Three tools to get the most money for your home

“I need to get as much money as possible out of this house.” A sentence spoken by many homeowners to their Realtors while discussingtheir home’s value. Makes sense, right? For most homeowners, their home is their largest financial asset. Even if you’re not planning to move any time soon, proper maintenance and smart updates are paramount when it comes to protecting your home’s value.Here are three tools you can use to ensure you get top dollar for your home when it comes time to sell. 

Tool #1 – Kitchen and Bath Fixes
Kitchens and baths are the “money makers”. Many buyers decide on a property based on these spaces alone, so it is important to look at it through their eyes. Will buyers walk in and imagine cooking their favorite meals at holidays, or will they scratch their head wondering if their turkey can fit in that tiny 1950’s wall oven? When a full kitchen remodel is not in the budget, painted cabinets, newcountertops, and a $2,500 appliance package can go a LONG way. In the bathroom, if there is no time to retile the shower or floors, consider re-glazing them for a fraction of the cost. It will make an immediate impact, is budget friendly, and will only take a few days versus a few weeks.

Tool #2 – Professional Home Staging
A professional home stager highlights the positive features of your home while minimizing the negatives. His or her suggestions on where to spend your money will not just save you money, it will make you money in the end! For just a few hundred dollars for a consultation with a stager, you could easily increase your return by thousands. For example, you may be preparing to spend $500 repainting your teal bedroom, when a home stager can use a few home accessories to make the space pop, saving you hundreds of dollars repainting the space. Another example might be if you’re considering making minor improvements inside, yet the stager points out the exterior landscaping only needs a few updates to really make the curb appeal shine. And getting them into the house is half the battle.

Tool #3 – Regular Property Maintenance

The final tool is regular and thorough property maintenance. Make sure to follow seasonal home maintenance checklists that remind you to do things such as clean out gutters, check screens and windows for proper function, check roof shingles, service the heater and air conditioners, and other small tasks are paramount to ensuring your home stays in tip-top shape. If you have been lagging in this department, your Realtor can suggest a handyman or contractor who can go through the property to take care of any of these items. You could also consider having the home pre-inspected and/or providing a one year home warranty on the home to give buyers peace of mind that they are purchasing a well-cared for a protected home that they will enjoy for many years to come, just as you have. This will make for a more attractive property and a smoother home inspection process.

There are many more tips and tools where these came from, and this will certainly give you a great head start.