Home sellers have been delighted with the increase in property values in the last few years, but that doesn’t mean they have access to these funds before the sale. One of the most common questions asked of our real estate agents is how they can make their homes stand out from other Westbury homes for sale without a huge financial investment. Here are a few upgrades you can make without breaking the bank.
- Boost Curb Appeal
This begins with cleaning and grooming the front yard. Mow, rake, trim, and repair to attract the attention of every passerby. Fix broken pavers and repair cracks in the sidewalk. Remove bicycles, hoses, and tools from sight. You will be amazed at what some elbow grease will do for the house’s appearance. But with a few minor purchases, you can elevate that appearance even further. A freshly painted door will make the entire structure look newer. Exchange worn or dated hardware and change the light bulbs for a brighter appearance. Add seasonal plants to complete the process. - Remove Clutter to Maximize Space
Get a jump on your own move by packing personal items, photographs, and collections. Hanging large mirrors creates the illusion of a larger room. Professional home stagers recommend that you clear out closets and shelves by at least a third, if not half, to display their capacity. Remove extra hangers from the closet. Consider renting a storage unit to house off-season clothing, shoes, and sporting goods. - Deep Clean Everything
Now that you have all the junk out of the way, vacuum and steam clean carpets, dust, polish, or scrub every surface. Make floors and countertops shine and renew the sparkle on glass and porcelain. Wash the windows. Clean the drapes and curtains. This can be a tremendous amount of work, and you may wish to hire a professional service to do it for you. Many companies offer specials to first-time customers that will make the investment worthwhile. - Update Hardware
Both the bathroom and the kitchen can benefit from new faucets, lighting, knobs, and handles. Replace faceplates and wall switches to eliminate discolored plastic and grimy fingerprints. Replacing the sink and adding a backsplash are relatively inexpensive projects and fairly simple to do yourself. These two rooms are also the least expensive to paint, thanks to cabinets, tubs, and toilets. The return on your investment of both time and money can be substantial. Regrout the floor and shower tile to make them look new. - Painting
Giving a home a face-lift with a new coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective improvements a homeowner can make. Exterior painting can result in a payback of about 55%. Interior painting yields, on average, about 107% return on investment. Combining both can add up to 152% ROI. If you don’t wish to paint the entire house, consider power-washing the exterior and painting the trim. Whatever you choose will boost the home’s value and create a more positive first impression with potential buyers.
These are only a few of the ideas our licensed professionals can offer you to help maximize your profits. If you’re considering putting your house on the market, contact us to help guide you through the process and ensure you get the best price for your home.