Buying a home is a huge commitment, especially financially. People are more cautious about closing and often more thorough about evaluating all of the aspects of the home. There are many ways to increase the value of your home before you sell and make it more appealing to buyers. Here are a few:
Clean up.
The most common theme across the “worst listing photos ever,” is clutter. Removing personal items makes rooms look much nicer and opens up a lot of space, making the room look bigger – something that never hurts in NYC. Cleaning your countertops and sinks will give surfaces that just-installed sparkle. Why spend thousands of dollars when you can give your kitchen or bathroom a newly renovated look by just wiping them down with Windex?
Paint.
A fresh coat of white paint can really brighten up a room and is more neutral than having bold statement walls (especially if the paint is replacing wallpaper).
Storage space!
From armoires to closets, everyone likes having room to store their belongings so that they’re out of the way, creating more space within the apartment itself. Drawers under the bed or shelves along the walls closer to the ceiling are good ways to increase storage space. Another way to create space is to have a hidden desk that folds into the wall like this one. A cabinet and a desk? Wow now that’s innovation.
K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Stupid
Elaborate decor may deter buyers, especially if it isn’t their taste. Pass on the ostentatious additions and focus on improving what you do have. Sometimes, huge renovations are detrimental and the return you get will be less than the cost of the renovation.
Bathrooms are one of the most desirable features of an apartment and a minor renovation could provide a great return. A minor kitchen remodel is also a great renovation that makes your home look new. No one wants to live in an apartment that has remnants of your life – or your dinners.
Get your home inspected.
Like a lawyer, it’s in your best interest to know all of the details whether they’re positive or negative. Having your home inspected will reveal what needs to be updated to become up to par and enable you to better speak about your home, especially if you fix what needs to be fixed. Here are more details on home inspections for sellers.
