Sure, there are many things that can be done to increase the resale value of a home when your clients have unlimited time. But, for many of us, work, school, and family obligations take priority, leaving a finite amount of time to spend on home projects. If you have clients who want to make their home more desirable to prospective buyers, here are some relatively quick home improvement project ideas that may help improve value:
Change out the hardware on kitchen and bathroom cabinets
If a kitchen or bath needs updating but your clients don’t want to go to the trouble and expense of changing, painting, or staining the cabinets, consider installing new knobs and pulls on the doors and drawers. It may seem like a small thing, but different hardware can actually change the look and feel of a room. There are many different styles and finishes from which to choose in stores and online, as well as a wide range of prices. Before selecting hardware, homeowners should measure the doors and drawers to make sure the new pieces will fit, especially the length of pulls.
Paint interior rooms and hallways
Applying fresh paint is an inexpensive way to make the inside of a home feel fresher, brighter, and even cleaner. To appeal to prospective buyers, remember that neutral shades often have a wider appeal than bright, trendy colors. If a home has a lot of square footage to tackle, tell your clients to consider hosting a painting party to get friends and family to help. With plenty of brushes and rollers, a fun selection of food and beverages on hand, and some lively music, the painting will go much faster with helpers.
Refresh the exterior
Give the outside of the house a mini-facelift. Paint the front door, shutters, and mailbox in the same or complementary colors. Add some window boxes, planters, or a door wreath for charm. Put a new welcome mat out, and your clients just increased the home’s curb appeal.
Do some digging
Landscaping can add to or detract from a home’s value and appeal. Clean leaves and debris from flower beds, remove dead plants, trim back overgrown bushes and trees, and add new shrubbery and plantings where needed. Look for places to install ground cover plants and borders for added greenery and interest.
Create an outdoor living space
A hot trend right now, outdoor living spaces appeal to prospective buyers and can add enjoyable space for family and friends to gather. Take an existing patio, deck, or porch and turn it into an outside room by adding a weather-resistant rug, comfortable outdoor furniture, an umbrella or pergola for shade, and some container plants. If there’s room, include space for a grill and dining table or add a fire pit or outdoor heater to extend the use of the space as the weather cools.
Deep clean
Clean homes are more attractive to potential buyers. If a home hasn’t had a thorough cleaning in a while, clients can devote a weekend and get the entire family involved. Pull out furniture and appliances to clean behind them, wash window sills and baseboards, sweep under rugs, shampoo carpets, scrub bathrooms, empty the refrigerator to disinfect shelves and drawers, soak cooktop vents, clean the oven, dust blinds, shutters, and ceiling fans, and shine hardwood and tile floors.
Complete delayed maintenance tasks
It’s easy to let home maintenance tasks pile up, but home system components and appliances need regular TLC to keep running efficiently and to operate properly while the home is on the market. Change filters per manufacturer’s suggestion, keep outside HVAC units clean and free of debris, vacuum refrigerator coils, and inspect washing machine hoses for cracks and wear. Adding an HSA Home Warranty can also add value to a home with coverage for some important home system components and appliances that can break down over time. HSA Home Warranties offer a year of budget protection for covered repair or replacements that malfunction due to normal wear and tear and can increase buyer confidence and satisfaction. Contact your local HSA Account Manager to find out more.
With some focused effort and ingenuity, your clients can help increase their home’s appeal and possibly its value in a short amount of time. If they take your suggestions, be sure to compliment their work and thank them for the time they devoted to the projects.