Will you be looking for a house or apartment this year? Although it can be tricky to know what to look for and who to work with, choosing the right home is easy if you get a few essentials down before you start the search. For instance, working with a real estate agent is always a better idea than going at it alone, since it can significantly shorten your search, and help you to pay less for any potential property. On this website, check out great tips for how to work with a realtor, and what you need to do in order to simplify your life.
Not all home sellers are ready to put a lot of money into upgrades. Renovations, even if they pay off in higher sales prices, can be very expensive. That doesn't mean there is nothing sellers on a budget can do to make their homes more attractive to buyers, though. You no longer need to have a sign over your head saying, "I need to sell my house." With these enhancements, you'll have your house sold in no time.
Consider Colors
Paint can be transforming and it's a cheap and fast way to upgrade your home's interior spaces. Most people can handle an interior job of painting but consider hiring a professional if you have little to no experience painting. When it comes to colors, go neutral all the way throughout your home. Neutrals like cream, light grey, very pale mint green, etc. allow buyers to more easily see their furnishings in a room. Be aware that if you've painted a room a deep, rich shade like navy or wine, you will need to apply a primer to ensure the dark shade completely disappears under lighter shades of paint. If your rooms are already neutral-colored, look at the trim and consider giving it a fresh coat of white (or off- white). Trim includes moldings, cornices, and windowsills.
Show Some Energy Efficiency
You can spend big money on things like energy-efficient windows but there are several low-cost ways to catch buyers who want to buy green without spending a lot of money. Consider these ideas:
- Swap out your toilets for low flow models. You can find low-flow toilets for less than $100 in most cases.
- Replace your thermostat with a programmable model. These smart devices can even communicate with your (and your buyer's) devices allowing you to turn the heating and cooling off, on, or adjust the temperature. You can even program them to turn on before you arrive home for the day, allowing you to save money during the day and still be comfortable once home.
- Consider energy-efficient appliances. Look for the Energy Star symbol if your dishwasher, hot water heater, or refrigerator needs updating.
Upgrade Fixtures
You might be surprised at how inexpensively and easily a few modern touches can freshen up your home. Fixtures like faucets and drawer and cabinet pulls can be changed out along with smaller light fixtures. Brushed nickel is hot right now but also consider bronze or stainless for a new look. Pay special attention to the light fixture beside your front door since your buyer probably will too.
To get more inexpensive and quick updating ideas, speak to your real estate agent.