When you have a property you need to sell, you have one big goal in mind – to get the most you can from that sale. With this in mind, you need to do more than just optimize the rental description or hire a fine agent. A property can be sold at a much higher price from the one you spent when you bought it. The trick is to add value to it.
Of course, adding value depends on how much you invest and how smart you are about it. You want your property to be worth more than your investment when you bought it and remodeled it for the purpose of selling it.
No matter how challenging or impossible this sounds to you, it is actually doable. People around the world use the aesthetics and functioning to increase a property’s value without investing large sums or make sure to invest in just the right things to boost their sales in addition to covering the expenses.
In this article, you will learn smart tips for increasing the price of your property before sale.
1. Inspect
You can do as many “cosmetic” improvements as you want, but the bottom line is – not everything is about the aesthetics. People look for safety and quality, which is why things like termite infestation, deteriorating roofs, and an outdated electrical system can cost you a sale.
Inspecting the home for any hidden problems that may pop up when the seller is considering making a purchase is a minor investment, but it is definitely a necessary one. You need to be prepared for the things that can impact the value of your property in a negative way and fix them before they become bigger and more expensive.
2. Paint
The most effective and appealing improvements known in the property industry is paint! As simple as it is, painting can give a property an entirely new appeal. Freshly painted properties look updated and clean, which screams value on its own.
It goes both ways – if you don’t paint the property before putting it up for sale, all the flaws will be visible to the eye of the buyers, even the smallest ones. A small hole or a stain can ruin an entire impression. Aesthetics are very important, and paint is the greatest and most affordable tool you have to make your entire property more appealing.
When selecting the colors for painting, look for neutrals to attract a wider group of buyers.
3. Cut Down the Price of Energy
The monthly prices are something all buyers look into when purchasing a home. Therefore, taking action toward cutting energy prices for the property before selling it might be one of the smartest investments you can make. Add some insulation to the attic to seal the air leaks, install solar panels to generate electricity and heat the water, equip it with some energy-star products, etc.
Some of these changes might seem unnecessary to you because of their price, but they make any property a more valuable asset to its buyer. An investment that cuts down the cost of energy can boost your price even higher and make for a much bigger return for your investment.
Of course, you need to weigh the expenses and benefits before you invest in this. ‘’Instead of rushing into buying anything that can attract buyers and end up spending more than you can earn by selling a property, hire experts for everything you are having doubts about. An inspection for the home, an energy audit, and even a writer for your property description makes for a much safer investment when it comes to boosting a property’s value.’’ – says Yang Webber, an expert at BestEssayTips.
4. Plant Trees
Yes, trees. Something as simple as a tree and some flowers can boost the landscaping of your property and help you make a better sale. Plant some shade trees that cut down energy and cooling prices and provide a fine, natural shadow in the yard. This will also give the property an environmentally-friendly appeal, which of course provides a great curb appeal for the buyer.
However, when you are thinking “landscaping”, think low-maintenance. Some fine details like plants and shrubs add curb appeal to properties, but your task isn’t just to buy ‘something’. Buy native plants that are drought-tolerant and don’t require a lot of maintenance to save some money and time for both you and the future owner of the property.
5. Install Water Filtration Systems
You might see this as a luxury right now, but you’d be surprised to know how many homebuyers go for such luxurious details. This isn’t just about the aesthetics – it makes for a healthier and cost-effective living, something that every buyer who visits your property will appreciate.
6. De-clutter
Your own clutter can look appealing to you, but when it comes to selling a property – simple is the way to go. People don’t want to see your details and ornaments – they want simplicity that allows them to imagine their own version of the place.
Before you start showing the property, de-clutter it as much as you can. Aim for clean, functional and simple. Fresh paint and a cleaned-up property are bound to increase the value on its own.
7. Test the Air Quality
How is the air quality inside the property? A test performed by a professional can help you improve this by a lot. It can tell you whether or not you need to replace the floors and carpets, use humidifiers, install new windows, change the ventilation system, etc.
If the air quality inside the property is concerning, consider installing hard-surface floors like laminate or tiles. These don’t hold any odors, are friendly and natural, and give a property a fresh and updated look. They are also great for the aesthetics of the home.
8. Make It Spotless
Cleanliness is one of the biggest tools you have to make a great first impression. Clean the property so well that it shines when people enter it. It guarantees a great first impression and can boost the selling price as a result of it.
If you don’t have the time to clean the property regularly, hire a cleaning service for some detailed scrubbing.
9. Increase the Square Footage
After reading this, you are probably thinking that this is a huge investment. But, what if we told you that you don’t have to actually increase the property to increase its square footage? Some things can affect the size of the property in the eye of the buyer. Visual space refers to how large a property feels so you might want to work on making each of the rooms inside the property visually bigger.
There are plenty of ways to achieve this. Use bright colors for the wall painting, replace the heavy, dark draperies with shutters and blinds that let light in, install more windows to make a room feel more open, add large mirrors to double the spaces, etc. De-cluttering the rooms also falls into this list.
Small investments of money and time can make your property more valuable than it already is. Make sure to wager the prices for moving and remodeling with those you demand the property. The smarter you are about this, the more money you can get for selling your property.
About the Author: Peter Hill is a professional writer and journalist. He is a socially active person, engaged in the photo and video editing. You can find him on Twitter @OPeterhill and Facebook.
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