Simple Ways to Improve the Resale Value of Your Home

With all of the homes on the market it is more important than ever to make sure that your home stands out to potential buyers. Before placing your home on the market consider doing some simple and inexpensive work on your home to really make your home stand out.

Remember that first impressions count!

The exterior of your home is the first thing a potential buyer will see. Make it inviting and it will set a good first impression. Make sure that there is no trash or debris in the yard and that the lawn is mowed and edged and looks well kept.

Make the foliage inviting: trim the hedges and weed and mulch the flower garden. If you do not have a flower bed consider investing in one– an inviting yard makes a great first impression.

Also, consider pressure washing your home. A clean exterior makes the home look newer and more inviting.

Make your home look spacious and new-

Having made the outside of your home inviting it is time to do some work to the inside. Save money by doing a lot of this work on your own. But if a serious task– like major electrical wok– is needed hire a professional.

Get the inside of your home free of clutter. Organize and tidy up the home; a clean home gives the house a more spacious appearance and make the home look newer. Clean the windows thoroughly using newspaper and wash the walls. Painting the walls is a worthwhile investment to make your home look fresh and really allow it to stand out.

To get the best results before painting be sure to patch up any holes or dents in the walls. Regardless of how small these may seem it is important that they are taken care of. Caulk any and all cracks and run a small bead of caulk on top of the baseboard– wipe the bead with a damp finger for a smooth line.

When the time finally comes to paint give the walls two coats. No matter the quality of the paint you use, two coats will always give better results. The first coat is a primer; after it is completely dry use a fine grit sandpaper, 220 grit, and give it a light sand. Use a damp cloth to pick up the sanding dust.

For truly professional results apply two coats of semi-gloss latex paint on top of the primer. Lightly sand and wipe the first coat as well, removing every bit of grit and dust, and ensuring the maximum results.

Replace old curtains and blinds. Having faded or aged blinds and curtains against newly painted, fresh looking walls lowers the homes appeal. The same goes for the carpets. Make sure they look spotless and fresh. Consider allowing a professional do them, the investment will be worth it.

Another easy project is to replace old light switches and outlets with something that appears more modern. This can often be done easily enough using existing wiring. This will give the impression that the wiring is newer as well as being aesthetically pleasing. Remember though, if you do this yourself, to cut the power.

Wood is in-

You can give your home a modern look by putting in wood trimming and cornicing; it is inexpensive and gives your home a touch of class. Ceiling trim makes a huge difference as well, adding to the homes appeal.

Hardwood floors are back in style, and if your floor is in good condition you could very well save some money by pulling up the carpet and refinishing the floors. Check the floor by cutting a small piece of carpet from a corner in a closet. If the floor is in good condition pull the carpet and refinish the floors.

That’s everything but the kitchen sink-

One of the most important rooms to update is the kitchen; it is typically the deal breaker for most women and fixing it up can really improve the chances of selling your home and increasing its resale value. The most important consideration in the kitchen is the kitchen sink.
An old kitchen sink with outdated, worn faucets and a shallow basin will make your entire kitchen seem outdated. Get a modern double basin sink. An undermount kitchen sink is a perfect compliment to your kitchen. They are sleek and beautiful.

A stainless steel kitchen sink also adds a level of sophistication to your kitchen and makes it appear more modern. Both of these sinks can be purchased rather inexpensively from a dealer that sells discount kitchen sinks. They will help transform any kitchen.

Refinish the kitchen cabinets. If the kitchen is small or dark try applying a light colored finish; it will make the kitchen appear more open and brighter.

Finally, having replaced the sink and redone the cabinets complete the transformation by restoring the countertops. Take a small three inch roller and apply two coats of catalyzed epoxy. Using light pressure this will give the countertops the appearance of a textured finish and make them look like new.

Final suggestions-

Taking all these steps will help give your home a new, modern look and make your home more appealing to potential buyers. This will increase the resale value of your home greatly, while costing you relatively little. There are a few remaining things you can do to ensure the highest resale value:

Put in higher wattage bulbs– It will not only make your home look brighter and more appealing, but it will help potential buyers see just how new and modern your house appears.

Install ceiling fans–Particularly in hot and humid climates - this will improve the homes energy efficiency and raise its value.

Hire a professional to asses the square footage of your home– This could run you a few hundred dollars, but their assessment may sometimes be higher than what is recorded, easily adding hundreds and perhaps even thousands to the value of your home.

Author’s Bio:

Cedric Crumbley lives in Des Moines, IA with his beautiful new bride Angelica. He enjoys running and the written word and is the publisher of eminent-kitchen-sinks.com. Growing up he never used a dish washer and instead kept the dishes clean by washing them in the kitchen sink. His admiration for kitchen sinks has lasted to this day.

Posted October 14, 2008, filed in Clutter Hack Links, It's That Time, Clutter Hacks