With rising inflation and the increased cost of living — from groceries to gas — home sellers are feeling the pressure as it’s more expensive to get a home ready to sell. Real estate agents universally advise sellers to update their homes before showings. However, faced with rising construction labor and materials costs, many buyers are seeking improvements without a full home remodel. Homeowners who are selling without a realtor, can also benefit from DIY projects for home updates. If you are getting ready to sell your home soon, these are five light-lift projects that can help you get your home on the market, while sticking to a tight timeline and budget. As inflation shifts the housing market, these updates will benefit any home seller.
Deep-clean and declutter
Before any additions or updates, start by getting rid of clutter. Extra stuff can bring down even the most updated and modern home, and sorting, donating, and throwing aways years’ (or decades) worth of possessions is a necessary first step. The easiest way to do this is by focusing on one room at a time, sorting items into categories, and keeping essentials. After you’ve decluttered, it’s time for a deep clean, and hiring professionals will save you time while beautifying every inch of your home.
Go neutral with interior paint
When you have a clean slate to work with, painting can add light and freshness. Rather than selecting a different paint swatch for every room of your house, real estate agents advise using one neutral tone for each area. Grey and beige hues can work well for any home, or room.
Update kitchen hardware and paint cabinets
Kitchen remodels can be high on homeowners’ wish lists, especially home chefs. However, new cabinets, countertops, appliances, and fixtures can quickly add up and will potentially require months of advanced planning before selling a home. A faster update—that can be almost as impactful—is to refresh instead of replace. Cabinet doors may be removed and repainted or refinished, and white hues can appeal to many buyers. Replacing faucets and light fixtures with modern styles in brushed steel or black and adding a tiled backsplash behind your stove can streamline the kitchen.
Give your bathroom some TLC
After kitchens, bathrooms are the next place where buyers notice wear-and-tear and appreciate updates. Painting or adding an accent wall using waterproof wallpaper or tiles are creative touches that can add a spa effect. Fixtures can also be updated along with replacing an outdated shower sliding door with a shower curtain.
Focus on curb appeal
Buyers can fall in love with a home’s interior, but the first step to getting inside is an impactful “curb appeal.” Curb appeal is essentially how a home looks from the curb, and it’s all about creating a strong first impression. Some easy curb appeal updates are painting your front door in a pop color such as red, blue, or yellow. Filling in bald grassy areas with mulch or rocks and adding a pair of potted plants by your front door are other projects that are easy to complete in a weekend.
To make smart updates before selling, consider alternatives to major remodeling projects for a significant impact with less effort.