When people begin thinking about selling their home in Connecticut, upgrades can be a first step many people take. However doing too much, or upgrading things that don’t provide much return can be a waste of time and money.
We have put together our list: of 3 upgrades to invest in and 3 to forget about.
3 Upgrades To Invest In:
Do: Paint
A fresh coat of paint can easily brighten up and revive a room. Try to stick with neutral colors and add in pops of color elsewhere, such as throw pillows or artwork. Even though painting over walls is a fairly easy process for a prospective buyer, it still has an impact if a buyer is walking through your house and going into rooms that are a deep dark red or bright orange etc. Some people have a hard time looking past those things and your house may not sit well in their memory once they leave. Painting is a relatively low-cost upgrade that can have a big impact.
Plus a fresh coat of paint will cover and dings in the wall, nail holes, etc. and it gives your house a nice updated clean feel!
Do: A Kitchen & Bath Facelift
You might have heard that an upgraded kitchen and bathroom are two of the best areas to focus on when upgrading your home. However, you can do some smaller upgrades that will make a big impact without costing a fortune.
New faucets, drawer pulls and resurfacing your cabinets are affordable ways to revitalize the space. Some appliance manufacturers sell new and alternate colored faceplates.
For example, swapping out the front of your dishwasher to match the other appliances is a great way to save money and tie things together. Even if you need to simply replace the dishwasher, it’s not a horrible idea. It’s relatively inexpensive at a few hundred dollars and you can obviously market the fact that its brand new which prospective homebuyers always like to hear.
You can take the same principles to give your bathroom a quick makeover. Vinyl tiles can go on the floor, right over what you currently have. Do a deep cleaning of the grout, and re-grout if needed. Small upgrades and cleaning are always a great idea. Keep items neutral to appeal to the most buyers as possible and this type of upgrade will definitely help put your house in the forefront of other houses with older bathrooms
Fix any cracked tiles or broken hardware. (Wobbly towel racks, etc.) Another option to a complete shower renovation is to install a pre-fab cover. This is much cheaper than doing a whole shower overhaul.
Do: Landscaping
Planting some flowers out front or covering dirt with a pretty, fast spreading ground cover will give your home instant curb appeal. If needed, have trees and bushes trimmed and keep the lawn mowed nicely. Putting down some fresh mulch in your flower beds is an easy way to make the outdoor space look well kept and clean.
Depending on your climate, you can plant succulents or lay down pretty rocks to keep the space well maintained, but low-maintenance.
Maybe throw a fresh coat of paint on the mailbox or hang up a bird feeder and some hanging plants. Small touches and a well-groomed yard will draw anyone in. These types of easy outdoor staging upgrades will help buyers see themselves outside enjoying the yard and flowers. If there’s space, put a firepit on the patio or a couple of chairs on the front porch where people can imagine themselves sitting and enjoying their new house!
3 To Forget About:
Don’t: Finish The Basement
This can turn into a major project that can be both expensive and time-consuming. The numbers show you won’t end up getting back anywhere close to what you put into it.
Overall, most homebuyers will want to fix up the space to their taste anyhow. Maybe they want an open game room, or to add a couple of extra bedrooms.
When pricing the home, account for the unfinished space and let buyers know that is reflected in your pricing.
Don’t: Add a Patio, Deck or Pool
Again, this can be very pricey, without much return. If you have an open area, use plants or pavers to tidy up and beautify the space. If the new homeowners want to build a deck, they can do so, but with their tastes and specifications in mind.
Adding a pool can cost a fortune, without providing a huge increase in what you will be able to ask for the home. In addition, a pool may actually deter buyers.
Prospective buyers with small children may worry about safety and many people may not want to worry about the hassle and upkeep of maintaining their own pool.
Don’t: Do A Major Renovation to The Kitchen or Bathrooms
Don’t waste your money with a complete overhaul unless it is absolutely necessary due to water or fire damage. The cost does not make sense, especially when homebuyers will have their own tastes. Many homeowners would prefer a credit to the home price allowing them to upgrade on their terms.
In summary: Don’t over-improve… keep it simple!