When trying to sell your home, doing so quickly is never a guarantee. The housing market is constantly in flux, making it hard to know just what to expect when you put your home up for sale. In order to help you get your home sold, there are ways to add to the appeal and make your home a place where people will want to live. It’s best to research your options and decide what you can afford to spend to put your home’s best foot forward.
Always, Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is how welcoming and attractive your home looks from the street; it is a term that is used to capture the first impression that potential buyers get upon seeing your home. The state of your curb appeal will color how they view the inside of your home, so spending time and energy on it can help move your home faster. Great projects to improve curb appeal include painting your front door an attractive color and attending to the details of your home, like your mailbox, door hardware, and even welcome mats. These small changes will provide your whole home with a facelift without breaking the bank.
For larger projects or homes with more cosmetic needs, consider pressure washing or even repainting your home; it will make the place look new and inviting. And never underestimate the power of green space. From gardens to simple potted plants or window boxes, well-tended green space can boost your home’s value by up to 20 percent.
Clean Out the Interior
A clean house will sell better than a dirty one, of course, but being tidy is just as important. Tidying is the act of removing clutter rather than dust or cobwebs. Consider the potential for renting a storage unit to reclaim some of your space. It can be helpful to remove family photos and heirlooms, valuables, and even some large or well-used furniture out of the house so that potential buyers can envision themselves in the space. Cleaning out your clutter can feel overwhelming, but by making a plan and working in chunks, it is possible to make the space as open and airy as possible. Be sure to open up the curtains and blinds during showings; well-lit homes sell better than their shadowy counterparts.
Don’t Forget the Backyard
Another great way to add value is to provide an outdoor entertainment space in your back or side yard. Adding a patio isn’t necessarily a cheap endeavor — these projects typically range from $1,500 and $6,800 — but it boosts value and buyer appeal. Shape and size will determine your overall cost but know that concrete is typically priced around $108 per cubic yard, and having it poured runs around $8 to $18 per square foot. Prices also fluctuate depending on the decorative style. Stamped concrete, for example, starts in the $8 to $12 per square foot range, while stained concrete, which is more affordable, starts in the $2 to $4 per square foot range. There are tons of options to choose from, so research what kind of space you want to create. Just know that the work you put into the space will come back with interest when you sell your home, so don’t let the sticker price put you off when considering this type of project.
Other projects that can have a similar effect are garages and driveways. You may not recoup 100 percent of your costs, but many times these items can help your home sell far more quickly. If speed is of the essence, consider what spaces will attract buyers and invest accordingly.
Selling a home can be stressful, but there are projects of all sizes and budgets that will help move your home quickly. With the home sold, you can move on to the next big adventure, so don’t hesitate to increase your home’s value today.