Every seller wants to make a lot of money on their home, but many don’t know exactly what goes into the pricing of a property and think that their home is worth more than it actually is. Outside factors, like the local market and economic trends, play a large role in the final selling price. But there are also elements that you can control to get a better deal. Here’s what you can do to fix up your home before selling and boost its final value.

View Your Home Through A Buyer’s Lens

Before deciding to make any major changes to your home’s appearance, view it from the perspective of a buyer who has never seen it before. Walk through the property just like you’re attending a showing or open house––visit each room and spend time analyzing it. Look at everything, from the walls, ceiling and floor to the windows and appliances. Even bring a pad of paper or your phone to take notes on what looks good and what needs work. It might sound tedious, but you’ll be surprised at how many observations you make that you wouldn’t have if it weren’t for flipping your perspective.

Plan Out Major Renovations

After you’ve had the chance to look closely at your entire home, you can decide what really needs work and plan for it to happen before you sell. Here are some ways that you can break down the renovation process to make it seem a little less overwhelming.

1) Separate Projects By Room

This is one of the easiest ways you can prioritize what work needs to be done. Write down each room in your home, and then list out the renovations that need to happen in each one. You can then tackle one room at a time. This will ensure that your whole home isn’t under construction at once and it’s still a livable space.

2) Separate Basic Renovations from Fancy Upgrades

You can also get your priorities in line by organizing projects by complexity. Basic renovations have the largest influence on your home’s value and could make or break the sale of your home. These can include repairing plumbing leaks, insulating the attic, and replacing old or leaky windows, just to name a few. Fancier upgrades, on the other hand, aren’t necessarily things that you need to sell your home, but would still boost the home’s value and be in your price range. For example, an energy-efficient property is highly thought of in many markets. Though your home doesn’t require an energy-saving air conditioner or solar-powered water heater, these are things to think about if you have old units that aren’t doing the job. 

3) Tackle the Basics First

Once you’ve separated basic projects from fancy upgrades, you can start to work on some of the items on your list. Depending on your budget, you might not realistically be able to invest in every upgrade you want for your home before selling. So if you’re going to invest anywhere, make sure that you start with the basic renovations that will make the biggest difference in your home’s price.

Do Some Cleaning

Even after you’ve tackled the larger projects, you’re not done! No matter how many upgrades and renovations your home has, it won’t impress anyone if it doesn’t show well. Before letting your agent or prospective buyers check out the property, it’s important to make sure that it looks presentable for visitors. You can do some basic cleaning first and then focus on the presentation so that guests can see everything your home has to offer without distractions.

Basic Cleaning Tips: Go through each room in your home and cover the basics––vacuuming, sweeping, dusting and cleaning off countertops are just a few examples of simple ways you can show off the property to guests.

Presentation Tips: After taking basic measures, think about how the home appears using your five senses. For example, making the beds and letting in natural light can make the home look friendlier. Taking out the trash and adding a candle can make for a pleasant smell. Playing some soft, ambient music can add a nice sound. It’s the little things like these that can make a big difference in how others perceive your home.

Look Outside

The outside of a property is equally as important as the inside! Whether it’s doing major projects or simply touching up your curb appeal, a polished exterior instantly adds value. Think about small ways you can give the outside of your home a glow so that when buyers pull up, they’re instantly impressed. You can add a personal touch with a doormat and wreath on your door or a colorful pot of flowers, for example. Even having a mowed lawn, raked leaves or a shoveled driveway makes a big difference in how your home appears and sells.

Get Help From A Professional

Raising the value of your home isn’t always an easy task. With so many rooms to fix up and renovations to pay for, many sellers get overwhelmed trying to get their property buyer-ready. When you try to manage this on your own, you might end up neglecting an important part of your home or spending money on unnecessary projects. Long story short: the best way to get the most money for your home is to work with a real estate professional. In 2017, the average agent-assisted home sale sold for $25,500 more than those listed for sale by owner.

At HomeSmart, our agents are trained to get to know your home’s individual needs, attract a large pool of buyers and sell for what you deserve. So before you try to do it all alone, connect with an agent. You might be surprised at how much time and stress they can save you down the line!