Home Improvements
According to the Remodeling Contractor’s Magazine, the expected payback for each dollar spent on home improvements could be:
| 1. Add Fireplace 2. Add full bath 3. Insulated siding 4. Major Kitchen Upgrade 5. New Roofing 6. Remodel Bathroom 7. Add wood deck 8. Add room 9. Add Swimming Pool |
$1.23 $1.10 $1.00 $0.89 $0.98 $0.75 $0.73 $0.71 $0.32 |
Even if these home improvements don’t bring back every penny you spent, many times they will make a difference in whether or not your house sells, or how quickly it will sell – which does equate to money in your pocket.
Preparing Your Home
The first step in preparing your home for sale is to look at it as if you were seeing it for the first time. Take a hard look at the exterior. Have you kept up the appearance from the outside with fresh paint and nice landscaping? Inside, do you have fingerprints on the switch plates, on the hall walls, on the door facings? Does your kitchen sparkle? Have you replaced the wallpaper or is it in such good condition that you think the new owner can replace it if they want. How about the flooring? Is it the original or is it updated? The less work a purchaser has to do to your home the more they are willing to pay for it and the faster it will sell. People are affected by their senses – Sights, Smells, Sounds… So…
Some general comments about getting your home ready for the market:
- First impressions are everything – they will determine whether or not the buyer will even come inside your home. Fresh landscaping with blooming flowers will make a great first impression – as will a fresh coat of paint and current colors on your shutters
- Make sure all the light bulbs are replaced, wipe down switch plate covers, door handles, let in lots of light, updated paint colors (paint hits two senses – sight and smell!), and if you have pets, make sure to eliminate pet odor, and if you smoke – do so only outdoors. Remember to fix that dripping faucet!
- Cut out the clutter. Less is more when it comes to showing your home. Pat will help you determine what needs to be removed and what just needs to be moved around to create more space.
Pat Wattam specializes in helping homeowners decide what repairs are most important and which ones will help the house sell quickly. Call her today at (225)298-6900 for a free consultation. Many sellers have benefited from her ideas and her thoughts on staging your home to show its best features.
