Top 5 Low-Cost Home Improvements That Help Sell Your Home

When you’re getting ready to sell your home, you may wonder if it will sell and if you will get your asking price. Low-cost improvements are easy to carry out, some you can even do on your own. Taken as a package, there is a good chance you will sell fast and make a profit while doing it. According to the Houzz Home Report, people spent an average of $15,000 and as much as $25,000 on home improvements in 2018. Some of these are typical updates such as electrical and plumbing, and rooms in the home.

Below are the top 5 low-cost home improvements in no particular order that add the most value to your home.

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Painting

Putting a fresh coat of paint is the easiest and lowest cost improvement you can do. Choose neutral tones that a prospective buyer can view as a blank canvas for their own inspiration. You can hire a professional to help you with colors that compliment cabinets and flooring.  The national average on a 2,300 square foot home, according to Fixr.com, is $6,900. The exterior runs an average of $3,500. If money is tight and you’re good with a brush, consider this a DIY project.

Landscape for Curb Appeal

As they say, first impressions are everything. The outside of your house is the first thing a potential buyer will see. Keep in mind the area your home is in and plant accordingly. A few shrubs and splashes of colorful perennials will give your home an inviting feel. Professional landscapers, according to Fixr, can range between $1,500 upwards to $13,000 depending on the job and if tree removal is in the mix. DIY and save. Clean up dead and overgrown plants, mow the lawn, add potted plants, and clean out the gutters. All it takes is a little time and labor to get that selling curb appeal.

Flooring

Replacing flooring is a good investment, according to Homelight, and wood floors are the number one seller. It gives a cohesive feel to the home, offering a warm yet modern feel. Costs can range from $10 a square foot for faux wood and bamboo to $30 a square foot for real and reclaimed wood. While flooring is probably one of the higher costs of the improvements, but it brings a 100% return on investment. If your budget doesn’t allow for flooring, then have your carpet professionally cleaned and or your hardwood floors refinished.

Bathroom and Kitchen Update

This is where reining it in and keeping it clean and simple pays off. A mid-range bathroom and kitchen update can really sell a house. Put in new sinks, toilets, and countertops. Add new tiling to floors and walls. If new cabinets are too much, try painting them and adding new hardware to give older styles a modern look. Minimal clean looks are best for both. New appliances that are energy efficient are a plus. Clean or re-fresh the grout which you can DIY or hire someone to do. Giving the right update to the kitchen and bath can increase the value of your home.

Update Lighting Fixtures

Lighting makes a great impression. Think of all the museums and art galleries that rely on lighting to sell and enhance artworks. Replacing lighting throughout your house is a small investment with plenty of impact. Replace outdated fixtures and keep in mind that consistency is king. Keep the tones in the same family, such as chrome and brushed nickel. Chandlers and pendant lights can be expensive, but check out places like Ikea, Target, or home improvement stores that allow you to DIY. You can install fixtures yourself, but it’s best to have a professional electrician’s help where wires pose an issue.

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In the end, keep your focus on upgrades that will add charm and character and forego big projects that risk a poor ROI and devote resources to simple changes that add the best resale value. Scope out the local competition to see what they are doing and always consult your real estate agent before making any major home improvements.