10 Proven "DIY" Ways To Increase The Value Of Your Home
Are you thinking about selling your home, or are in the process of doing so? If so, there’s probably a mix of excitement and anxiety going through your mind. Selling a home can be a complex and emotional process.
You are, after all liquidating the biggest asset most people would ever own, and you want to sell it as quickly as possible and for the highest possible price.
So what can you do to make sure you attract as many potential buyers as possible, and increase your chances of making as much money as possible from the sale of your home?
1. Clean & Remove Clutter
(Photo: Austin & The Coast Luxury Living Team - - > Under Contract for $8.7 Million - 158 Key Heights Dr, Tavernier, FL)
#1 on the list is cleaning and removing all clutter from the home. Buyers appreciate a clean & spotless home, especially in 2021. There is a reason why new build model homes & ikea display models sell. They allow the buyer to imagine themselves living in the space. The more clean & minimal the area is, the more the buyer can picture themselves in that space.
As you can see in the photo above, their are no extra items laying around. Everything is clean & decluttered. This is will increase the value of your home and make your home stand out amongst the other inventory in your area.
2. Painting
The easiest and fastest way to increase the value of your home is by applying a fresh coat of paint. I can not stress this enough.
I have seen it time after time. A bright purple room or different colored room themes can be off putting to potential buyers. You want to use paints that have neutral tones and blend nicely with white baseboards. It may sound boring but you will be appealing to a wide range of buyers. You want the opportunity to provide a potential buyer with a blank canvas so that if they purchase the home, they can design it the way they want to.
Back to the new build model home example, they all have neutral paint colors. The builders do this because they want to attract all buyers and let them paint the home the way they want after they purchase it.
3. Update Light Fixtures
(Photo: Austin & The Coast Luxury Living Team - - > Sold For $797,000 - 11150 Harbour Yacht Ct #C, Fort Meyers, Fl)
Updating a room with a new fixture can brightening the room and add tremendous value. A functional and modern light fixture can also change the vibe of the room.
An outdated and loud fan or an old dusty light fixture can create an eyesore in the room. Light fixtures and ceiling fans are one of the first items buyers will notice when they walk into a room. Make your home more enjoyable and modern by replacing your old fans & light fixtures.
4. Curb Appeal & Landscaping
(Photo: Austin & The Coast Luxury Living Team - - > Sold for $680,000 - 10279 Porto Romano Drive, Miromar Lakes, FL)
Curb appeal & landscaping is extremely important to make your home stand out in your neighborhood. I have worked with buyers who have decided not to view the inside of the home based on the exterior curb appeal of the property.
Now, I am not saying you need to plant a whole new row of plants or add a hedge wall. I would recommend a clean drive way, clean garage door and windows and a neatly mowed lawn. If it's in your budget, I would suggest adding mulch or a nice form of rocks around walk ways. It gives buyers something to admire and be impressed with prior to walking into the home.
5. Bathroom Upgrades & Updates
(Photo: Austin & The Coast Luxury Living Team - - > Sold for $1.575 Million - 13455 Collier Blvd, Naples, FL)
Kitchen's and bathroom's are the most popular and most effective rooms to renovate in order to increase value in your home. The only problem is, renovation's can be expensive and timely to complete. Fortunately for you, you are reading this guide on how to update your bathroom without breaking the bank!
Modest kitchen or bath updates can create an average return of 80 - 85%! You can simply update your bathroom by painting it a new color, updating mirrors and adding new light fixtures. If you have a bigger budget, you can purchase pre-built vanities from stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, Costco & Sam's club. It is a terrific way to add a "Renovated" bathroom feel without spending thousands of dollars.
6. Give Your Kitchen An Updated Look
(Photo: Austin & The Coast Luxury Living Team - - > Sold for $680,000 - 10279 Porto Romano Drive, Miromar Lakes, FL)
As mentioned before, Kitchen and Bathroom updates provide the biggest return when looking to increase the value of your home. For many buyers, the kitchen is one of the biggest deciding factors when looking to purchase a home.
