Many sellers want to upgrade their home before selling. This isn’t a bad idea, but not every home upgrade will increase the house’s value. In fact, some of the most expensive projects can end up hurting your resale value. Check to make sure your project is economically sound before starting it.
Extras sound appealing, but they’re not always something the buyer wants, or is willing to pay extra for. Expensive bathroom and lighting fixtures might look enticing to buyers, but they’re frequently more expensive to acquire than the increase in home value. It could get more people interested, but don’t expect to make a profit off of it. Similarly, buyers could get drawn in by a walk-in closet, but if you sacrificed an entire bedroom to get it, your home’s value actually went down. Even worse are high-maintenance extras that require significant upkeep, like sunrooms and koi ponds. They’re extremely expensive, and if the buyers don’t want it, not only will they not pay extra, but they will be turned off completely by the added maintenance.
If you do want to make changes like this, save it for your next house when you can actually make use of it yourself. When selling, simple and neutral are the real keys to success.
Many sellers completely remodel their kitchens before selling. This does typically increase value, but full kitchen remodels are also very expensive. Unless your cabinets are damaged and need to be replaced, you can usually achieve a profit by simply repainting the cabinets and swapping in clean modern handles and budget-friendly taps. Refreshing your curb appeal is a simple way to give a good impression, potentially without doing anything you wouldn’t normally do. Just mowing the lawn costs nothing and gets buyers interested. You can also set out potted plants or buy a new doormat.
Another important thing to consider is color and design choice. Neutrality is important here. Colorful statement walls and trendy tiles might express your personal flair, but most buyers just see a long list of redecorating chores. Instead, a fresh coat of warm neutrally colored paint instantly modernizes your space and lets buyers visualize their own furniture. Just don’t choose pure white; having everything completely white can make it feel clinical. Even though buyers likely will repaint regardless, a neutral color allows them to imagine themselves in the space.
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