Remodeling, Renovating & Staging Your Home To Sell

When selling your home, it’s important to look at your house through the eyes of your potential buyers. A quick walk around the outside and through the inside of your home can help you identify areas that might need a bit more attention – such as the cracked sidewalk leading up to your front door or the dripping faucet in the bathroom. Home renovations can help you get the highest possible price for your home – but be cautious about the renovations you choose. While many projects will increase the value of your home and provide a good return on investment, other projects are less appealing to potential buyers. Over a series of posts, we’ll discuss renovations with the best resale value – from small budget renovations to big budget renovations – along with which home renovations to avoid when selling a home.

Small Budget Home Renovations Can Reap Big Benefits

Small Budget Home Renovations: If you’re on a tight budget, there are several superficial renovations you can make to improve the overall look of your home. These types of renovations won’t change the actual structure or design of your home, but they will alter the appearance.

De-Cluttering & Staying Organized Makes Your Space Look Bigger

Stay Organized. Pay particular attention to cabinets and closets – spaces that almost every potential buyer peaks into while viewing your home. Use affordable organizing systems to de-clutter the spaces. If you have too much stuff, don’t just move things to the basement to get them out of the way — your potential buyers will likely see them down there and question the available storage space in your home. Instead, get rid of any extra stuff you don’t need – whether that means throwing it away, donating it or packing it up and moving it into a storage unit until you move into your new home.

Remove Clutter. When potential buyers are viewing your home, you want them to use their imagination and envision themselves living there. That can be a bit difficult when your personal items are cluttering the space. Keep your walls, countertops, shelving units and surfaces free of clutter. Remove unusual artwork, family photos, children’s toys, personal accessories and collections that might not appeal to everyone.

If You Can’t Afford To Renovate Your Kitchen, Upgrade Hardware

Upgrade Hardware and Fixtures. If your budget won’t allow you to renovate your entire kitchen or bathroom, simply switching out your hardware can be a budget-friendly way to spruce up the space. Ideas include updating your lighting fixtures, towel racks, cabinet pulls, door knobs, handles, faucets and outlet covers. Choose simple designs and colors that match the overall style of your home.

A Few Coats Of Paint Can Transform A Home

Paint and Freshen Up. A few coats of paint can instantly transform a space from dark and gloomy to warm and inviting. It’s not only an affordable renovation tool, it’s also easy for homeowners to change later on if they want a different look. When painting to sell your home, choose neutral colors like off-white, cream, tan or pale yellow.

Home Renovation Projects On A Budget

Although these simple strategies might not seem like traditional home renovation projects, they are excellent options for sellers on a tight budget. When potential buyers walk into your home, the overall appearance helps them form a first impression. Messy clutter, your family photos and unusual paint colors might be overwhelming, distracting potential buyers from the home’s true potential. In the next post, we’ll discuss more advanced home renovation ideas for sellers on a slightly bigger budget.