From A Woman's Perspective: July 6th, 2024 "Inside Home Improvements that add resale value"

Inside Home Improvements that add resale value
 

Good morning, Marilyn.

We’ve been enjoying some spectacular weather lately. Summer is a great time to tick outside maintenance chores off the “honey do” list. Last week I shared my perspective as a Realtor on the exterior home improvements that pay off big time at sale time. If you missed it, visit our website smartrealtysolution.com and go to blog posts to find this and other SMART seller solutions. 

Today I’d like to switch our focus over to the interior home improvements you can do to maintain and improve the resale value of your home. Here are my top five suggestions:

1. Declutter 

Rainy days are a great time to fulfill your urge to purge. Whether an hour or an afternoon, the time you spend decluttering is time well spent. Just to be clear: decluttering is not reorganizing; it’s actually reducing the quantity of your stuff by donating, gifting, tossing or selling. If you need help getting started, we have two resources to share: “The Decluttering Battle Plan” workbook teaches a straightforward 5-step strategy for conquering clutter. And second, you can sign up for “The 30-Day Decluttering Challenge” that will send you an email every day for a month with a task, expert tips, and motivational content to help you overcome the overwhelm. Both the booklet and the challenge are on our website, smartrealtysolution.com or by calling me, Sharon at 416-460-5636.

2. Repairs

Taking care of inside repairs is the next best use of your time and money. Anything that leaks, creaks or or doesn’t work properly - remember we’re still talking about your house, not your spouse - should be fixed well in advance of a decision to sell your house. A well-maintained home saves you money in the long run, whether in your final sale price or in negotiations after a property inspection. 

3. Neutral Paint

So far, Marilyn, we’ve been sticking to free and low-cost improvements, and my next suggestion - neutralizing paint - is neither free nor low-cost but it definitely delivers the biggest bang for the buck. I know you’ve worked hard over the years to move away from the hated “builder’s beige” but in preparing to sell someday, neutral wins the day. Selling your home is not the time to express your colourful personality. Why? Buyers are looking for an easy, convenient move and being able to envision their stuff in your neutral rooms pulls down one possible barrier to choosing your property. If you can’t manage to do the whole house, focus on the main floor. As the old real estate adage goes, “Main floors sell homes.”

4. Flooring

And speaking of floors, updating flooring is another home improvement that greatly increases buyer attraction to your property. In the past few years, tastes have dramatically moved away from wall-to-wall broadloom in favour of contemporary flooring finishes. The gold standard for luxury properties remains hardwood floors, especially in the main living areas, but there are also many new flooring options that you might not have heard about. There’s engineered wood floors, luxury vinyl plank floors, and new composite flooring. These are better suited to high-traffic areas, basements, and condos. We have a full explanation of flooring options in our workbook, “Best Renos for ROI,” that’s available on our website, smartrealtysolution.com or by calling me at 416-460-5636.

5. Lighting

After your neutral paint and fancy new flooring, you might think you’re done with the interior home improvements, but I am going to suggest one last category to consider: Upgrading and updating your interior lighting. Here’s where a bit of bling makes a big difference in suggesting a little luxury. Dated smokey glass and brass to contemporary chrome and crystal, new lighting lifts the look, lightens and literally brightens your space broadening the appeal to future buyers.

I hope you found this list of interior improvements helpful. Maybe you’re wondering how to start. Let me remind you that the question to ask is “Who can help me start?” I’d love to be the person you call for a downsizing consultation. As someone who is in the real estate marketplace every day I can give my insights on the home improvements you can make to maximize the sale price whenever you decide to sell. A downsizing consultation is just one of the many no cost, no obligation services you can request by calling me or visiting our website.

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