When people start pondering selling their home in Fort Wayne, upgrades can be a first step tons of people take. However doing too much, or upgrading items that don’t give much return can be a waste of time and money.
We have put together our list: of 3 upgrades to invest in and 3 to forget about.
3 Upgrades To Invest In:
Do: Paint
A new coat of paint can easily brighten up and revive a room. Try to stick with neutral colors and add in pops of color elsewhere, such as throw pillows or artwork. Painting is a relatively low-cost upgrade that can have a very large impact.
Plus a new coat of paint will cover and dings in the wall, nail holes, etc.This will help the buyer picture their own things on the walls, and it will attract more buyers.
Do: A Kitchen & Bath Face lift
You might have heard that an upgraded kitchen and bathroom are two of the more smart areas to focus on when upgrading your home. However, you can do some littler upgrades that will make a big impact without costing a fortune.
Fresh faucets, drawer handles and resurfacing your cabinets are some very affordable ways to make the space come alive. Some appliance manufacturers sell fresh and alternate colored face plates.
For example, swapping out the front of your dishwasher to match the other appliances is an amazing way to save money and tie things together. Make your house feel complete.
You can take the same principles to give your bathroom a quick makeover. Vinyl tiles can go on the floor, right over what you already have. Do a deep scrub of the grout, and re-grout if it’s really needed. These little things will make the house feel more fancy to the buyer, and it will make the house more appealing.
Fix any cracked tiles or broken hardware. (Wobbly towel racks, etc.) Another choice to contemplate to shower renovation is to install a pre-fab cover. This is much cheaper than doing a whole shower overhaul.
Do: Landscaping
Planting some flowers out front or covering dirt with a pretty, rapid spreading ground cover will give your home instant curb appeal. If needed, have trees and bushes trimmed and keep the lawn mowed nicely.
Depending on your climate, you can plant succulents or lay down nice rocks to keep the space well maintained, but low-maintenance. The curb appeal will make the buyer do a double take and want to see the inside. First impressions mean everything, as I’m sure you’ve heard, and this is super true in this case.
Maybe throw a new coat of paint on the mailbox or hang up a bird feeder and some hanging plants. Small touches and a well-groomed yard will draw any potential buyers in.
3 To Forget About:
Don’t: Finish The Basement
This can turn into a major project that can be both expensive and time-consuming. The numbers show you won’t end up getting back anywhere close to what you put into it.
Overall, most of the home buyers will want to fix up the space to their taste, so it won’t matter how much grueling work you put in. Maybe they want an open game room, or to add a couple of extra bedrooms. This all depends on the buyer, not you or your family.
When pricing the home, account for the unfinished space and let buyers know that is reflected in your pricing.
Don’t: Add a Patio, Deck or Pool
Again, this can be very pricey, without much return. If you have an open area, use plants or pavers to tidy up and beautify the space. If the new homeowners want to build a deck, they can do so, but with their tastes and specifications in mind. Your own tastes can make the buyer feel uncomfortable. The buyer needs space to envision their perfect home right in yours.
Adding a pool can cost a fortune, without providing a huge increase in what you will be able to ask for the home. In addition, a pool may actually deter buyers.
Prospective buyers with small children may worry about safety and many people might not even want to stress about the hassle and upkeep of maintaining their own pool. Even though a pool or patio might sound good, the better thing to do is stay away from them.
Don’t: Do A Major Renovation to The Kitchen or Bathrooms
Don’t waste your hard earned money with a complete overhaul unless it is absolutely necessary due to water or fire damage. The cost does not make sense, especially when home buyers will have their own tastes. Many homeowners would prefer a credit to the home price allowing them to upgrade on their terms.
In summary: Don’t over-improve, keep it simple!