8 Internal Home Upgrades Before You Decide To Sell

Take a peek under your carpet and you may discover a home improvement ready to go.

“Hardwood and tile floors add a level of warmth and are a definite return on investment,” notes Steve Frellick, licensed contractor and founder/broker of Yonder Luxury Vacation Rentals.

Hardwoods, laminate, and tile floors are easier to clean and aren’t magnets for dust and dirt, so they’re ideal for people who suffer from allergies.

Mid-century modern and retro design are on trend right now.

Adding a few elements of a trendy design will add some serious “cool” to your digs, Frellick says.

“Hang an antique barn-door in place of a traditional closet door, update some light fixtures with retro fixtures using Edison bulbs, or do a wall in wood or brick tiles.

These kinds of home improvements are ones that almost any homeowner can tackle,” says Frellick.

Whether hosting a game night, book club or wine tasting, an unused space can become party central.

“Turn your basement or a spare living room into a finished space with a big screen TV, bar, and lounge area,” suggests US-based real estate agent Mary Ann Graboyes.

Whether it’s kid-friendly or a space for adults, this home improvement will be utilised a lot and add value to your home now – and down the line when you’re ready to sell.

Remember The Jetsons?

It seemed like wacky science fiction to us at the time, but their tech-savvy home was their version of our Smart Homes today.

“Add lighting, video cameras, switches, dimmers, outlets, heating and cooling, and security systems which are compatible with your smartphone or virtual assistant,” says Graboyes.

“The biggest ‘wow factor’ I’m seeing right now is motorised window shades,” says US-based realtor Luis Dominguez of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

It’s easier to adjust the shades when you don’t have to get on a step ladder, plus new shades are almost always cordless and child-safe, factors parents of young children will appreciate. When it comes to bedrooms, blackout and light-filtering options are ideal.

Painting the interior of your home in neutrals, especially trendy gray, will render top dollar according to Dominguez.

“Finding the right combination for a home will certainly increase its appeal and overall image.

On the other hand, properties with dated colors, like pink, yellow, and green always tend to sell for less than a freshly, contemporary, painted home,” says Dominguez.

“Home buyers are looking for unique homes,” says Dominguez.

Accent walls with exposed brick, rustic wood panels, and wallpaper (yes, it’s back!) add visual impact and highlight architectural features.

Seeing something they have not seen before will definitely have them talking about your house, and hopefully the conversation is about making an offer!

Nothing evokes a feeling of coziness quite like a fireplace.

Even if your home is in a tropical area and you don’t need it for heat, Dominguez says homes with fireplaces typically sell for 10 percent more than similar homes without one.

You don’t have to hire a mason to lay bricks or stones; freestanding gas or electric fireplaces with mantles with built-ins for books and knick-knacks are great for traditional homes or go contemporary with wall mounted units.

Source: RD.com