When you decide to sell you house in Chicago area house to get the best bang for your buck.
3 Upgrades To Invest In:
Do: Paint
When selling your home, a fresh coat of paint is always a good idea. You’ll be surprised after you’ve got a fresh coat of paint on the house how big of an impact it can have on the overall presentation of the house. If you are feeling ambitious paint is also a good potential DIY project if you can’t spend the money for a professional service.
Do: A Kitchen & Bath Facelift
You might have heard that an upgraded kitchen and bathroom are two of the best areas to focus on when upgrading your home. However, you can do some smaller upgrades that will make a big impact without costing a fortune.
New faucets, drawer pulls and resurfacing your cabinets are affordable ways to revitalize the space. Some appliance manufacturers sell new and alternate colored faceplates.
For example, swapping out the front of your dishwasher to match the other appliances is a great way to save money and tie things together.
You can take the same principles to give your bathroom a quick makeover. Vinyl tiles can go on the floor, right over what you currently have. Do a deep cleaning of the grout, and re-grout if needed.
Fix any cracked tiles or broken hardware. (Wobbly towel racks, etc.) Another option to a complete shower renovation is to install a pre-fab cover. This is much cheaper than doing a whole shower overhaul.
Do: Landscaping
Planting some flowers out front or covering dirt with a pretty, fast spreading ground cover will give your home instant curb appeal. If needed, have trees and bushes trimmed and keep the lawn mowed nicely.
Depending on your climate, you can plant succulents or lay down pretty rocks to keep the space well maintained, but low-maintenance.
Maybe throw a fresh coat of paint on the mailbox or hang up a bird feeder and some hanging plants. Small touches and a well-groomed yard will draw anyone in.
3 To Forget About:
Don’t: Finish The Basement
Refinishing a basement is a major project and often times is much more work than you would initially anticipate. In order to finish most basements, you’ll need to move around the mechanicals on the ceiling (hvac, electrical, and plumbing) as well as in the walls to match the new finished space. This will dramatically increase the cost of your project and require an investment that will be much more than the increase in property value.
When pricing the home, account for the unfinished space and let buyers know that is reflected in your pricing.
Don’t: Add a Patio, Deck or Pool
Again, this can be very pricey, without much return. If you have an open area, use plants or pavers to tidy up and beautify the space. If the new homeowners want to build a deck, they can do so, but with their tastes and specifications in mind.
Adding a pool can cost a fortune, without providing a huge increase in what you will be able to ask for the home. In addition, a pool may actually deter buyers.
Prospective buyers with small children may worry about safety and many people may not want to worry about the hassle and upkeep of maintaining their own pool.
Don’t: Do A Major Renovation to The Kitchen or Bathrooms
Don’t waste your money with a complete overhaul unless it is absolutely necessary due to water or fire damage. The cost does not make sense, especially when homebuyers will have their own tastes. Many homeowners would prefer a credit to the home price allowing them to upgrade on their terms.
In summary: Don’t over-improve… keep it simple!