How Sellers Can Update Their Aging Homes

It takes a certain eye to see the beauty of an aged home. Most homebuyers won’t look past peeling paint or dated wood paneling. It goes without saying that sellers who own old homes should revamp them. This way, they can attract as many buyers as possible. Simple renovation projects can turn an old home into a buyer magnet. Advise your sellers to try these projects if they want to gain a competitive edge over other sellers. DIY experts can carry out the projects on their own.

Paint the Walls

Painting is one of the most tackled DIY home improvement projects. It is inexpensive and can give a home a brand new look. Tell home sellers to replace dated paint or wallpaper with neutral paint. They should avoid bold colors which distract buyers and personalize spaces. For the best outcome, they should hire painting experts. There is more to painting than just applying color on walls. A bad paint job will be easily noticed by buyers while a good one will enhance the space. Homeowners who are good in painting can paint their homes. However, they should focus on one room at a time.

Add Crown Molding

This is one of the best remodeling projects because it adds beauty and value to a home. Crown molding is one of the features that stand out to buyers. If done well, they will think “This home is beautiful and built well.” While most old homes have beautiful crown molding, some lack the architectural detail. Advise your clients to consider their home’s style, ceiling height, and décor elements when choosing crown molding as they’ll be sure to choose the right one.

Spruce Up the Kitchen

The kitchen is the hub of a home and a beautiful one can entice buyers. Sellers should update their kitchens by getting new faucets, changing the lighting, and giving cabinets a makeover. Thermofoil cabinets, chrome faucets, and bright lights make kitchens warm and inviting. Refacing cabinets is a better alternative to buying new ones which are costly. Many companies can replace cabinet doors and drawers and refinish cabinet boxes at a fair price.

Refurbish Bathrooms

Next to kitchens, bathrooms are the most important rooms to update. Just like kitchens, they can be renovated without a lot of money. Tell sellers to install fixtures like new toilet seats, pedestal sinks, and faucets. They can also update old flooring with tiles and regrout tiles around bathtubs and showers. These features are easy to install and make a big difference.

Install Energy-Saving Appliances

Some home appliances – washing machines, refrigerators, and dishwashers – can wreak havoc on electricity and water bills. They account for a big percentage of a monthly utility bill. Old homes have old appliances which spend more energy than newer models. Electricity experts say that appliances that are more than 10 years old hog energy.

No buyer is willing to buy a home with high energy bills. In fact, some even ask for the utility bills before they make an offer. Tell sellers to buy Energy Star appliances which use less energy. These not only save money, they are also good for the environment. Energy Star appliances are so good they exceed the energy efficiency levels set by the government.

Improve the Entry

First impressions matter to buyers. As they drive by a home, they judge it from what they see outdoors. Home sellers should buy new front doors or paint their old ones. A new door can radically change the look of a home and also augment curb appeal. They should also replace house numbers, repaint the trim, and install new lighting fixtures.