8 Home Improvements To Make Before Selling Your House

Selling your home is your opportunity to make a significant profit. How much you come away with depends largely on the amount of elbow grease you apply in readying your property for sale.  

Certain upgrades and renovations can reap a substantial return on your investment. For help knowing what repairs are urgent and must be completed before selling your home, please see the infographic below.

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Here are eight home improvements to make before selling your home to get top dollar.

1. Replace Your Windows  

If you feel chilly sitting by a window in winter, what you feel is your energy bill ticking upward. According to the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, the energy used to offset heat loss through residential and commercial buildings topped $20 billion, a quarter of all heating and cooling costs.  

Fortunately, this improvement adds considerable value to your home, allowing you to recoup up to 74% of what you spend on replacement. You can highlight this feature when showing your home. Be sure to inform your real estate agent so that they can pass on the good news to prospective buyers.

2. Update Your Entryway 

You know the saying — you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Your entryway should wow prospective buyers to your home with a warm welcome.  

Your first order of business is getting the area tidy. Then, paint concrete steps a solid color, using a contrasting hue to create a runner-like effect. Add some door numbers, available for relatively little at your local hardware store. Complete the look with a bit of decor — perhaps some elegant planters on either side of your door and a fashionable wreath and welcome mat.

3. Paint 

When it comes to maximizing your return on investment, you can’t go wrong with a fresh coat of paint. A gallon bucket only costs around $30 at hardware stores, but it can transform the look of your home.  

If you only want to add a splash of color, painting your front door and shutters a vibrant hue adds striking curb appeal. If your interior walls look dingy, repaint them a neutral shade so that prospective buyers can visualize how the home will look with their furnishings and taste in decor. You can always paint one accent wall.  

Think beyond the usual. For example, painting dark custom kitchen cabinets a lighter, more inviting shade opens up your kitchen, making it appear larger and airier.

4. Upgrade Your Appliances  

Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and prospective buyers spend considerable time here imagining future Thanksgiving dinners. Wow them by installing that double oven that you’ve talked about adding for years.  

If a renovation of that magnitude isn’t in the cards due to space constraints, consider upgrading your appliances. Ever since the Energy Star program launched in 1992, manufacturers have competed for the best ratings. Today’s homebuyers frequently state that they’re willing to pay a bit more for environmental sustainability, and you can sell this improvement as a green upgrade during contract negotiations.

5. Renovate Your Garage 

When real estate agents ask their clients what they want most in a new home, organized garage storage space nearly always makes their wishlist. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend much money or elbow grease to complete this renovation.  

Begin by adding a pegboard to hang your gardening and other small tools. Buyers with small children will want storage spaces far from little hands for placing antifreeze and other hazardous options. Overhead Garage Storage Racks are a great option for storing such items safely. Tall shelves, including those above the door, offer one option. Locking cabinets present another.  

Please ensure you epoxy your floor when you complete your organization. Doing so costs less than $200 and hides unsightly oil stains while preventing new ones from forming. It also protects the concrete against cracking.

6. Build a Deck or Patio 

Another item that homebuyers cite they want — especially given the pandemic — is outdoor living space. Staring at the same four walls gets tiresome no matter how nicely you paint them.  

Consider building a deck or a patio if your home lacks one. If all you have is a concrete slab, improve that puppy by adding stone texture, railings or even outdoor carpet. If you have an existing structure, consider screening-in part of it to allow alfresco dining minus stinging insect pests.

7. Landscape  

You want your home to scream curb appeal. To accomplish this, you need well-manicured landscaping.  

If you can’t stand spending every Saturday pushing a lawnmower, why not consider xeriscaping? This landscaping style uses native plants with naturally low water needs, minimizing your maintenance. Designers often incorporate other stress-free features such as stone and river rock to complete the look.

8. Repair Your Roof  

Your home’s roof protects your family from the elements. Leaving repairs go undone can eventually cause structural damage that destroys the value of your home.  

Please clean your gutters and inspect your roof. Always wear a hard hat and consider calling a contractor if your home has two stories or more. If you notice any missing shingles or tiles, inspect for damage and replace them without delay.

Make These 8 Improvements Before Selling Your House  

Getting the most for the resale of your home requires a bit of work. Make these eight improvements before selling your house to get the most out of your investment.