growing season. Reseed unsightly sections as needed and trim your hedges and bushes. Weed your garden and remove any plants that are unsightly or cumbersome.
11. Add a water filtration system.
Homeowners that already have water filtration systems can save money on water costs right away. They don’t need to buy bottled water because they can enjoy fresh filtered water right from their tap. Most systems are relatively inexpensive and they’re a nice added feature that can help your home stand out against other similar houses in your area.
12. Add more space visually.
There are various ways that you can visually create more space in different rooms around your home. Let more natural light in your living room, bedrooms and kitchens and install shutters or vertical blinds. Make more closet space with shelving or portable storage cabinets. You can also hang mirrors in guest rooms, bedrooms, and your living room to make it appear that there’s more living space instantly.
13. Declutter.
Before you move, decide what you’ll be taking with you and what will stay in the house. Any unwanted or unused items can be discarded, sold or donated to your favorite charities. Keep any family photos or other potentially sensitive personal belongings out of sight and reach from your open house visitors. You may even want to temporarily rent storage space or place furniture and other items in the care of a neighbor, friend or relative until after the sale has been completed.
14. Get professional advice.
You can enlist the services of experienced home stages or interior decorators if you’re stumped for ideas. They can visually inspect your person virtually or in person and make recommendations. Feel free to shop around until you’ve found experts that best meet your needs.
15. Add or remodel your deck.
Decks are key selling points. They add more outdoor space for people to congregate. Most decks can be built or repaired in a few days or less, and these projects won’t take a huge bite out of your budget. It may be time to replace loose boards and give your current deck a fresh coat of paint or wood stain.
16. Place a few plants.
Shrubs and plants add instant appeal to any home. Try to select ones that need less regular upkeep and don’t consume as much water as other traditional outdoor plants. They should look nice and be able to endure different types of weather extremes.
17. Update your kitchen.
If your stove, microwave, refrigerator or other kitchen appliances are ten years old or more, they’re probably past their prime. You can buy new models that are more modern and use less energy. Not only do new appliances look nice, but they also add value and generate interest for people who are looking for a new place to live.
18. Add a fire pit.
Fire pits are good conversation pieces. They fit well in many backyards. Most of them can be installed in less than a day. It’s a nice selling feature that quickly adds value to your property.
19. Upgrade your walkways.
Walkways are an aspect that some homeowners overlook. You may consider adding lighting to your front and back sidewalks. There are many different ways to illuminate your walkways. They can be very helpful when people are hosting dinners and other special events. Most lighting sets are around $100 or less, so it won’t cost much to add another key selling feature.
20. Replace loose shingles and siding.
Before you sell the house, take a few moments to examine its exterior. Any worn, loose, or broken siding panels or shingles should be replaced immediately. You can re-shingle or re-side the home if you want to give it a more modern touch.
21. Insulate the attic.
Many homes today lack proper insulation. This can cause heating and cooling costs for your house to increase. Homeowners who add insulation to their attics usually see a good return on that investment in a matter of weeks at minimum.
22. Add recessed lighting.
Recessed lighting fixtures can add more light to different rooms in your home. They’re trendy and can quickly add to the house’s appeal. Most recessed lights can be installed for around $200 or so. You can add them to every room or focus on key areas, such as your kitchen, living room and hallways.
23. Install an irrigation system.
Irrigation systems can have your lawn looking fresh and vibrant in no time. More and more homeowners have been adding this feature to their properties in recent years. It’s an efficient and easy way to provide potential buyers with another reason to make an offer.
Conclusion
These are just some of the many ways to add value to your property. Your realtor, stager or design consultant can supply you with additional ideas to make your home simply too good to pass up. Evaluate your options and budget for them carefully. You don’t want to do more than you can realistically afford.
After you’ve accepted an offer, it won’t be long until the sale will be finalized. At closing, all final paperwork will be signed and processed. The buyer will get the keys to your former home. You’ll receive payment for the net proceeds to do with as you see fit. Feel free to congratulate yourself on a job well done! It’s time to look ahead to the next phase of your busy life in another location.
Have Questions? Ask Liz!
Your real estate agent is the best source of information about the local community and real estate topics. Give Liz J. Holterhaus a call today at (252) 202-2156 to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale.
