Trying to sell during the COVID-19 pandemic and looking for some low-budget home renovations that will pay off?
Despite the pandemic, house sales boomed in the Chattanooga area in 2020. Many homebuyers are looking for turnkey properties, so a little TLC can make a big difference in getting your home sold. Here are some expert tips to get the most bang for your buck.
Deep cleaning
Dirty baseboards, soap scum or hard water stains in the bathrooms, scuffed doors and cabinets, dust bunnies and cobwebs in corners, dirty windows blocking views, driveways and sidewalks in need of pressure-washing and dead flowers in old pots littering the walkway can affect the all-important first impression of your home for potential buyers.
This is by far the least expensive improvement, yet it makes a huge impact. You need just a little time or elbow grease.
If you’re short on time, invest in a one-time cleaning service, a professional pressure-washer and a window washer.
Front door/outdoor lighting
The front door is the first thing a potential homebuyer will interact with, so sprucing it up is worth the investment.
Could your front door benefit from new hardware, knockers or a fresh coat of paint?
And shining outdoor lighting on your home, walkways and path can brighten opportunities to impress homebuyers.
“During winter months, it gets dark early, and Realtors show houses in the evenings. Houses lit up pop much more than the house next door,” says HBAGC member Joe Bozich, owner of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives.
“Outdoor lighting is a bargain that will increase your curb apparel, security as a deterrent to prowlers and safety from trip hazards. It makes a home that seems average during the day look spectacular at night.”
Minor kitchen, bath upgrades
Outdated kitchens and baths can lower the value of a home. Updating cabinets, countertops and lighting fixtures and adding fresh towels and decor can make your home more appealing and speed up your selling process.
The great outdoors
As people spend more time at home, they’re looking for creative ways to expand their living space and make the most of their homes.
Fire pits, outdoor kitchens and gathering areas, and fish ponds or fountain accessories all can make a backyard a more inviting oasis.
Professional landscaping especially can turn a small area into an inviting private backyard getaway for potential buyers.
Home office
With the changes in lifestyles from COVID-19 and so many people working and schooling from home, a home office is now a necessity for many people.
A designated space for an office was once thought to be on the way out of home trends, but the pandemic has changed that.
A private area to take Zoom calls without interruption from the dog or kids wouldn’t have crossed many potential homebuyers’ minds before, but now will be a strong necessity for many prospects.
For professional help with your building, home improvement and remodeling needs, visit the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga at HBAGC.net.