When you’ve decided it’s time to sell, you want your home to be as appealing to potential buyers as possible. If you’re like most, you’re willing to spend a little money on improvements, but you don’t want to waste money on upgrades that won’t see a return on investment. We’ve worked with hundreds of buyers over the years and have noticed it isn’t always the most expensive remodels that make them choose a house. In fact, unless the house has the design selections a buyer would have made (which happens less often than you think), they often tell me they would prefer a house that wasn’t upgraded so they don’t have to pay for upgrades they will eventually redo. Expensive remodels, though appealing to the right buyer, may not always be the best way to maximize your return on investment when it comes time to sell. Focus on these 7 inexpensive upgrades if you want to maximize your ROI and make your home more appealing to buyers without breaking the bank. Preparing for a renovation can be easy if factors like time and money are calculated beforehand. There are many grout removal tools for every budget alongside every other tool that is needed for floor renovations or tiling work.
7 Inexpensive Upgrades to Maximize ROI for Sellers
Below we’ve put together a list of 7 inexpensive upgrades for sellers looking to get the most bang for their buck. Most of these improvements are under a few hundred bucks (some even less) and are all upgrades that create excitement with potential buyers.
Lighting Fixtures
You’d be surprised how changing lighting fixtures can completely change the look of a house. You can transform a dated, tired home into a nearly new looking home with just light fixtures. Whether the fixtures in your home are dated or are cheap looking, they are worth upgrading.
Consider installing lighted ceiling fans in bedrooms and public rooms to show energy efficiency. Modern looking fixtures in bathrooms are essential as they give the appearance of an upgraded bathroom, if you are starting a bathroom remodel we suggest to look up to a professional. Kitchen lighting is the same. Replace those cheap looking fluorescent tube lights that you’ll find in most apartments with a more modern fixture. There are even some that simulate track lighting, which will give the appearance of an upgraded kitchen.
Changing out fixtures can be a do it yourself job or a simple handyman job – no need to hire an electrician. Most handymen are comfortable changing fixtures and will charge you a fraction of what an electrician will.
Door Hardware
Door hardware is another inexpensive upgrade that really dates a house. Changing out those gold or bronze handles for a polished or satin nickel will instantly make your house appear newer than it really is. Door hardware is typically a less than $10 per door fix and can easily be changed out with a power screw driver. No handyman necessary for this fix.
Kitchen and Bath Faucets
A fancy kitchen faucet is another way to make your kitchen look like it’s gotten a fresh makeover workers from Kitchen Design Perth can help you with all the renovations you want to make. This is one item you can splurge a little on. The faucets that turn on by motion or the pull down faucets you find in most higher end kitchens are getting less expensive and buyers will be impressed. For some reason, the kitchen sink is one spot most buyers make a point to explore, not to mention how your refrigerator can be another beneficial point, that doesn’t mean you have to buy a new one, you can simply get help from the A1 Dallas Commercial Refrigeration Repair.
Bathroom faucets are another easy upgrade to draw attention away from the dated color of the bathroom cabinets. These don’t have to be too fancy, but need to be an appealing color (like nickel) that today’s buyers are looking for. Don’t buy the bottom of the line faucet, one level above basic is fine.
Faucets can be a do it yourself thing, but if you don’t have the right tools, it can be a frustrating process. A handyman usually doesn’t charge too much to switch those out (we paid $25 a faucet) and if you aren’t experienced, this is well worth the money.
Master Bathroom Shower Head
Master bathroom showers are one place where most buyers spend extra time exploring. Showers are a big deal for most buyers. You don’t have to have the biggest or most luxurious looking shower to get their attention. Install a great shower head and they will focus on that instead of the dated shower door.
Fresh Paint
A fresh coat of paint can also transform space, sandblasting boston can do it all. especially if your walls are dirty, or if you have off putting wall colors or large murals. We helped a buyer find a house and it had a huge mural painted on the living room wall. The mural was mostly black and though I’m sure it meant something to the current owner, it was very overwhelming to a new buyer and this house sat on the market. Our buyer could see through the mural and bought the house, but told me it took six coats of paint and primer to erase it.
Another example is a house that has unusually dirty walls – say from pets or kids. The rest of the house could be immaculate, but buyers will focus on the tired walls. Help buyers focus on the other upgrades you installed by painting the walls a neutral color. And – don’t forget to pain the front door!
Home Automation
Home automation has gotten quite a bit of attention from buyers lately. The home automation companies have done a great job promoting the benefits of energy efficiency and the “coolness factor” of being able to change the temperature of their house from their iPhone. Whether or not a buyer needs this technology, they want it and are willing to pay more to get it. Things like Nest Thermostats, security systems monitored on your phone and key code front door locks are hugely popular. These are under $300 each and can easily be installed yourself.
Stainless Steel Color Appliances
Many appliance makers are now making stainless steel color appliances, which are a lot less expensive than their stainless steel counterparts. Most buyers are only looking for the appearance of stainless steel and some won’t even know the difference, so why spend the extra money if you are upgrading to sell? Stainless steel color appliances are something most every buyer will want when they upgrade. Don’t spend the money on design choices – like granite, cabinets, backsplashes – that might not match the buyers taste. Instead, spend the money on the appliances and buyers will make it worth your while.
Want a More Personalized List of Inexpensive Upgrades for Your Home?
Selling your home isn’t plug and play. Though we can make these generalized lists of things you can do to make your home appealing to buyers, it helps to have a more targeted list specific to your home. If you’re considering selling, have one of our home selling specialists come out to your house and help you make a targeted list of things you can do to maximize your return on investment. Simply fill out our Seller Survey and one of our home selling specialists will contact you to schedule an in-home consultation.
Thinking About Selling Your Home in Austin?
We can help! We have a combined 58+ years experience in real estate, we know the Austin real estate market and have undoubtedly the best home marketing plan in Austin. If you’re looking for someone who will market your house, not use your house to get their next buyer client, call us at (512) 827-8323, email us at info@11OaksRealty.com or fill out our Seller Survey to schedule a time to talk. Not convinced we’re the right people yet? Check out our Austin Home Sellers section for more info about our proven home selling system guaranteed to get you the most money in the shortest time.
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