5 Tips for a Higher Home Value
So you’re looking to put your house on the market. You’ve got a lot invested in this house, and you want to get top dollar for it. That means taking the time to prepare properly.
Let Ohio Handyman show you how to avoid the pitfalls that cost you during the valuation process. Don’t let the process stress you out too much – with these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a great first impression and a high final value.
Get Smart: Tantalizing Technology for Homebuyers
The convenience promised by smart home technology is attractive to potential buyers, and they’ll respond positively to updates – updates that are quick and affordable for you! The list of smart products is ever-growing, and the more of them you make part of the package, the fewer home improvements the buyer will see in their future. Examples include:
- Thermostats
- Security systems
- Sound systems
- Lighting controls
- Smoke detectors
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Video doorbells
For bonus points, a lot of these items increase energy efficiency. And wouldn’t you know it: That’s a priority for potential buyers, too! In fact, energy efficiency – as accomplished through double-paned windows, LED lighting, enhanced insulation, etc. – may be another improvement worth your time and effort.
Don’t Be High-Maintenance: Visions of a Simpler Future
The less the buyer thinks they’ll have to do with the home later, the better. Features such as stone countertops and wall-to-wall carpeting may have people looking at your house wondering what kind of work they have coming to them down the road. Any features you can comfortably replace with low-maintenance alternatives will offer you a good return.
If any of the mechanical systems are getting old, you might consider swapping those out, too. If you were looking at a home, the prospect of not having to replace the air conditioner, water heater or roofing for decades down the road would sound awfully good to you, wouldn’t it?
High (Ap)Praise: Keep That Official Number High
Once the offer is in, an appraisal is on the horizon, and there’s a lot you can do to promote a positive outcome. Be sure to have all the information you could possibly need on hand, and be prepared to present it to the appraiser. Be thinking about:
- Complete offer documentation
- Notable home improvements
- Nearby community amenities
- Nearby home sale prices to compare
While you’re at it, make sure the appraiser’s visit is as pleasant an experience as possible. Don’t have dishes in the sink or laundry on the furniture. Clean out the litter box. Keep the dogs from bounding toward them. It’ll all be worth it in the end.
Don’t Forget the Little Things
Think hard: Is there anything you’ve been putting off doing? Replacing the address numbers on the mailbox? Sealing the driveway? Putting fresh mulch in the flower beds? Replacing missing shingles? Fixing a leaky faucet, or a toilet that keeps running? Shoring up or replacing a wobbly or deteriorating fence? Putting a water filtration system in the kitchen sink? Now’s the time! You might not notice those things on a day-to-day basis, because you’re used to their current status, but visitors just may pick up on them.
Checking All the Boxes: Work Your Way Down the List
You might be able to keep track of the projects you’ve been meaning to work on, but figuring out every individual item that might affect offers is a daunting task. That’s where a handy-dandy home sale checklist comes in, well, handy. Take a look at a comprehensive list of potential home improvements and cosmetic changes, and see all the ways you can boost that value. Every little bit helps!
Let Ohio Handyman Help You Make That List!
At Ohio Handyman, getting homes ready to sell is one of our specialties, and we work with homeowners and real estate agents alike. Our checklist is comprehensive, and it’ll help you as you work to get everything ready before you put your house on the market. And if that list is more than you can get to? No problem. We can guide you through every step of the process. Reach out to us now, and see how we can make a potentially stressful situation much more manageable!