When it comes time to sell your home, there are many ways you can creatively add value without spending big money. Putting in a few thousand or even a few hundred bucks could increase your home’s price tag tenfold. Whether you follow just one or all, Network Real Estate recommends using the tips below to help get the most bang for your buck.
 
Purchase Energy Efficient Appliances
 
One of the easiest ways to add value to a home is by updating the kitchen. And frankly, any update in the kitchen generally pays off. Although purchasing new appliances isn’t exactly cheap, it helps save money for homeowners in the long run. New, energy efficient appliances use approximately half the energy of those models made 15 or more years ago. And since many buyers have new kitchen appliances on their lists of wants and needs, it’s a worthwhile investment for the sale of your home.
 
Update Light Fixtures
 
Replacing outdated light fixtures in your home can significantly improve the aesthetic of your rooms, and best of all, it’s easy to find relatively inexpensive options. Much like appliances, lighting has come a long way in the past several years. Lighting standards established in 2012 have given way to a variety of money-saving, energy-efficient bulbs. Just make sure you choose fixtures and bulbs that provide ample light – potential buyers must be able to see all of your home’s features clearly.
 
Give Your Cabinetry a Makeover
 
Once you’ve updated the kitchen appliances and lighting within your home, you could be left with cabinetry that simply doesn’t match up. However, before you start looking to replace your old cabinets, it’s possible you can spruce them with a little paint and hardware. Just keep in mind that the new homeowners may not agree with bold color choices; it’s best to stick with more universal cabinet colors.
 
Paint Using Neutral Colors
 
Giving your home’s walls a new paint job is one of the simplest ways to add value, especially if they’re in rough shape. Scratches from moving furniture, dirt and grime from animals, holes from hanging photos of precious loved ones –all of these memories are rough on walls! But don’t start picking up swatches and purchasing gallons of paint right away. To make sure you appeal to the varying tastes of potential buyers, it’s best to stick with neutral colors such as eggshell, beige and gray.
 
Improve Curb Appeal
 
The outside appearance of your home is what gives buyers a first impression, so it’s important to keep it a positive one. Make sure your lawn is mowed, your driveway and sidewalks are edged, weeds are removed, leaves are raked and shrubs are trimmed. If your home’s siding and driveway look dingy, consider pressure washing – it can make a huge difference in your home’s appearance. Adding a few potted plants, including pops of color, look great from buyers’ perspectives as well.
 
Before making any significant changes to your home in hopes of increasing your bottom line, it’s important to consult a Realtor. The price of a home is greatly influenced by comparable sales in your neighborhood, and just because you invested a certain amount into your home doesn’t mean you’ll see that return. Network Real Estate has a team of experienced agents who can help guide you in the right direction; contact us today to schedule a consultation.
 
Neal Johnson is a CMCA, CRB, CNE and GRI-certified, licensed real estate broker at Network Real Estate, which has exclusively served a high volume of property sales and purchases in the greater Wilmington area for more than 30 years. With offices at College Road, Historic Downtown and Pleasure Island, Network’s brokers are widespread and well-versed in this marketplace, making Network a preferred real estate company for first-home buyers and beyond.