The first thought on most homeowners’ minds when considering selling their houses is how much they can make from the sale. As most people know, regardless of the market and appraisal, the buyer is the one who determines the value of a home. Therefore, any upgrades you make need to have the potential buyer in mind, even if you don’t plan on selling your house for another few years. So what is the current buyer looking for?

You only get one shot at a good first impression so tackling curb appeal needs to be your first focus. A large portion of your curb appeal (after the lawn) is most likely going to be your garage door. It’s our personal opinion that a front-facing garage is an eyesore to begin with so we recommend diverting a buyer’s eye away from it. If your door opens manually, still has the dent in it from when your kid first learned how to drive, or has curtains in the windows – consider upgrading to a new door that is neutral in color with a garage door opener. The door doesn’t need to be a fancy carriage house style door, you can actually buy the magnetic accent pieces at any home improvement store.

While on the topic of doors, make sure the front door is inviting. White doors with half moon windows are a thing of the past. Check out a craftsman style door and paint it a bold color (but remember, if you have shutters you must paint them to match). AND most importantly, keep up your yard! Dig out any unruly shrubs and plant some low maintenance flowers and greenery. Mow and edge on a regular basis, especially before listing photos, showings, and open houses.

Now that you have the buyer’s attention to step across the threshold, you need an interior that keeps the buyer engaged. Kitchens and bathrooms are the biggest selling points of a home. A major kitchen or bath renovation can be pricy, but you can get away with minor updates for a big return. For instance, paint and appliances can go a long way. If your cabinets are too outdated to hide underneath a fresh coat of paint, we suggest checking out the Diamond cabinets at Lowe’s. We upgraded our cabinets for less than $2,000. Either way, it is also important to have matching stainless appliances.

If you opt for a bathroom renovation, make sure to put more focus on the master bathroom than any guest bathrooms. A walk-in shower larger than 3′ x 3′ with a dual vanity is ideal in the master bathroom. In the guest bathrooms, replace any shower wall surrounds with subway tile. Check out some of our bathroom renovations in our portfolio for more ideas!

Before you run through a wall like Chip Gaines on demo day, make sure to contact a professional to help decide which renovations will give you the most bang for your buck.

Looking to renovate your home? Contact Travis at 843.261.4838 or TMercer@HeartPineHomes.com

Looking to sell your home? Contact Danielle at 843.697.4715 or DMercer@HeartPineHomes.com