Florida Homebuilder Centerline Homes | Real Estate Blog

10 Tips to Increase Your Home Value and Help Sell Your Home

1. Reduce Clutter and Excess Furniture.  This helps to make the space feel bigger even though it's not. Open floor plans tend to make a room feel bigger than larger spaces with smaller rooms. 
2. Take care of the obvious cosmetic issues. The stain on the carpet or the spot on the ceiling from the water leak impacts the value and the offer price. It can reduce an offer by thousands of dollars!
3.  If feasible, move out ahead of time or stay with a relative.  Vacancy makes it easier to show and easier to sell.  Vacancy also helps the buyer walk through the property imagining ownership. If possible remove personal items such as family pictures as well as being absent during a buyer tour.
4. Curb Appeal and Basic Cosmetic Repairs are Important.
   • Fresh paint will always add more value than it costs. Stick with neutral's, nothing exotic. 
   • Landscaping usually adds more value than it costs.  Even some flowers by the entrance helps.
   • Clean or new carpet and flooring typically adds more value than it costs. 
5. Home Condition Affects your Value and Speed of Closing. Do your own home inspection to identify and fix the problem before a buyer does their own.  A failed buyer's inspection could cost you the sale or give them more reason to bargain down your asking price to accommodate for repairs.
6. If you own a pet consider finding them a temporary home while trying to sell your house.  Many people have fears and/or allergies from different animals so it's best to try to keep them somewhere else especially during and in the time leading up to a showing.
7. Remodel or update the kitchen and master bathroom. These two areas have a big impact on home buying decisions. Even re-facing or painting old cabinets can make a big difference. 
8. If you have moved out already, consider staging your home.  This can make the home feel more livable and allow a buyer to envision being in the home.  There are several companies that can help with this and it's often worth the small investment.
9. Smart renovations can dramatically increase your value. Don't spend more money to renovate then you can gain in value on the sales price.  A buyer will usually pay more for a move in ready home.
10. Make sure your home is clean and smells nice. Don't do the obvious things like cook broccoli and fish for dinner.  If you have a pet, make sure your home doesn’t smell like him/her.  Nothing is worse than a potential buyer rushing through your home to get to fresh air.