When your kids move out, you suddenly realize just how much space you have in your home. Sometimes, all that space comes in handy, especially if loved ones are constantly visiting or you work from home. But at other times, the extra room is pointless. This leads many people to consider downsizing and selling their homes. If you’ve decided to downsize and put your home on the market, here are some hidden ways to increase the value of your home so that you’ll get every penny your home is worth.
Cleaning and Repairs
When potential buyers first look at your home, they see the big things, such as a freshly painted exterior and the height of your ceilings. Small things like cleaning and repairs often go unnoticed, but they still make a big difference in how people perceive your home. Clean each room, clearing out clutter and making sure everything has a specific space. Make sure to clean windows as well so that plenty of natural light can get in. And even though there are many people coming in and out on tours, try to keep the floors clean as well. You want people to be able to envision themselves in your home; people don’t want to imagine themselves in a dirty house.
People also don’t want to come into a home that needs tons of repairs. While some potential buyers won’t mind a project or two, you should try to ensure that you repair anything obviously broken before any tours come through. And if you have to leave something broken, know that it can affect your asking price.
Risk Protection
Buying a home isn’t risk free. Natural disasters happen, and potential buyers know that, especially if you live in an area prone to flooding or tornados. However, to increase your home value and entice buyers, you can take preventative steps to guard the property against these risks, such as waterproofing your home in case of flooding. While these measures can’t keep bad things from happening to your home, they will attract potential buyers who would much rather have a protected home than one they’ll need to make constant insurance claims for.
Energy Improvements
Unless you’re living off the grid, you’ll need to face energy bills. Potential buyers will expect to pay for the energy it takes to keep a home running. But if you make energy improvements that will save them money, they’ll be more likely to choose your home over another one. Don’t invest too much money into these improvements since you won’t get to enjoy them. However, small changes like installing a smart thermostat and low-flow showerheads are worthwhile additions that’ll increase your home’s value.
Some of the hidden ways you can increase the value of your home include cleaning and doing repairs, adding risk protection, and making energy improvements. While most potential buyers won’t immediately notice these home improvements, they’ll still increase your home’s value and help you sell it so that you can downsize into the right house for your next phase of life.
