Fast And Easy Updates To Help A Home Sell

A great way to boost your home's selling power is to make small and affordable updates throughout the home. These quick updates and fixes will help make your home more inviting to potential buyers and a potential sale.

Spruce Up The Front Door

Spruce up the front door by touching up paint (either paint over chipped or fading paint, or change the color completely), adding a kick plate, changing out the hardware, or you can replace the door completely. A new front door can add energy efficiency and additional security if you choose a metal door. Making the front door pop not only adds a special touch to your curb appeal, but potential buyers will notice a door that's been taken care of.

Freshen Up The Kitchen

Kitchens appeal to so many buyers. If you don't have the time or budget to overhaul your kitchen, don't panic. If you have nice wood cabinets, consider adding a coat of paint to freshen them up. You can also add new hardware (knobs, handles or pulls) to help give cabinets a younger look. Adding a new faucet to the sink is another way to give a kitchen a new vibe. If you have the time and budget, consider changing any flooring that is chipped, cracked or broken. Vinyl flooring is economical and affordable, and it's available in a number of types and styles to suit any kitchen design.

Tidy Up A Bathroom
Update within reason of your budget and time: replacing the vanity, counter, sink and faucet can be a quick fix that is also budget friendly (some home improvement stores have entire kits available for this). If this doesn't fit your budget, consider painting the vanity and replacing the hardware and faucet. Other updates that can be done in the bathroom: change out a toilet (you can usually find energy efficient toilets at local home improvement stores), update a showerhead, and replace any vanity or overhead lighting for more modern and energy efficient options.

Update A Staircase

Many staircases are located just as you enter a home, which means they are a focal point and something buyers look at and judge the moment they walk into a property. Fix any broken or loose steps and evaluate the railing; refinish a wood staircase, replace a broken railing, change outdated balusters and, if the stars are carpeted, clean or replace the carpet.

Jazz Up A Fireplace

Whether it's gas or wood, many homes have fireplaces, and many buyers love them for their purpose and as focal points. You can paint and transform outdated brick or add ceramic tiles to add color. You also have the option of adding budget-friendly artificial stone veneer or natural stone. Mantels are a large part of fireplaces - add, update or replace a mantel with wood, stone or marble. An updated fireplace and mantel can help any home sale.

Light Up The Yard

Lighting can take the exterior of a home from drab to fab and add a ton of appeal. Update any outdated outdoor lighting fixtures, especially those that no longer work or are broken. Consider adding additional outdoor lighting in the way of lamppost or path lights, and if you live in a sunny climate you also have the option of solar lights.

Organize A Closet

Buyers will go through cupboards and closets, and a cramped bedroom closet can be an issue with some buyers. If your closets are stuffed or poorly organized, buyers could be turned off by it. A quick and budget-friendly fix is a closet organizer. Organizers come in a variety of options, from wood and plastic-laminate to wire, and most are DIY, which cuts down any installation costs.

Make An Attic More Usable

Most homes have some kind of attic, whether it be a small crawlspace that's barely accessible or a large attic area accessed by a staircase. Make sure your attic area is accessible: if it's not, add a ladder and insulate the door for better energy efficiency. If your attic area is just studs, add a plywood floor to make it more accessible and ready for storage. By adding a couple extra things to an attic area, you're adding usable space and making your home more marketable to potential buyers.

You want to sell your home and you don't want to spend a fortune updating it. Small fixes can be the ticket to a quick sell, or they can help a home that's been sitting for a while finally get some movement.