It’s a new year and the gyms are packed. Everyone is wanting to get in shape for the spring or just trying to have a healthier lifestyle. That’s great, but why not resolve to get your house in shape as well? One way to do that is to look at your home as if you were a buyer seeing it for the first time. Does your home have curb appeal or is your landscaping overgrown? Is there any rotten wood or does your home need a fresh coat of paint?
What is the first impression when you walk through the front door? Have you changed the décor since you originally moved in? Are your kitchen appliances twenty years old? Do you have too much furniture? Do you have organized closets and decent storage? Be honest and make a list of what you fix or update if you were planning to sell your home and do some of the work now.
For example, I love my house, but a prospective buyer would most likely be disappointed at the relatively small closets and lack of storage. I know that I need to make effective use of every inch of space. My plan for this year is to have closet organizers installed and add shelving in some dead space in one of the bathrooms. I can help free myself from clutter and I will have turned a negative into a positive when I sell my house in the future.
Go online and check out some of the sold homes in your neighborhood. How do they compare to yours? Do they have granite in the baths while you still have the standard white cultured marble? Do they have newer appliances? Do they have a lot of hardwood flooring or new carpet? How is the landscaping?
Almost every seller wants top dollar for their home. They often have to make changes in order to get that price. Many of the changes made are ones that the seller thought about in the past but never got around to making. Why not enjoy the updates now? Ones that will stand the test of time? If you are unsure of what updates make sense then contact us and we will be happy to offer our opinion.
One of our listing photos courtesy of Cal Mitchner of Charlotte Virtual Home Tours
