Do your 2023 resolutions include selling your home? If so, it’s time to start getting your house ready!
Unless your target audience includes DIY-ers looking for a fixer upper, most buyers aren’t looking for a home in need of a lot of work. A well-maintained, updated home will spend less time on the market, lead to smoother negotiations, and increase the likelihood of receiving full asking price.
Here are five ways you can improve the resale value of your home and get a full-price offer in 2023.
1. Repair the roof.
As one of the most expensive repairs a homeowner can take on, many buyers won’t even consider a house in need of a roof replacement. But a house with a new or recently repaired roof will quickly move to the top of a buyer’s list.
Not only does a new roof update the appearance of a house, but it also adds considerable value to your home. According to Remodeling magazine’s 2022 Cost vs. Value report, a roof replacement can add an average of $18,870 in resale value to your home, depending on the size of your roof and the materials used. Schedule a roof inspection with a roofing contractor, and make any suggested repairs or replacements before listing your home.
2. Service the HVAC.
Another big-ticket item that house hunters inspect is a home’s HVAC unit. Buyers, and eventually a home inspector, will ask about and examine your home’s AC system to determine its brand, age and efficiency, as well as look for any obvious issues.
Before listing your home, schedule a maintenance visit with a certified HVAC technician, who will inspect, clean and repair your unit as needed. Supplying home inspectors and buyers with up-to-date maintenance records will provide reassurance that the unit is in good working order with years of life remaining. If it’s time to replace your unit, do so before listing your home to avoid complicated negotiations and delayed closing.
3. Update the kitchen or bathroom.
As the two most frequently used rooms in a home, kitchens and bathrooms get a lot of attention from buyers – for better or worse. Normal wear and tear are to be expected in these two rooms, but obvious signs of neglect won’t be overlooked.
Buyers aren’t necessarily looking for magazine ready kitchens and baths (though they won’t complain if your home is picture-perfect), but clean, well-maintained rooms. Touch up the paint on your walls and trim, and remove any buildup or staining from tile, fixtures, and appliances. Consider installing new lighting, faucets, or cabinet hardware, which can all add a lot of bang for just a few bucks. If you have the budget for a renovation, a general contractor can help you update cabinets, countertops and more, even changing the footprint of the room if necessary.
4. Freshen up curb appeal.
Take a look at your home from the street. Are the shrubs overgrown or weeds in the flowerbeds? Does the trim need to be painted or the windows cleaned? Are the gutters full of leaves or the roof streaked with algae?
All of these home maintenance tasks affect your home’s curb appeal, or how your attractive your home looks from the street. Clean up or replace landscaping as needed, especially in the fall or during hurricane season when yard debris is more common. Freshen up your house with paint, pressure wash the sidewalk, wash the windows, and have the roof cleaned. Your goal is to entice buyers to come inside just by looking at the outside.
5. Add some “wow” factor.
Between online house hunting and in-person showings, buyers look at a lot of houses. What can you do to make them say “wow” and remember yours?
This can be something as simple as a painted accent wall or interesting wallpaper, all the way up to an in-home theater with surround sound. Add a smart thermostat to seamlessly adjust temperature settings or new appliances in the kitchen. Install cabinets or shelves in the garage or a firepit in the backyard. Your upgrades don’t need to blow your budget; they just need to set your house apart from the rest.
DDI will get your house ready to sell!
Whether you need roofing repairs, HVAC inspection, or home renovations, our crew can handle it all. Our team has decades of experience in general construction and HVAC maintenance and will work with you to prepare your home for the housing market. Call us today to start planning!