There’s a reason why every commercial that takes place in the home always looks modern, fresh, and newly updated. You’ll never see a kitchen with appliances from the 80s, dingy linoleum floors, or wood paneling on the walls. Dated homes (even if it’s just an advertisement) aren’t appealing.
This is definitely true for people who want to buy a house. They want to buy a house that is as close to move-in ready as possible. They don’t want to have to tackle home improvement projects just to bring the home into the 21st century!
If you need to sell and aren’t selling it as-is, you may want to spend a little money to update these features.
Poor energy efficiency
In a recent report released by Homelight, real estate agents say many of their clients want a house that is energy efficient. They don’t want drafty windows or doors, energy-eating appliances, or a poorly insulated home.
Some ways you can improve your home’s energy efficiency include updating the windows and doors, sealing and insulating the basement and/or attic, and planting trees around the home to keep as much sunlight (and its heat) from entering your home.
Old fixtures, appliances, and design
There are some tell-tale signs that your house is pretty old. When buyers walk through a home, they don’t want to feel like they’ve gone back in time. They’re turned off by things like shag carpeting, wood paneling, Formica countertops, and light fixtures. The primary spaces buyers are looking at are the kitchen and the bathrooms, and while updating these rooms may seem costly, you can get the renovations done on a relatively modest budget.
Dated and damaged flooring
Shag carpeting isn’t the only type of flooring that’s a turn-off to buyers – they’re not keen on damaged flooring, vinyl flooring that’s beginning to peel, or cracked tiles, naming a few. Today’s homebuyers are drawn to hard surface flooring. What colors and styles people prefer is hard to nail down, but right now, buyers tend to lean toward cool tones, varying shades of grey, or flooring that looks distressed and worn (but not actually distressed and worn).
Patios or decks in disrepair
One of the areas buyers are interested in our outdoor living spaces. They love homes with a patio, deck, or even balcony because they can sit outside, entertain, and enjoy the weather. However, it isn’t just enough to have a patio, deck, or balcony. It needs to be well-maintained. That means a slap on some new paint or stain to bring it back to life. Repair any loose boards or cracked cement. You could even plant some flowers around the edge of the patio or deck just to give the space a little extra pizazz.
Incohesive color scheme
Your home is a reflection of you, and while you’ve put a lot of thought into the color scheme throughout your home… Not everyone is going to appreciate your particular color palette. If you’re going to put your house on the market, it’ll be much easier for buyers to picture living there if you opt for a neutral color palette.
From the moment you put your house on the market, it’s just a matter of time before the offers come rolling in. This is your home’s time to shine! If you make these upgrades, you can bet that your home will increase in value, and it’ll appeal to a large pool of buyers. If you want to be certain what features are popular in your area, you can always reach out to your real estate agent for advice and guidance.
