Tips: Preparing Your Home for Market

By: Mallory Hardgrove, East + Ivy Staff Writer.

Thinking about prepping your home for sale can be stressful. Unanswered questions of "How long will my house be on the market?" or "Am I doing the right things?" Here are some general tips that we see with the highest return on investment, not only monetarily, but also increasing your sell-ability.

1. Updating your Kitchen:

If you think about this from the eyes of a buyer, older appliances come with a level of anxiety for many first and repeat home buyers. Yes, they may work for now, but upgrading your kitchen appliances can add peace of mind, immediate value to your home as well as contribute to the “move-in ready” factor. Something as simple and easy as replacing hardware on cabinets, too, can give your kitchen a fresh look for a minimal price tag. Adding a mosaic tile backsplash can make an impression on potential buyers as well. 

A potential color change may also be necessary. Soft blues and gray kitchens sell for more than other colors. Together, a few of these small changes can dramatically impact the value of your home without doing a complete renovation. With a 54% to 80% return on investment (ROI) though, remodeling your kitchen might be an option. Take a look at some of these numbers from HomeGuide: 

• 80% of the cost of a minor kitchen remodel-- it will increase your home’s resale value by approximately $17,000.

• 59% of the cost of a mid-range or major kitchen remodel-- it will increase your home’s resale value by approximately $38,000.

• 54% of the cost of an upscale or major kitchen remodel-- it will increase your home’s resale value by approximately $67,000. 

Kitchens are arguably the heart of the home, so while you may not have the time or money for a complete renovation, any money spent upgrading or improving your kitchen will go a long way with buyers.

2. Painting your Walls:

Arguably the easiest and least expensive thing you can do is paint your home. Think neutral colors: grays and whites are it right now-- especially for gathering spaces like living rooms-- although most designers agree that grey is “on the way out,” it is still being chosen by about fifty percent of sellers. For the last few years, realtors have been recommending painting the interiors of homes white, while listing charcoal gray as an “accent color that can boost value.”

You don’t want an off-putting color to turn-off potential buyers. Keeping everything consistent will add unity to your home and won’t distract your buyers. If you do have some color, think “cool”; blue garners the most bang for your buck. Blues have a calming effect, so bedrooms and bathrooms in the blue color spectrum are common; greens and blues are also popular for “small spaces”. Hiring a professional painter is an option if your budget allows, but interior painting is a relatively easy DIY activity as well. 

For the exterior of  your house, you want to hire the professionals and also consult a professional in your area for color suggestions. Neutrals are popular here as well, but the “architecture of the home is the biggest factor” when it comes to color trends. After architecture, regional preferences are deemed the second leading factor, so just see what is popular in your area. 

3. Upgrading your Flooring:

Replacing stained carpets is a no-brainer, but upgrading wood or laminate flooring can go a long way as well when it comes to the perception of your home. Buyers with children and/or pets will want something durable that doesn’t show wear and tear. Wood continues to impress and appeal to buyers and replacing flooring with wood yields a greater return on investment and could potentially equate to thousands more in your sale price.

Right now, faux or fake wood flooring is even more appealing: “wood look porcelain tiles” and “waterproof vinyl” that looks like wood are trending. Typically, these laminate wood flooring options are easy to install yourself, less expensive in price, and they achieve the same effect on buyers. If you opt for the real thing, however, you should also plan to have your floors professionally redone, as it is a more difficult task. Either way, this upgrade will leave your new owners floored! (Pun intended.)

4. Landscaping and Adding Curb Appeal:

It may seem obvious, but the first impression of your home will be based on its exterior. Having some curb appeal-- a well-manicured lawn, flower beds, shrubbery-- has an immediate impact on buyers. Aerating flower beds, planting some perennials, and adding mulch can win the appearance test for a relatively low investment. 

Other upgrades you may not have considered include replacing your mailbox, address numbers, or just repainting your front door-- especially the trim and areas with more wear. Renting a pressure-washer for the afternoon or hiring someone to clean off dirt and debris is just as important as cleaning the inside of your home. Buying a new doormat, replacing light fixtures, and creating a new seating area on your porch-- if you have one-- can make it feel more welcoming. And that’s what it’s all about, right? There are a bunch of little things you can do to give your exterior a face-lift. 

5. Staging:

Lucky for you, East + Ivy is the bee’s knees when it comes to home staging! Be on the look-out for a separate blog post about staging (because it’s just that important), but trust us that it makes a pivotal impact on buyers. 

“A staged home dramatically increases your home to sell at or above listing price and quicker,” explained Nicole Canole. “An E+I staged home has an average of eleven days on the market. Staging allows the buyer to mentally unpack and emotionally connect with the space.” 

By decluttering your home, taking down your own personal effects, and getting the experts to redesign and decorate your space, you’re making crucial first impressions that will allow your buyers to picture themselves in your house. And that’s the whole goal of selling, isn’t it?

These are just a handful of general ideas to help your house sell. No matter the area or the house, talk through potential improvements with your real estate agent and get their opinion as well. His or her expertise may help you narrow down which improvements are most essential and possibly desired for your particular area and audience.