With the 2019 Residential Real Estate season in full affect, I’ve had many clients approach me, asking for tips on how they can easily add value to their property as they prepare to sell.

In this post, I will cover 5 value-added tips that will help you prepare your property for resale and allow you to better attract buyers.

Make Small Repairs

Most buyers feel better when a home appears to be well taken care of with peace of mind that there won’t be a significant amount of tedious repairs that need to be made before moving in.

Start with a checklist of making sure all appliances are in top working order, have an HVAC professional come and do a check up on your HVAC system.  

Below is a list of easy fixes to go through that will freshen up your home and show it was well taken care of.

  • Fix any leaking faucets and running toilets.
  • Recaulk or Replace caulking around tubs, showers and sinks.
  • Freshen up or repair grout as needed.
  • Repair any damaged walls
  • Replace burned-out lightbulbs
  • Update light fixtures if needed for a more modern appeal
  • Consider investing in a home inspection so there aren’t any surprises with the potential buyer inspector reviews the property

Maximize Living Space

Space’s can easily appear small if there’s too much clutter.  Make sure you’re maximizing your living space and it appears adaptable to different buyers taste.

To do this, declutter your space and remove excess furniture and items that may be appealing only to unique tastes.  You want the spaces in the living area and bedroom to appear open and bright. This allows buyers to see the flexibility of the space and visualize how their tastes could conform.  

I recommend painting the living space a light neutral color brightening up the rooms and giving a welcome and open appearance.  Lastly if you’ve found unique ways to utilize the space, such as a great spot to set up a home office, make sure you highlight this.  Doing so helps buyers visualize how to get the most out of the square footage.

You may even want to consider temporarily renting a storage space in order to remove excess clutter from your home.

Kitchen highlights

Kitchens tend to play a critical role in home-buying decision, to get the most out of your kitchen, first declutter the counter-tops, you’ll want to make sure the kitchen looks spacious.  

Repaint backsplashes and ceilings to clean up and stains and grease marks from cooking use, you could also consider a contrasting or eye-catching color for a backsplash that can give the kichen a new feel.

Consider making a small investment in stainless steel appliances, an updated stainless range, dishwasher, and refrigerator can go a long way in kitchen appeal, especially in older kitchens that have not been updated.

Make the bathroom feel like a spa

Who doesn’t like stepping into a nice bathroom at a resort.  Clean fresh towels, good lighting and a refreshing feeling. Make your bathrooms feel luxurious.

Firstly, clean. This includes the aforementioned recaulking, cleaning grout and getting rid of any moldy spots.

Paint the ceiling walls warming and relaxing neutral colors.  If you have outdated fixtures such as hardware, lighting and even faucets then replacing them is a low investment that can give an updated feel.  

If cabinetry is outdated, considering painting the for a quick updated look.  

Invest in staging

If you’re moving out before you’ve sold, consider investing in staging your home, a good staging consultant can help maximize the visual appeal of your space and give potential buyers ideas on the best ways to utilize the space.

If you are having your home staged hire a good photographer to take images of your staging.

Your real estate agent will be able to help make recommendations for local staging companies and photographers.

I hope this guide has been helpful for you, if you are considering selling your property please contact me here, I would happy to assist you.