6 Home Improvements to Make your Home Sell Faster
On average, it takes about 60 to 90 days to sell a home in British Columbia. That doesn't sound like very long, but when it's your house on the market and you're in a rush, even those few weeks can feel like a lifetime. So what can you do to speed up the process and sell your home faster? The answer lies in making your home more attractive to buyers. This doesn't have to be complicated - a few simple home improvements will go a long way. You just need to know what to focus on.
6 key home improvements that will help you sell your home faster
How fast your house sells depends on several factors. Selling in one of the best Vancouver neighborhoods will work in your favor - an attractive location will bring in more buyers. But selling at the wrong time of the year is almost guaranteed to add a few weeks to your timeline. Then there's the question of how many other homes are for sale in the area, which real estate agent you're using, whether you've set the right price, and even just pure luck - a million little things to take into account. You won't be able to influence many of these factors, so give yourself an edge and make your home the best that it can be before listing it.
#1: A fresh coat of paint
One of the easiest and cheapest yet most effective ways to improve your home is by repainting it. A paint job will breathe new life into any room. You can cover up imperfections and stains that have accumulated over time and make the house look as good as new. In fact, you can make it look even better - you just have to choose the right color. Light colors like white, beige, and other nudes will make the space appear bigger and appeal to the broadest audience. But if you're feeling bold, you can go for an accent wall in a bright color or put up some patterned wallpaper; this will add visual interest to the room.
#2: Sprucing up the kitchen and bathrooms
The most high-impact rooms during a showing are the kitchen and the master bathroom. So if you're hoping to sell fast and get the best possible price for your home, these are the rooms you want to focus on. A proper bathroom remodel will really make them stand out, but that can take time and cost you more than it's worth. So you don't have to go overboard - fixing all the minor problems, cleaning thoroughly, polishing the tiles and appliances, and using an air freshener will all go a long way.
#3: Floor treatments
Few things in a house see as much dirt or damage as the floors. But scratched-up wood and dirty carpets will put off any buyer, so don't let them see that - remove old carpets and give wood floors a polish. If you don't have wood floors to show off, then make sure the carpet is presentable; deep clean the carpets you have or buy new ones if you think the expense is worth it.
#4: Door and window upgrades
One of the first things anyone will notice about a home are the doors and windows, so it's important for them to leave an excellent first impression. You can start with repainting the woodwork; this simple and effective solution works just as well on doors and window frames as it does on walls. Next, remove any heavy curtains and draperies; put in something light and breathable instead. The rooms will appear bigger, and you'll get more natural sunlight - both qualities most buyers look for in a home.
#5: Cleaning, decluttering, and staging the home
People are more likely to buy a home if they can picture themselves living in it. That is going to be hard if all your stuff is lying around. Furthermore, non-essential belongings like decorations, children's toys, and kitchen utensils can create unnecessary clutter that makes the home look small and messy. It's best to make sure your belongings are out of sight before showing the house to potential buyers. The perfect solution is to rent storage: not only will you have a place where the safety of your items comes first to put things away, but you'll also make the moving process after the home is sold easier. Once you've decluttered, clean the house thoroughly and make sure to get rid of any lingering smells. Finally, for the best results, stage the home to present it in the best possible light and make it look inviting.
#6: Enhancing curb appeal
If you're selling a house and want to compete with the rising popularity of condos, you need to think about the entire package. Remember - your home is not just the interior. In fact, the outside is the first thing any potential buyer will see, so make sure the house looks good from the outside too! Paint the outside walls, spruce up your front porch, clean the driveway; you may even consider planting some flowers. This will add to the overall appeal of the home.
Other small home improvements that can help sell your home faster
To truly make the most of these improvements and quickly attract real estate investors, you can also try:
● airing out the home before a showing to make sure it smells clean and fresh
● cleaning areas most people skip like gutters and drains to leave a better first
impression
● baking before an open house to endear yourself to potential buyers
● getting some work done in your front and back yard to add to the overall value of the
home
● cleaning the garage for an additional selling point
● doing minor repairs around the house so that the taps don't drip and the lights don't
flicker
Are home improvements worth the investment when you're trying to sell your home faster?
Individually, none of these home improvements require a lot of time or money, but together, they can put a bit of a dent in your bank account. So are they really worth it? The short answer is - yes. They will help you not only sell your home faster but also sell it at a higher price, so really, they pay off in the end. But it is ultimately up to you and where your priorities lie. If you want to save money, time, and effort, you can forego home improvements. However, in that case, your house may stay on the market for a while!