Ready to put your home on the market? Time and again, we get asked the same question. Should I make any improvements before I try to sell? The answer is, it depends. Major renovations don’t always pay off, but the right upgrades can mean a quicker, smoother, and more profitable sale.
If you’re preparing to sell your home, here are five updates you may want to consider making first…
1) Repaint
It’s one of the least expensive ways to refresh the look and feel of your home. For the low cost of a can of paint, you can completely transform your living space before you stage, list, and show it to potential buyers! We suggest choosing a warm, neutral shade (pale gray-blue, beige with gold undertones, and shades of white all work well). The idea is to enhance the rooms in your home—without overpowering the staging efforts to come.
2) Boost your curb appeal
As far as we’re concerned, too many folks underestimate the importance of curb appeal. Whether you’re selling a luxury mansion or a cute little vacation home, first impressions matter. For starters, give some love to your landscaping. Your lawn, your shrubs, your flowers—whatever plant life surrounds you home, make sure it’s healthy and well-maintained. Next, pay attention to your home’s exterior. Is there any old or rotting wood in need of repair? Could it use a fresh coat of paint? If so, it’s best to take care of these issues before you list.
3) Ditch the carpeting and laminate flooring
Take it from us: in the eyes of buyers, there’s nothing worse than outdated flooring. And having a different type of floor in every room is just as bad! Laminate in the kitchen and carpet in the living room may have been common two decades ago, but today it just doesn’t pass muster. Instead, consider hardwood, which never really goes out of style. Tile is another popular option—especially if you go with luxury vinyl or ceramic.
4) Say goodbye to granite
Many sellers are surprised to learn that granite countertops no longer provide the “wow” factor they used to. Once the gold standard, this countertop material seems to have lost some of its sheen. Among Hilton Head buyers, we’re seeing a strong preference for quartz. It’s more durable than marble, and it looks absolutely stunning in most homes. That’s worth considering, if your countertops are looking worse for wear.
5) Check your plumbing
Was your home built in the lates 80s or early 90s? If so, you may want to look into whether polybutelene plumbing was installed. These types of systems are prone to failing—which is why they make insurance companies wary. Buyers are just as hesitant, and they’ll often ask sellers to replace them if they’re discovered during an inspection. We suggest being proactive. If your home was constructed during the right time period, have the plumbing looked at!
Selling a home can be overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to decide whether to make upgrades first. Fortunately, a real estate expert can help! At Herman & Davis, we have a talented home stager on hand. It’s just one of the many services we provide. We’d love the opportunity to tell you more about how we can prepare your home for the market—and help you command the highest price possible when you sell!
Have questions about selling a home on Hilton Head? Get in touch. We’ll walk you through the selling process and give you an idea of what to expect!