Improving Your Home Before Putting it on the Market Can Be Very Profitable

We get so used to our homes that we can stop seeing all the things other people might notice about it. The faded paint on the picket fence, for example. These can be small things, but they get noticed by prospective new buyers of the home you put up for sale. It can be a costly mistake to think "leave those jobs to the people we sell our home to". An existing problem with the house can be a bargaining chip for the buyer - they can list all the issues that need addressing, and you can bet they will be estimate the costs based on some upper-end ballpark figure. Whereas, imagine if you already addressed those issues! They now become selling points, not drawbacks. You can create a list of recently-done jobs on the property. This will give a good impression on the prospective buyer. They can see it as a time saver and money saver, while you have more bargaining power to sell at the asking price (not often easy to do, but easier when you can boast all these improvements).

So what kind of improvements are we talking about here? Relatively small ones. This article isn't about adding a new extension or conservatory to your home. It's much smaller things that shouldn't cost much at all to do, but can make a big difference.

Paint and/or Maintain Your Fence
Your front garden fence is the first thing a prospective buyer will see. Ensure it's looking as good as new via a fresh coat of paint, or varnished if appropriate.

Tidy Up Your Garden
Moving on fronm the fence, ensure the garden is tidy, the grass cut, the flowers all attended to.

Declutter Your House
Have you always planned to declutter your house? If so, the very idea of putting your property on the market should be the reason to declutter your house (before you put it on the market). A house with less items in it looks far more spacious, and it affords the house hunter the opportunity to imagine what the property could look like with their furnishings in it.

How Clean are the Walls?
The problem with decluttering is it often shows more of your walls - and sometimes it can reveal stains and markings. Ensure your walls look a consistent colour via cleaning, or perhaps even repainting if necessary.

Clean the Carpets
Get your carpets looking new again by hiring professionals to get them thoroughly cleaned.

Get Rid of Any Bad Smells
A bad smell can be a dealbreaker even if you get everything else right. If you own a pet dog, ensure each room has "dog smell" eliminated from it. Scented candles can provide a pleasent smell.

Let in as Much Natural Light as Possible


Article kindly provided by fenceelpaso.com

User Anecdotes

We've solicited a number of user anecdotes on this topic, and have hand picked some of the more interesting ones below. We feel that anecdotes can give a practical, human perspective on a topic.

"I wholeheartedly agree that improving your home before putting it on the market can greatly increase its value. In my own experience, I decided to invest in some minor home improvements before listing my property for sale. I was pleasantly surprised by the results. I repainted the walls, replaced old fixtures, and updated the landscaping. Not only did these changes make my home more attractive to potential buyers, but I also received multiple offers and ended up selling my house for well above the original asking price. I truly believe that the time and money spent on these improvements paid off in the end."
David G.

"As a real estate agent, I have personally witnessed the benefits of making improvements to a home before putting it on the market. I recently worked with a client who made some strategic updates to their property prior to listing. They focused on cosmetic enhancements, such as painting, new flooring, and updated light fixtures, as well as some functional improvements like updating the HVAC system. The result was a significant increase in interest from potential buyers, and ultimately, a higher sale price for the homeowners. It just goes to show that a little investment upfront can yield significant returns in the end."
Amandine R.

"In my own experiance, I had been hesitant to spend the money on home improvements before listing my property, but I decided to take the plunge after consulting with friends and family. One of the best investments I made was updating my kitchen and bathrooms. I replaced outdated appliances, countertops, and cabinets, and the difference was remarkable. Not only did these updates make my home more modern and appealing to buyers, but they also increased its overall value. When I finally put my house on the market, it sold quickly and for a higher price than I had originally anticipated. The money I spent on renovations was recouped in the sale, and I truly believe that the improvements made all the difference."
Yuki S.

"I can personally attest to the benefits of making improvements to your home before putting it on the market. My husband and I recently sold our home and invested in some upgrades prior to listing. We focused on exterior improvements, such as a new roof and fresh coat of paint, as well as some interior updates like new carpeting and updated lighting fixtures. Not only did these changes make our home more attractive to potential buyers, but we also received multiple offers and sold our home for well above the original asking price. The time and money we spent on these improvements were well worth it, and we both believe that it played a significant role in the success of our sale."
Rebecca M.

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