After helping countless home sellers with one of the most important financial transactions of their lives, one thing I’ve understood is that very few people know how to maximize the value of their assets. So, if you are planning to sell your house, don’t make that mistake.
There are various things you can do to make your property more attractive to buyers, which will help you get the best price (as close to your ideal mark as possible), and it will also help make the deal go smoothly on your terms.
Home Improvements To Make Your Property More Attractive To Buyers
The most organic way to make your property more attractive to buyers is to make it more attractive, i.e., improving the property. I have prepared this list based on my experience with buyer’s expectations and areas that can move the needle (at least a little) in the seller’s favor.
- Leverage the power of professional/power washing and disinfecting. A professional cleaning/power washing can do wonders for your property. Power washing helps get rid of dust and grime (especially from the exterior), which coats and hides the actual color underneath.
It can give your home a fresh and clean look, which is likely to draw more eyes. It can also help buyers drop one thing off their move-in to-do lists. - Experiment with landscaping (or hire a professional). To turn a front yard into a worthwhile asset, make sure it’s properly maintained. Cut the grass, take care of the weeds, clean up dead leaves (if there are any), and consider adding a few low-cost/low-maintained plants. If you have a barren front yard, look up affordable stone garden ideas.
- A door is an important element when it comes to making a great first impression on your potential buyers, so you should try and make it more appealing. Research indicates that front doors with specific colors (charcoal grey, rich jet black, smoky black) actually help sellers fetch a better price for their properties.
- Improve the curb appeal and home interior with better lighting. From affordable solar LED lights for the front yard to smart outdoor lights, there are a number of ways to improve your home’s curb appeal with lighting fixtures. They can transform the way your home looks at night and make it more appealing to potential buyers visiting the property in the evening. Similarly, a few lamps and newer light fixtures can improve indoor lighting as well.
- Kitchens and bathrooms are not “property highlights” per se, but they can be improved under a very limited budget and help you impress your potential buyers by the “thoroughness” of your home upkeep. Simply changing the handles and staining the cabinets can make your kitchen look refreshing. You can also clean or replace caulking in your bathrooms DIY style with minimal financial input.
- A fresh coat of paint can freshen up the look of your house. Though if you have limited time or money, you might have to choose between getting the exterior painted anew or repaint the rooms inside.
- Decluttering has various benefits, i.e., it depersonalizes your property, makes it look more spacious, conveys a tidy impression, etc. All of these are attractive “features” for the buyer. Similarly, a staged property allows buyers to imagine/visualize themselves in the property, nudging them towards making a purchase. It also allows you to highlight the strong elements of your property while undermining its weaknesses.
A Few Factors That Can Influence The Sale Price
There are other things that can influence the sale in your favor as well.
Professional photography and virtual tours can make your listing pop out from other properties. People who might not take the time to visit the property will benefit from virtual tours, and you’ll get more eyes on your house.
A pre-listing inspection can help prepare ahead of time. You can either get the repairs done or set your asking price range accordingly.
If you are not selling your home in a hurry and can wait a few months, it’s a good idea to list your home in a seller’s market. With more buyers competing for limited inventory, you might be able to sell your home at a premium price.
Always listen to your agent. Realtors know how to navigate the market, negotiate sales, and conclude the transaction with minimal friction. Your goal should be to work with your realtor as a team to get the best possible deal instead of hindering their approach.
Conclusion
There are hundreds of ways to improve and make your property more attractive to buyers. Still, you should focus on improvements that can offer the best returns for minimal investment (both financial and physical). Selling your home is a lengthy and emotionally draining process, and you shouldn’t make it more complicated than it needs to be. So listen to your realtor, do your own research, and come up with a list of optimal home improvements (that you can easily undertake) to make your property more attractive to buyers.
