Whether you are thinking of selling your home in the near future or not, there’s no time like the present to make minor updates in your decor that will increase the value of your Denver home.
According to recent studies, homes will sell faster in today’s market if they have been recently updated instead of not. Buyers are looking for homes that are up-to-date and will want to move into them as soon as possible, so here are some simple ways you can up the value of your Denver home without spending a lot of money.
Give Your Kitchen Appliances Some Love
One of the first things someone sees when they walk into your Denver home is the kitchen. An easy and simple way to increase the value of your home and make it look better is by getting rid of those old appliances and replacing them with sleek models that will make a statement.
For example, if you have an older refrigerator or stove in your home now—even one with minor cosmetic defects—this may make potential buyers think your home is outdated.
Give appliances like these the boot and pick up some new ones for your kitchen. The countertops are also another thing that should be updated if they are old or starting to look worn down. If you want to help increase the value of your home, start by getting rid of all of your old appliances so you can wrap up with a clean look when it comes to the kitchen.
Update the Flooring
Another great way to increase the value of your home in Denver is by updating its flooring. If your floors look worn down or outdated, people will think that’s how they’ll continue to look throughout the house. If you want to increase the value of your home, it’s always a good idea to give these areas an update.
Taking care of the flooring will allow potential buyers to think that everything in your home has been given attention and can be enjoyed as soon as they move in. There are many deals to be found on the carpet, wood flooring, tile, and laminate, so shop around to find the perfect look for your home.
Make Your Bathroom Sparkle
A lot of buyers will turn down a house if they don’t like how the bathroom looks. One great way to increase the value of your Denver home is by making sure that the bathrooms are updated and clean. If you want buyers to see the potential in your home, get rid of any old, worn-down items and replace them with new ones.
Additionally, if there’s a bathtub and shower combination in your bathroom, it may also be time to replace it with a stand-alone shower. This will give your bathrooms an open and modern look. If you’re unsure of what to do, photos can provide inspiration when it comes to giving your bathrooms an update.
Add Some Color in the Living Room or Bedroom
Sometimes all that’s needed is a slight change here and there to increase the value of your home. For example, if you wish to give your rooms a fresh look, you may update their colors. If your walls have been painted with similar colors for years, it might be time to give them an update. A great way to do this is by picking up some paint swatches and trying out some new colors on your walls or elsewhere throughout the house.
See what you like, and be sure to get opinions from friends or family before you make the transition. Another excellent way to increase the value of your home is by adding some color in other places around your house, such as in rugs, lamps, curtains, or other decor items. This will keep things looking fresh while still making it possible for potential buyers to visualize themselves living in your house.
Set the Stage for Curb Appeal
If you want to increase the value of your home, curb appeal is vital. Many buyers won’t even bother looking at a home if they don’t like what it looks like from the outside. First impressions are important, so make sure that your exterior doesn’t have dead plants, old furniture, or other items that correctly send the message that you haven’t cared for your home.
Another way to increase the value of your home, make sure everything is looking new and fresh. Also, if there are cracks in your sidewalks or driveways, it’s a good idea to repair them as soon as possible. This step might seem small, but buyers will appreciate the attention to detail and overall care you’ve put into taking care of your home.
Level Up Your Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is a term used to describe how a potential buyer feels when they see a house from the curb. If this first impression isn’t favorable, chances are they won’t be interested in checking out the place further. Therefore, it’s essential to make sure that your home looks inviting from the outside by adding plants, flowers, and furniture to your front yard.
If you want buyers to see the potential of your home, make sure there are no dead plants or clutter on the porch or at its base. If you have a deck, be sure to add some furniture and make it look inviting by adding flowers or another décor to it. In other words, ensure that your home looks clean, well kept, and ready for potential buyers to walk through the door.
Clear Out Unwanted Items
If there are items in your home that you don’t want to take with you when you leave, you can increase the value of your home by putting them in storage or until the time comes to sell.
For example, if large items like dressers or couches won’t fit through doors or upstairs, it’s wise to put them away until the house is sold. If you have a garage, that’s an excellent place to put these items.
Make Your Move
If there are many things that need fixing or updating in your house, it may be best to wait until after the sale is finalized before attempting any large-scale renovations.
This way, buyers will see your home as valuable and not in need of repairs. If designated areas like kitchens and bathrooms are looking a little outdated, consider updating them with items that will be sold with the home or adding new ones that can easily be removed if necessary.
Show Off Your Favorite Spaces
If you want to increase the value of your home before putting it on the market, it’s good to demonstrate what sort of use potential buyers can get out of it. This will make them see the home as valuable and prevent them from focusing on less flattering aspects like unfinished or neglected rooms.
Make sure that potential buyers can immediately visualize living in your home by making a list of your favorite spaces and sharing that information with any real estate agents you use to market your home.
Let Your Personality Shine
In addition to making the best of what you have, another way to increase the value of your home is by putting a little bit of yourself into it.
For example, if you have a collection or a hobby that is unique and interesting, consider displaying some pieces for potential buyers to see. This way, you can demonstrate your personality and interests without having to say a word about them.
Be Honest
No matter how hard you try, there will always be aspects of your home that potential buyers will not like as much as others. If this is the case for any part of your house, it’s best, to be honest with potential buyers by disclosing the information in your home’s listing.
This way, they can decide ahead of time whether or not those features will be an issue for them and stop wasting their time looking at houses that don’t meet their needs as closely as other options.
Be Open to Negotiation
When you’re trying to impress a potential buyer, it’s a good idea to be as flexible as you can to meet their needs. For example, if your house is worth $740,000 and a buyer has only offered you $720,000 because they don’t have access to the third bedroom from the main hallway, be willing to negotiate with them by lowering your price or offering them an alternate storage space in the house.
Get Your House On The Market ASAP
If you are trying to increase the value of your home before putting it on the market, one thing you can do is cut your list price down by a few thousand dollars to give yourself some room for negotiations when buyers start coming through.
Just be aware of any time constraints you have before deciding to do this because there may come the point where reducing your list price further won’t actually help increase the amount of potential buyers who show an interest in your home.
Have Your House Appraised
If you want to determine how much it will cost to increase the value of your home before putting it on the market, you can hire a professional appraiser to come to take a look at your property and make an assessment.
Generally speaking, this service will cost around $350 but may vary depending on where you live and how much work your home needs.
Get Your Home Inspected
One way to determine whether or not your home needs any repairs before putting it on the market is by having it inspected. This way, you will know which areas need improvement and whether or not those renovations would be expensive enough to warrant a reduced list price in exchange for increasing the value of your home.
The Home Market in Denver, CO
Homes in the Denver metro area sell an average of 98.6% of list price or above once they are on the market, which is 19.6% more than the national average of selling 87.5% of list price in similar homes.
The higher your home’s value goes up before you put it on the market, the better chance you have at getting the full asking price when you go to sell it.
To help your home get the highest possible appraisal, consider doing some renovations to increase its value and/or obtaining professional advice from someone who can provide an accurate estimate of how much it will cost to improve specific areas of your home.
After all, these are the factors that are most likely to attract potential buyers and provide you with the best chance of getting your home’s full asking price when it goes on sale.
