Are Home Improvement Projects Valuable for Home Sellers?
by Lisa Duguay, ABR, SRES 10/30/2017
Are you getting ready to sell your home? Before you add your residence to the real estate market, you may want to consider completing various home improvement projects.
With home improvements, you'll be able to enhance the appearance and quality of your residence. Furthermore, home improvement projects can help you boost your home's value as well as increase your chances of starting a bidding war among prospective homebuyers who are vying for your house.
But are home improvement projects worth your time? Ultimately, there are several factors to consider before you embark on a home improvement project, including:
1. Cost
Home improvement projects can vary from simple touch-ups to massive overhauls. As such, the costs associated with these projects can range from minimal to excessive.
Develop a budget and assess your home's value prior to beginning home improvement projects. This will give you a better idea about how much it will cost to complete numerous repair and maintenance tasks, along with how these jobs can help improve the value of your residence.
It is important to note that cost always will be a consideration for homebuyers, too. As a result, you'll want to do whatever you can to ensure that homebuyers see your home as an attractive, cost-effective choice.
No homebuyer wants to purchase a "money pit," i.e. a home that will require lots of money to repair and maintain. But if you devote the necessary time and resources to complete essential home improvement tasks, you may be able to enhance your home's value and make it a viable option for a large group of prospective homebuyers.
2. Time
Home sellers surely want to find interested homebuyers as quickly as possible. Conversely, home improvement projects may require days, weeks or even months to complete. And in some cases, you might only be able to complete home improvement projects in warmer temperatures.
Consider the amount of time it will take you to fix problems across your home. Also, be sure to budget your time accordingly to ensure you are able to complete all of your home improvement tasks to the best of your ability consistently. This will ensure that you can avoid the temptation to take shortcuts and can work toward completing effective improvements without delay.
3. Curb Appeal
Maximizing your home's curb appeal, aka how it is viewed by prospective homebuyers when they see it for the first time, is crucial. And for home sellers who want to generate interest in their residences, completing home improvement projects can help enhance a home's curb appeal instantly.
Many homebuyers want high-quality homes that require minimal repairs, and home sellers who perform minor home improvements like replacing old siding or eliminating high grass and weeds on the front lawn can make their residences more attractive. These improvements will bolster a home's curb appeal and may increase a home seller's chances of a fast sale as well.
When it comes to selling your home, you should consider the value of home improvement projects. Finishing these tasks can make it easier to improve the appearance and quality of your house and make it more appealing to a broad range of homebuyers.