Last Updated on November 13, 2024
According to a recent report, nearly 65% of all sellers who listed their home recently did at least two projects to help present their home in the best possible light before they sold. While not every project yields a significant return when you sell, there are several projects that make financial sense and practically pay for themselves at the closing table.
Before we reveal the list of the best projects to tackle before you sell, it’s imperative that you understand that this is a general list, pulled together using national data. After you take in this list, the next order of business should be to seek out a knowledgeable realtor in your area who can speak to the exact items you should consider improving in order to maximize the sale of your home.
Now that you understand that caveat, here are the most common improvements sellers make before putting their home on the market.
Fresh paint
If you’re selling your home in the future, you can bet paint cans will be involved. Buyers are looking for a fresh, neutral canvas to envision their new lives in your home. The best thing you can do is to repaint all walls in pale neutral paint colors. Cool gray paint colors were trending years ago, but buyers today crave warmer spaces. Stick to warmer neutrals like Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan, Edgecomb Gray, or Classic Gray.
If it’s been some time since you’ve touched up your trim or it looks dingy, it’s also wise to repaint trim so it looks clean and crisp.
While you’re at it, you may have to show your exterior some love in the form of a more modern paint color. Curb appeal enhancements are especially important when selling, so if your home needs a fresh or updated coat of paint, don’t overlook this investment.
If your exterior has seen better days and even the most current color can’t fix it, it might be time to replace your siding. The latest Cost vs. Value report lists this investment as a great value, and homeowners can expect to recoup between 88 and 94% of their costs.
Curb appeal enhancements
The goal with the right curb appeal is to welcome buyers into your home. It’s hard mentally for buyers to overcome a poor first impression and for that reason, outdoor/curb appeal enhancements are often at the top of sellers’ to-do lists. Here are the best improvements to make based on return on investment:
- Siding replacement
- Garage door replacement
- Painting your front door
- Entry door replacement (steel)
Besides these big-ticket items, in a recent survey by Zillow, investing in landscaping was at the top of most sellers’ lists. Ranging in cost between $500-$3000, if you’re up for putting in some sweat equity here, you can save big time.
What about a new roof? How does that measure up in terms of ROI? Unfortunately, replacing a roof at the end of its useful life is not something that necessarily increases your home value, as this is something buyers expect to be in good condition. Keep in mind that a roof in serious need of TLC will be flagged on an inspection report and may give buyers reason for concern.
New lighting
Now here’s a task you can easily pull off in a weekend: behold the power of the right lighting! About a third of sellers seriously improve the lighting in their home before listing. What’s more, a recent report showed that updating lights to LED lighting is associated with a 1.5% selling premium.
While we’re on the topic of lighting, don’t underestimate the power of lamps! Lamps create a cozy environment that simply cannot be recreated with overhead light. If you lack a good amount of lamps in each living space (ideally at least 3, but the more, the merrier) it’s time to hit up Home Goods or Target to invest in some ambiance!
Bathroom updates
Many sellers think they have to take outdated bathrooms down to the studs before putting their home on the market, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Minor bathroom updates are where sellers see the most return on their investment. Things like replacing dated light fixtures, adding in framed mirrors, replacing tired knobs/pulls and plumbing fixtures and reglazing a worn-out tub are all worthwhile investments.
Minor kitchen updates
Spending the cash to invest in your kitchen’s appearance just got easier, as the most recent Cost vs. Value report states a minor kitchen remodel typically yields over 96% when it comes time to sell. Costing an average of $26,000, a minor kitchen remodel includes:
- New shaker-style door and drawer fronts
- New hardware
- New appliances
- New sink/faucet
- RVP flooring
- New countertops/backsplash
As with all big-ticket investments you make before you sell, it’s best to talk with your realtor before you begin any large-scale projects. Seek out a realtor with local expertise—you want an expert knowledgeable in your local area who has a pulse on which projects are worth doing for your home’s price point.
If you’re seriously considering selling your home soon, we recommend a home physical! Whether you’re planning on selling soon or staying in your home for years to come, a home physical can help you save money in the long run by helping you make smart decisions when remodeling or repairing your home as it ages. If you’re ready to receive a full “checkup” on your home, the real estate experts at Allen Tate are here to help. Fill out this form to get started today!
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Allen Tate is the Carolinas’ largest real estate company with more than 70 offices and 1,800 Realtors in the Charlotte, Triad, Triangle, High Country, Upstate SC, Highlands/Cashiers and Asheville/Mountain regions. Allen Tate is a partner of Howard Hanna Real Estate, the largest privately held real estate broker in the U.S., with 500 real estate, mortgage, insurance, title, and escrow service offices and 15,000 sales associates and staff across 13 states. For more information, visit www.allentate.com and www.howardhanna.com.
