Improvements That Pay Off

2024 is projected to be a more positive year for the real estate market. Though progress is expected to be gradual, experts say that home sales should rebound, mortgage rates and prices should improve, and more sellers will list their homes.

So how can sellers get the most money for their home? Spent wisely, investing in improvements in your home usually translates into more money on the table when you sell.

Below are some enhancements and fixes that can help:

• Do some landscaping. From the street, many people will notice the landscaping first. Even adding bark mulch can help make a great first impression and bring out the colors of the landscaping.
• Get a new paint job. A house’s exterior can make or break a buyer’s first impression. Freshen up the interior paint with light and bright trending colors. Touch up baseboards, scuffs on walls, and any areas that have been repaired.
• Repair broken items. Whether it’s a broken window seal, roof tile, or missing/broken electrical cover plates. Nothing turns a buyer off than a home that is not well-maintained. Consider ordering a home inspection to determine if there are issues with the home that may deter buyers. Knowing areas of concern and addressing them up front shows due diligence and decreases negotiation time.
• Invest in outdoor décor. Consider that decks and/or patios are also living spaces. Making the outdoor space inviting to potential buyers by staging them with furniture and decor helps buyers to see the potential of the space.
• Design a welcoming entry. Most of us are influenced by how we are greeted by a home’s entryway. Make the entryway a positive experience for buyers by having it spotless. Consider painting the door, adding a wreath, sprucing up potted plants, and investing in a new front door mat—anything that makes the entry inviting.
• Have high-quality photos. Talk with your realtor about your desire to ensure that the photos are of a high quality. Ask to see samples of the photographer’s past work. Possibly thousands of potential buyers will get their first impression of your home online. Work with your realtor to ensure that the photos produce a positive reaction from viewers.

 Spending time and money to make upgrades and repairs up front not only helps bring in top dollar, but it can also save time and headaches in the negotiation process. As a seller, you can and should disclose all of the work done. This information can give buyers confidence in the quality of the home and assure them that it has been well-maintained. Regarding negotiations, it saves time in the back and forth process if you have a comprehensive understanding of the condition of the home when you list. You are better able to price accordingly and request the removal of or a reduction in contingency timeframes up front. And for those upgrades which are aesthetic, buyers are much more likely to be attracted to the home.

Debbie Austin is a realtor associate with Keller Williams, Roseville and has been helping clients buy and sell property in the area for 19 years. If you have a specific real estate question you wish to see addressed, contact Debbie at (916) 223-8144 or visit debbieaustinrealty.com.