In order to get the best price for your home when you're ready to sell it, you'll want to make sure that it's in the best shape possible. If you're like so many busy homeowners, you've put off making updates and taking care of those little repairs, you'll want to make sure you get caught up on them.
4 Must-Do Home Improvements
Whether you have limited time, money or both, the following five home improvements are those that take the least amount of time and effort while giving you the most in terms of value.
1. Landscape
Because your yard is the first thing a potential buyer sees when they arrive, it's not surprising that you'll want to devote some time and effort to the landscaping. If your yard is patchy, add some grass seed. Mow and weed eat it to give the yard a neat and maintained look.
You can also plant a few perennials and shrubs to provide a fresh burst of color and greenery. While you can hire a professional landscaping company if you don't have the time, it will be more cost-effective to do it yourself.
2. Paint
According to Zillow's Finding Home in America, the company's report on consumer housing trends from 2018, painting is a home improvement that 36 percent of home sellers decide to do before putting their home on the market. Not only is a fresh coat of neutral paint economical, but it can also provide potential home buyers with a blank slate to build their homeownership dreams.
Professional painting could cost up to several thousand dollars. If you have the time and are handy, it's a job that can be made more affordable by purchasing paint by the five-gallon bucket instead of a gallon can.
3. Floors
When most potential home buyers step inside your home, their eyes are focused on the rooms and walls in front of them. This is one reason why a fresh coat of paint is so important in making a good first impression.
It won't be long, though, before their eyes drift downward as they take in everything about your home. Whether you choose to replace the carpeting throughout your home or you want to invest in wood flooring for it all, make sure you choose a neutral color.
If you choose to have a professional take care of the flooring, expect to pay up to $30 per square foot for real wood flooring, $12 per square foot for faux wood and carpeting. You can do the job yourself most economically by looking for discontinued styles that are marked down.
4. Bathroom
If your bathroom is in need of an update or it looks dated, now is a good time to add a few key improvements. Replace the countertop with natural stone, add new tub and sink fixtures, and opt for new cabinets. You can also spring for new tiling and frameless glass doors.
Expect to spend up to $12,000 on a mid-range bathroom remodel. Of course, you can also go the DIY route and save money if you have the time and knowledge to do so.
The four home improvement projects should be the minimum that you aim to complete or update before you put your home on the market. They are the ones that tend to add greater value to your home for the price.
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