With historically low interest rates and a flood of buyers on the market, there may be no better time to sell a home.
While today’s real estate market conditions unquestionably favor those looking to sell, that does not mean homeowners should take things for granted. Buyers still want to purchase quality houses that will feel like home. Fall is a great time to make subtle home improvements that will give your home a fresh and modern appeal for your family to enjoy and give your home some extra appeal when you decide to sell.
Let’s look at ten design projects you can undertake to improve your home’s curb appeal (and the value).
Improve your driveway. The driveway is the first thing people encounter when they visit your home. Pressure washing can clean and create a fresh look. Take the time to fix potholes, repave worn areas and ensure landscaping around the driveway remains clean. You likely will need to hire a professional, but a well-maintained driveway provides an instant positive first impression.
Decorate the front door. Just like your driveway, the front door serves as an early visual entry point for your home. Do simple things like applying a fresh coat of paint, polishing the door hardware, replacing the doorbell, knocker, and kick plate. Adding a welcoming wreath and rug.
Add Outdoor Lighting. Make your home stand out from the crowd by illuminating walkways, borders, and entrances as well as outdoor living spaces.
Revisit your windows. Replacing windows can get expensive but can provide an energy-saving benefit along with aesthetics for years to come. Consider adding larger windows to rooms that may have low light or combining two windows into one large slider.
Create an outdoor living space. It is amazing what some comfy smartly designed furniture can do. During the pandemic, many homeowners invested in patios and decks. Just purchasing lawn furniture and a few outdoor fixtures and adding some plants can create an intimate relaxing space.
Decorate the porch. Like the driveway and the front yard, a lovely porch helps welcome people to the home. If you have one, take time to decorate with flowers, small plants, and even low-level mood lighting. Add a welcoming rug and wreath with the changing seasons.
Change your hardware. Inside the home, simply changing your hardware on your cabinets can create a more modern look that gives your cabinets an update.
Freshen the bathroom. Everyone knows that the bathrooms should be clean before anyone comes to look at a home. However, homeowners may want to think about replacing tiles, updating bathroom fittings, having grout professionally cleaned or even upgrading to a new tub before selling. Consider upgrading your lighting fixtures and replacing outdated mirrors.
Painting is always a good idea. A can of paint is a minimal cost for maximum impact. Stay within one color palette and add lighter and darker shades to create the best visual flow from room to room.
Play with visuals. Aspiring interior decorators can make their home feel larger with a few tricks. Replace heavy closed drapes with vertical blinds or shudders, add a single large mirror to a room to visually double the space, and clear the clutter and carefully select a few pieces of art.
Spruce up the yard. A beautiful yard pays enormous dividends. Fall is the perfect time to add plants, flowers, and trees. Prune bushes, aerate and reseed lawn, and if you are getting ready to sell, hire a landscaping expert to get your greenery ready to go.
