Renovate, Replace or Refurbish To Sell?

What to do? You want to sell your home but you know there are things that could be updated. Doing renovations that you can enjoy for 20 or 30 years is easily justified in your mind. Renovating to sell in the near future for someone else to enjoy is quite another thing. So how do you know what to renovate, what to spruce up and what to leave alone?

best antivirus software 2013

You can start by walking around your home and look at it as you would if you were seeing the home as a potential buyer. Start at the driveway or curb. Is the outside inviting and well kept? Are the shrubs and trees trimmed? Is there any peeling paint on a porch or windowsills? Is the siding in need of power-washing? According to CNN Money, you have 30 seconds to impress a potential buyer, so it better start as soon as they pull up to the home. If seasonally appropriate, plant some colorful flowers. All of these items cost a minimal amount and make a great impact. If the outside isn’t well kept, buyers will wonder what issues are on the inside.

Once you step inside, is each room inviting and is there a defined purpose? Are the rooms cluttered with furniture and personal “stuff”? Your best bet? Clean up and clean out. You’re planning on moving anyway, so get rid of junk, box up personal items for the move, de-clutter closets, counters and floors in all rooms. Clutter gives the impression that the home doesn’t have enough storage space, definitely not something you want to convey. If you’re using the garage or basement as your storage, move it to a storage unit. Buyers cannot see past your clutter. Also, a fresh coat of a neutral paint color never hurt any home sale, the key phrase being “neutral color”. A little girls’ room that is hot pink is great for you, but for a buyer with no kids or 2 little boys, it’s just work for them.

What about the high dollar issues? Knowing that your kitchen or baths may be somewhat outdated does not mean you should do a complete reno on them. The first key rule is: Do not spend more than you can get back in the sale. Whatever the area of the house, keep these tips on renovating before the sale in mind:

• Kitchen and Bathrooms, Remodel Priority #1 – IF you’re going to do a big expense, put your money into kitchen and bathrooms (especially the master bath) over any other rooms.

• Refurbish Rather Than Replace – Have hardwood floors that have seen better days? Having them refinished is the better choice. Fireplace hearth stained? It can be cleaned.
• 
  
• Go For Appearance, Not Function – Spend money on “appearance” items. Money spent on paint is wiser than spending money on a dated, yet still functional water heater.
• 
  
• Get Rid of Quirky Items – You may like wall-to-wall carpeting in bathrooms. Most home buyers do not. Swinging saloon doors going into the kitchen? Get rid of them.
• 
  
• Flooring – Generally speaking, most home buyers these days do not like wall-to-wall carpeting throughout the house. Laminate flooring would be a minimum type of flooring that you should use, though home buyers also have come to recognize laminate as another unwanted material. Offering a flooring allowance in the sale may be a better option than trying to guess what a buyer might like. But make sure the current flooring is looking its best.

And what should you avoid? Don’t try to add more square footage or custom rooms. Media rooms, theaters, attic remodels, converting a garage into a living room or bedroom: these things do not give you any good return on your investment.

Bottom line? Be smart and spend your pre-sale dollars wisely. Remember, you have 30 seconds to make that first impression. So keep it simple and make your home smile!