The trick is to maximize the space as much as possible. As you can see in the photo, you can clear off all of the counter tops to show more space. To increase the functionality of the kitchen, you can add in barstools if your kitchen has the space for it. The kitchen is another space where an updated light fixture can make a big difference.
Light kitchen update: Repaint the cabinets if possible, & update hardware on the cabinets and other areas of the kitchen.
Moderate kitchen update: Add a granite counter top. Repaint the cabinets if possible, & update hardware on the cabinets and other areas of the kitchen.
7. Upgrade Exterior Doors
Updating your exterior doors goes hand in hand with increasing the value of your home through curb appeal. When a buyer visits a property, the front door is going to be one of the first items that they notice. It is important to leave a great first impression with your front door.
A simple paint job or a staining of the front door with updated hardware can drastically increase the curb appeal and value of your home.
A garage door has the same impact with first impressions. Simply make sure that the garage door is washed and cleaned to accent the curb appeal of the rest of the home.
8. Stage Your Home or Rearrange Furniture
(Photo: Austin & The Coast Luxury Living Team - - > Under Contract for $8.7 Million - 158 Key Heights Dr, Tavernier, FL)
Statistics show that a home that is staged sells 80% faster for 20% more. Staging can be expensive and a big investment for a home owner who is looking to sell their home.
Using an interior designer and staging a home is an extremely powerful tool. The interior designer strategically places furniture to highlight a homes premium features. Premium features include waterfront views, pools, open floor plans, big kitchens, etc.
When a seller decides to work with me, I provide complimentary staging and interior designer services so my client doesn't have to make that investment or pay that expense. I love to invest in my clients properties just as much as they are investing in me.
There are alternatives to using an interior designer or staging services. You can rearrange your furniture to create more open space throughout the home and spotlight the premium features I mentioned.
9. Pressure Washing
(Photo: Austin & The Coast Luxury Living Team - - > Sold for $680,000 - 10279 Porto Romano Drive, Miromar Lakes, FL)
I don't see a lot of realtors talking about the benefits of pressure washing. Most people have a pressure washer or know someone with a pressure washer. All you need to do is hook it up to your house and start spraying!
When you purchase a car, wouldn't you prefer that it is washed and cleaned rather than being dirty?
A clean driveway and clean exterior shows buyers that you take care of your home which will in return be more likely to attract buyers. In Florida, the vast majority of homes have pools. Back yard pools are a huge premium feature that drastically increases the value of a home. On that note, simply pressure washing the concrete around the pool can make the area stand out and become a strong selling point.
10. Use Light To Your Advantage
(Photo: Austin & The Coast Luxury Living Team - - > Sold For $797,000 - 11150 Harbour Yacht Ct #C, Fort Meyers, Fl)
Lastly, let's talk about lighting. Adding lighting throughout the home is a fantastic and inexpensive way to increase the value of your home. There are 2 strategies to adding more light in your home.
#1 - Utilize all windows and forms of natural light. The photo above is of a condo my team and I sold. As you can see in the photo, we made sure to keep the whole area open and let the natural light in.
#2 - Add items that provide light in dark areas of your home that doesn't produce natural light. Lamps, light fixtures and candles work great.
In Conclusion
By using the strategies mentioned in this guide, you can increase the value of your home which will help sell your home faster, and by extension, at the highest possible price. But as always, the best possible strategy you can follow is to hire the best agent for the job.
A real estate agent can guide you through the entire real estate process, help you avoid common costly mistakes, and negotiate the best possible price. And if you pick an agent that specializes in your type of property and a proven track record, your agent will already be very familiar with the most effective marketing strategies that work in your area of service.
I have put together these 10 proven steps because I have implemented them with my clients and have witnessed the results first hand.
I have helped my clients save money on updates, staging, design & marketing and helped them receive top dollar for their home.
If you are interested in discussing my listing strategies, please contact me directly through the chat icon in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Austin Marks
The Coast Luxury Living
813.596.8871