7 'little' upgrades that can mean a lot to homebuyers

Anyone who's ever bought or sold a home knows how even little things can sway a buyer to feel a particular house is "just right." While major features such as a good location, a big kitchen, and a certain number of bedrooms and bathrooms all drive a home's price and how attractive it is to buyers, small details like fresh paint and new faucets can also help clinch a sale.

When you're trying to sell your home, you should be willing to spend some money on repairs and improvements to help boost the sale price. The good news is that you don't have to spend a lot to make a big impact if you invest in key quality details. Here are seven "little things" you can do to help make your home more appealing to buyers, and possibly get a better price - and you can accomplish them in just a weekend: r 6QHSBEF ZPVS LJUDIFO GBVDFU BOE TJOL 5IF kitchen faucet and sink aren't just practical tools every kitchen needs - they can also be essential elements of a room's overall design and appeal. Replacing a dated kitchen faucet is a minor change that can mean a lot to homebuyers. Choose a pull-down, multi-function option like the American Standard Edgewater semi-professional kitchen faucet with SelectFlo technology. In addition to modern styling, you'll get four spray functions and a convenient pause feature, the ability to set a preferred water temperature without re-adjusting the handle, and a water-conserving maximum flow rate of just 1.5 gallons per minute. Pair it with an Edgewater double bowl stainless steel kitchen sink, and you've created a new focal point of design, efficiency and utility sure to catch buyers' eyes. r *OTUBMM B QSPHSBNNBCMF UIFSNPTUBU *G ZPVS home's thermostat predates Facebook, it's probably time to ditch the dial and install a touchpad programmable thermostat. Not only would a new thermostat help your home look more modern, a programmable thermostat helps with energy efficiency something that's very important to today's IPNFCVZFST 5IF 6 4 %FQBSUNFOU PG Energy says reducing your thermostat setting by just 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day can save you as much as 10 percent annually on energy bills. A programmable thermostat automates the savings for you! r 3FQMBDF JODBOEFTDFOU MJHIU CVMCT *G ZPVS home still has traditional lightbulbs, replacJOH UIFN XJUI FOFSHZ TBWJOH -&%T PS $'-T is an easy way to improve your home's overall energy efficiency. These bulbs use 25-80 percent less energy than conventional bulbs and last three to 25 times longer, BDDPSEJOH UP UIF %FQBSUNFOU PG &OFSHZ Imagine the appeal for homebuyers when your selling agent mentions that light bulbs won't need replacing for years after moving in! r 6QHSBEF UIF GSPOU EPPS :PVS IPNFhT entrance is the feature that officially welcomes potential buyers into your humble abode. Replacing an old, weathered front door with a new one creates a positive first impression. What's more, installing a steel entry door returns 90 percent of its value at the time of resale, according to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report. r 1VU B XBUFS FGGJDJFOU GBVDFU JO UIF CBUISPPN - A great deal of water can be wasted in the bathroom, and the faucet can be one of the biggest culprits. Replacing an older bathroom faucet with a modern water-conserving option like one from the Townsend bathroom sink faucet collection is not only visually appealing for buyers, it also speaks to their sense of environmental responsibility. What's more, upgrading to a faucet with handles, instead of a knob-style operation, allows for easier functionality for people with varying degrees of dexterity, from small children to senior citizens. r "EE B XBUFS GJMUSBUJPO TZTUFN JO UIF LJUDIFO - Americans are more aware than ever of the quality of water inside their homes, so adding a filtration system can be an extra feature that appeals to homebuyers. Simple under-sink filtration systems can cost as little as a couple hundred dollars. r *OTUBMM B TVO UVCF 8IP EPFTOhU XBOU B home filled with natural light? Not only does sunlight deliver physical and mental health benefits, using natural light can also help reduce dependence on artificial light sources that impact your energy bills. Sun tubes can bring natural light into dark spaces, even those on the ground floor. %*:FST DBO JOTUBMM UIJT TQFDJBM SFGMFDUJWF tubing for under $500, while pro installation can run closer to $1,000.

When you're selling a house, every little bit helps, and upgrading small details can make a big difference in how potential buyers view your home. Go ahead, make these upgrades now, and see potentially higher gains in the sale of your home. (BP)