Whether you’ve lived in your home for fifteen or fifty years, there may come a day when you decide to put your humble abode up on the market. The thing is, you put a lot of time, money, and effort into making sure you're home looks and functions the way it does — so you’ll want to make sure you're getting your investment back.
If you are thinking of making any changes to your current living space, in an effort to increase its resale value, there are some projects that offer a bigger return than others.
Upgrades to Make
Change Up the Paint
This may seem like a simple task, but the color of a room can make a big difference in how a future buyer sees your home. Maybe you have bedrooms that are currently painted lavender or bright red because that's what you or your children wanted at the time. However, bright colors aren’t always appealing to buyers.
Therefore, consider repainting the rooms in your home to be more neutral colors — beige, gray, or white — so future buyers aren't taken by surprise by any “strange” color schemes.
Upgrade Your Kitchen
Kitchens are often considered the heart of the home — so it can pay off to make a few upgrades. If your budget is on the lower side, make small changes such as replacing cabinet hardware or painting cabinet doors — since these tend to be the first thing people see when they walk into a kitchen.
You also may want to consider upgrading your appliances. Especially if your kitchen is on the older side, your appliances may fall short of meeting newer, more energy-efficient standards. Simply swapping out your refrigerator, oven, or dishwasher can be a huge improvement.
A word of caution: Don't go overboard in making kitchen upgrades. Your kitchen should not be leagues fancier than the rest of your home, as this can actually deter buyers from wanting to purchase your home — they may not want to pay for such an over-the-top kitchen. It's often best to do a little research and see what other kitchens in your area look like so yours doesn't seem overly done.
Finish the Basement
If your basement currently dons unpainted walls, a concrete floor, and is really only used as a laundry room, consider having it finished to appeal to future buyers. The extra space that room could offer to make all the difference if a future buyer can see it as a guest room or children's play area.
Repair Your Plumbing
Does your home still have the same toilet it came with in the 1970s? Do you find yourself dealing with leaking faucets on a regular basis? These are not things that a potential buyer wants to deal with. To combat this, swap out old fixtures for newer, more energy-efficient ones and have plumbing repairs made before you put your home on the market. You should also consider having your water heater replaced as this can help you ask for more money when selling.
Upgrade Your HVAC System
If it's been a while, more than 10 years, since your HVAC unit was replaced, you should take care of it before putting your house on the market. Not only can a newer system increase your resale cost (due to the energy-efficient benefits it offers), but potential buyers may be enticed to choose your home knowing they won't have to worry about the heating and cooling system in the years to come.
If you're in need of heating, cooling, or water heater repair or replacement around Fairfax County, Virginia, trust the experts at Air Treatment Company to get the job done. We always stand behind our work and offer free estimates to ensure you have the best experience possible. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a service.