Deciding to sell your house is a big step. You want to get the price you deserve, even in a competitive market. Whether you need more space or less, there are a few tricks to getting the price you want.
If you need to know how to increase home value for appraisal, there are a few easy improvements you can do. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on them. Plus, many of them you can do yourself.
It can be a house you just bought to resell or the old family home you inherited. With a few easy changes and upgrades, you won’t have any problems increasing the value.
Keep on reading to learn more!
How to Increase Home Value for Appraisal
Making a few small upgrades to your home will actually increase the value. Whether you choose to do them yourself or get some professional help, you will only add to the value of your home.
Curb Appeal
The first thing people see is the front of your house. This can actually make or break the deal. You want the first impression to wow and welcome your potential buyers.
1. Yard
Have the grass cut and improved. You need to lay some sod down to fill in some bald patches.
Be sure to have the hedges and trees trimmed and tidied. Plant some bushes that bloom, for extra color.
Plant some flowers along the walkway, in the space in front of the house or even in flower boxes in your windows.
2. Front of House
Repair or replace siding. Paint or stain the siding that has faded, chipped or rusted. Repair and clean the eavestroughs. Get the leaves and debris out and make sure they are not bent or broken.
Repair cracks or damage to the walk. Put in or paint handrails, and fix the windows, frames, and screens. Wash off all the spider webs, winter dirt, and bird droppings.
3. Door and Steps
Fix broken steps and paint or stain the handrails here, too. Paint the door or replace it if it’s in bad shape. A potted plant or a decoration on the door adds a welcoming touch.
Interior
Start with the foyer or landing, where guests will first come in. A small table, mirror, and family pictures all make it feel homey. For more tips, check out Treasure Valley Property Solutions.
4. Professional Cleaning
Hiring cleaning a team to give the house a really good scrub makes it easier to maintain. The cleaners can do a lot in a small amount of time. Make sure you do walls, windows, and floors.
5. Kitchen Counters and Cupboards
Cracks, chips, and stains make kitchen counters, and cupboards look old and tired. You can do small repairs or get DIY countertop replacements.
Replace broken or faded handles. Make them all uniform and matching. Wash down the fronts of cupboards or repaint or stain them.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money, as the new owners will likely change it all anyhow. It’s just for the appearance.
6. Floors
Tear up old carpeting and linoleum. Noting ages a house more than tired and worn floors. If you have hardwood, get it refinished to look it’s best.
If you can get away with just a good deep cleaning of the carpets, great. Over the years, we don’t notice the odors and grime caught in the carpeting, but a new guest will.
If you need to tear the carpet out, replace it or spruce up the floor underneath.
Having the floors professionally stripped and redone will take years off the house and brighten up the rooms, halls and add space.
7. Bathrooms
Replace the fixtures if they are old. New taps really brighten a bathroom and kitchen. If there is damage to the sink or bathtub, get it repaired, replaced or patched up.
There are products available to repair chips in toilets, sinks and your tub. Make sure there are no stains in your toilet and get rid of rust in the sink. Fix any leaks and other surface damage.
8. Paint
Painting will add years to the house and make everything brighter and cleaner. If you have a room painted dark, bring it back to white or offwhite. It’s easier for potential buyers to imagine their stuff in a plain room.
Painting a room can also add space, freshen up walls and even cover up odors from cooking, smoking, and pets.
9. Lighting
Lighting is very important for the overall feel of a room. Get rid of harsh, overhead lighting and opt for lamps, a nice soft cover for the bathroom and kitchen lights and mood lighting in the bedroom.
You can consider putting in smart lighting in the home, which makes it easy to control. Outside lighting s also important, and consider solar lamps along the walk or on the deck.
10. Dress It Up
It’s common practice to dress or stage your home. This can be rented furniture, replacement appliances or smaller items, like flowers, dishes, mirrors and more. You can do this yourself or hire people to stage it for you.
It’s often done once you have moved out of the house, but can be done while you are there. A professional knows how to arrange the props to make your home more appealing.
The old trick of baking bread to give it a homey feel is rather transparent, but it’s better than stale fried onions.
House For Sale
How to increase home value for appraisal is quite simple. It’s definitely worth your time to make a few small improvements that make the house look great. When it comes to major repairs, you need to decide if you want to do them or let the buyer know.
A few easy ways to spruce up your home will make sure you get the best price possible. It can be done over a weekend if you don’t have too much. If you know a good handyman, get them in to help.
Once the house is sold, you will need to move. Here are a few tips to help you through that stressful time.
