BOOST YOUR HOME’S VALUE fast!
FOCUS ON THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT REALLY PAY OFF WHEN SELLING UP
Thinking of selling, downsizing or maybe aiming for a sea change? You’re going to want to get the most you can when selling your property – and the good news is there are ways to add value so you gain thousands. You just need to be strategic in choosing where to put your energy when it comes to home improvements. Here are some low-cost projects to consider before listing on the market.
MODERNISE WITH PAINT
We all know adding a lick of paint can make a huge difference at minimal cost, but it can be hard to know what shades to choose. Dulux colour expert Andrea Lucena-orr recommends autumn palettes in both neutral and rich tones.
“Consider the intent of the space: softer, warm hues of pinks and earthy reds can create a light and cosy atmosphere, while selecting the deeper hues of blues and greens can create a calm and moody space,” says Andrea.
UPGRADE YOUR LIGHTING
Cast your eye over all your light fittings. Moth-filled overheads will no longer do. Even though your home openings will occur during daylight hours, any serious buyer will test out the lights. And just as good lighting can improve our appearance on Zoom meetings, so too can it change the look of your abode, particularly in darker homes. Toss out dated fixtures and hire an electrician to hang some modern pendants in areas like the hallway, bedrooms and the kitchen. According to US real estate website Zillow, homes with pendant lights can sell over a day faster than similar homes without.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of the outdoors. We all need fresh air and space. Luckily in most parts of Australia, we have a climate that allows our precious outdoor areas to be enjoyed year-round. Make your space inviting by showcasing outdoor furniture, cleaning off your deck or pavers, adding freshly potted plants and if there’s room, a fire pit. Make it look like a space a family would love to relax and entertain in. Another great tip is to illuminate the
area with solar-powered lights.
DECLUTTER
Have you ever leafed through a high-end homes magazine and wondered how anyone can live in such immaculate quarters? They don’t – the home has been thoroughly decluttered to make it look more appealing. Even if you have to hire storage space for a month or two, it’s a good idea to declutter as much as possible and take away personal belongings. If you are going to display ornaments, let it be a minimal statement piece here and there. If unsure, consider hiring a professional to cast their eye over what stays and what goes. The number-one rule is that less junk makes your home look a lot more spacious, and you may be rewarded by selling at a higher price.
UPCYCLE YOUR CABINETRY
There’s no two ways about it, the kitchen is the room that buyers will judge a house on. If yours hasn’t had an upgrade in years, you don’t need to tear it all out and start again. There are ways to make a difference with some cosmetic changes. One trick is to repaint the cabinetry doors and drawers.
An even better option is to replace them. You can even choose to discard the doors on upper shelving altogether with open shelving. Got an older oven, or a dishwasher that has seen better days? Consider new appliances – they are the first to get noticed. If you have enough time on your hands before the big sale, sign up for deals on popular appliance websites. It’s amazing how these simple steps can immediately modernise the room we spend a lot of time in.
CURB APPEAL
First impressions count. If you don’t want potential buyers to keep driving on by, make the front of your home look as attractive as possible. Consider painting or replacing the front door. Clear the pathway, paint the window frames and clean away any cobwebs. Planting flowers that are in season is an easy and inexpensive way to up the wow factor.
CONSIDER STAGING
If you want buyers to walk in and feel like they’ve stepped straight into a home makeover show, it might be worthwhile hiring someone to dress the house. Professional staging can be a great way to add value to your home. Interior designers will bring in furniture and accessories, typically for a fixed time period, to make your house look as appealing as possible and give buyers ideas on how they can style it themselves. After all, it’s not just your home you are selling, you are selling a lifestyle. Another plus? It makes your place look great in photos, which gets noticed on real estate sites.
REPLACE WINDOW TREATMENTS
Sure, those vertical blinds have been handy over the years, but they look a little dated now. Plus, those faded curtains have been gathering dust for a good while. An easy and inexpensive update is to replace them with simple roller blinds available straight off the shelf from Bunnings or IKEA. The added bonus is your real estate agent can tell potential owners that those blockout blinds can also reduce power consumption to save money on bills.