The Best Upgrades to Make When Preparing to List Your Home
With the right approach and planning, you can most definitely maximize the potential of your home prior to the sale. In fact, there are a number of low-cost upgrades that can not only be completed quickly, but they can also help to boost the value and appeal of your home!
In this article we take a look at some of the best low-cost upgrades to make when preparing to list your home. For more information or help getting started, contact us today!
Painting the Walls
Simple, yet extremely effective.
A simple coat of paint in the right area, or throughout your home, can absolutely help to make a lasting impression. Whether you’re looking to neutralize an area or simply give your space the refresh that it deserves, a fresh coat of paint can truly do wonders.
Looking to take things one step further? Consider painting your front door! Depending on factors such as your neighbourhood and the overall aesthetic of the exterior, you may want to opt for a neutral colour such as white, beige or gray, while others enjoy adding a pop of colour.
The kind of paint that you use can have an impact on the end result. While it is ideal to save a little money where you can, low-quality paint can offer low-quality results. The room that you are painting can also have an impact on the kind of paint, as bathrooms and kitchens may require a different finish than a bedroom or living room, due to the higher amounts of moisture.
Exterior Landscaping
First impressions can go a long way!
When it comes to the first impression that your home gives, especially while on the market, curb appeal can really do wonders. One of the best ways to give the exterior of your home a refresh? Landscaping.
Here are some simple, yet effective, landscaping tips to help you boost overall curb appeal:
Create a clean and tidy exterior by removing old furniture, clearing debris and removing any clutter. The furniture on your front porch and pieces of decor should all have a purpose. Any items that are randomly placed can often look messy and affect the overall appearance of your home.
Give your garden and lawn some TLC. A little gardening can go a long way. We suggest giving your lawn a fresh cut, providing enough water and removing weeds. Once your lawn has been tended to, take some time to remove weeds and clean up the plants in your garden, finishing with a fresh coat of mulch!
Adding exterior lighting can really give your home an edge. Exterior lighting can range from in-ground lights placed along pathways or in the garden, to stair lighting, string lighting or lights installed along the exterior of your home.
When it comes to curb appeal, we find that less is more. A clean and fresh look can act as a blank canvas, allowing potential home buyers the opportunity to really envision themselves living there!
If you want to landscape but aren’t sure where to begin, we suggest getting started with a little research and inspiration! A simple Google or Pinterest search is a great way to find ideas, or taking a walk through your neighbourhood.
Updated Carpet or Flooring
One of the first things that a potential buyer will notice upon entering your home?
The floors.
If your carpet, laminate or hardwood is old, discoloured or damaged, the potential buyer is likely going to notice. Not only that, but it’s also likely to have an impact on the appeal of your home. Unfortunately, this can also impact how much they are willing to pay as well.
While updating the flooring may feel like a larger task than others, it truly is a cost-effective way to update your home. Not only can new flooring leave potential buyers impressed, but it can also encourage them to make a higher offer!
New Kitchen Appliances
Installing new kitchen appliances can offer a number of benefits.
For starters, modern appliances can help to improve the overall appearance of your kitchen. Nothing quite dates a space like technology that is 20+ years old, after all!
The newer your kitchen appliances, the better they are likely to operate. This can mean a quieter dishwashing cycle, evenly-cooked food and a fridge that keeps the temperature of your food perfectly regulated.
New appliances can also offer better energy-efficiency, as many new options are ENERGY STAR rated. This means that not only will the appliances look and perform better, but they will cost less in the long run than other alternatives!
Having new kitchen appliances installed often costs less than many homeowners think. It can also help if you shop the sales and really do your research on which appliances offer the most for your hard-earned money.
Repair Damage
Many homeowners will agree, it feels like there is always something that needs to be repaired or completed. While these tasks can feel daunting, finishing them can really pay off. Especially when listing your home!
If a potential buyer sees an unfinished project or damage, it may impact their interest in the home. Not only does a repair require money, but also time and effort. As a new homeowner, the last thing you want to think about is the already-growing list of things to do around your home.
Not only can repairing damage help to create a more positive relationship between the home and potential buyer, but it can also help to increase the value of your home - effectively enabling you to list it a little higher if you choose!
Upgraded Lighting
Upgrading the lighting in your home can do more for the listing than you might think!
Outdated lighting is just that, outdated. It can most definitely impact the aesthetic of your home as a whole, not to mention that older lighting is often associated with poor energy efficiency.
With help from an electrician, replacing older light fixtures throughout your home can help to raise the value and appeal, without a ton of money or work behind it.
Listing Your Home in Cambridge
Is it time to list your home?
With the right planning, approach and overall strategy, we can help ensure that your property makes a splash while on the market! For more information or help getting started, contact us today! We proudly serve Cambridge, Kitchener, Guelph, Waterloo, and Brantford.
No matter your timeline, preferences or needs, we are always here to help.
