Three More Home Improvements that Grab Buyers

Sellers without the resources for a minor kitchen remodel, bath redo or hardwood flooring can still grab buyers attention with some other more modestly priced home improvements.  The key is to use resources strategically to add or update features that will make the greatest impact on buyers and your home’s resale value.  Here are several projects to put on your home improvement checklist.  

Modest Home Improvements that Hook Home Buyers

  
1.  Update the Fixtures

Never underestimate the impact of updating your home’s fixtures.  Changing out the light fixtures in your kitchen, baths, dining room and hallway can instantly give a home a more updated feel.  Buyers will appreciate lighting with brushed or satin nickel, stainless steel, antique or oil-rubbed bronze finishes and specialty blown-glass pendants.  With recessed lighting, the smaller the fixture, the more current it is.  Home improvement stores make retro-fit kits to mask a larger hole for the older model recessed cans.  Halogen fixtures are preferred for the bright, natural white light they give off.  Add dimmers to recessed fixtures and the dining room chandelier.  In the bath, the best light at the vanity comes from sconces placed on either side of the mirror.  If your bath doesn’t have a newer model exhaust fan, swap it out.  Current models are quieter, more efficient and more aesthetically pleasing; check out the model that is a decorative ceiling mount light fixture with side vents for ventilation. 

Kitchen and bathroom faucets show their wear over time; replacing them with new faucets in an updated finish like satin nickel, brushed chrome or oil rubbed bronze makes the whole room feel fresh and new. In the bath, when you change out your sink faucet, get matching fixtures for the shower and/or bathtub as well, including a quality fixed or handheld showerhead.  Think of the fixtures as the jewelry of your bath.  Buyers will take notice if they’re current and of good quality.

2.  Optimize Storage

Storage space has always been an important consideration for new home buyers.  Not having enough closet and storage space could be cause for buyers to pass over your home.  It is less common for older homes to have large, walk-in closets in the master bedroom.  But if there is enough efficient storage elsewhere in the home for off-season clothing, linens and seasonal items, the lack of a walk-in closet may be mitigated.  The point is to optimize the storage anywhere you have it.  Show potential buyers your home has plenty of efficient storage solutions to house all their stuff.

• Put closet organization systems in every bedroom and linen closet, in the pantry and laundry room. 
• In living or family rooms, buyers will appreciate having a place to put their books, multimedia, and collectibles. Consider adding bonus built-ins by purchasing freestanding bookcases and trimming them out with molding to make them look like custom built-in cabinets.  Offer them to buyers as an optional purchase.  Shelving can always be used in a den, home office or child’s room when you move to your new home.
• Tricked out garages are one of the lastest new home trends.  Clean the garage floor and coat it with a new epoxy-coat floor finish.  Consider installing a new garage storage system.  Once again, you can offer it to buyers as an optional purchase; if they opt out, the modular systems can be removed and reinstalled in your new home. 

3.  Add Architectural Interest

If you live in a home with less square footage than most in your neighborhood, don’t dismay.  While the majority of home buyers have chosen more square footage over home amenities in the past, the tides have turned, and now many will consider the well-appointed smaller home.  Homes with architectural interest and detailing impress and draw in buyers looking for the charm factor. 

If your home is already outfitted with charming features, look for ways to play them up even further. 

• Upgrade the facade of the fireplace with natural stone
• Dress up the mantel with additional molding or details
• Add chair rail or architectural panels in the dining room 
• Highlight a chandelier or dining fixture with a decorative ceiling medallion.

  If your smaller home has few architectural details, add them now.

• Install crown molding
• Add extra wide baseboards
• Trim out windows and doors with specialty moldings
• Set off all the new trim with white or light colored paint against a warm, neutral wall color.  

 These are the types of details that excite buyers and lead to an emotional connection with your home. 

Imagine walking through a home for sale that has been updated and upgraded in these strategic areas.  Many of these features may be on your own list of wants and needs as you prepare to shop for a new home.  Prepare your home for sale, give potential buyers what they’re looking for, and they will stop looking…it’s that simple!

Check back for more recommended home improvements that will help sell your home. 

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