Tips for Adding Equity to Your Home

We all want to sell our home for more than what we paid for it. There are a number of things we can do to make this happen, including making exterior and interior improvements that increase the value of your home.

The following are some tips for adding equity to your property, putting you in a better position to sell your home in Chester County:

Make a minor renovation

Adding value to your home doesn’t need to be costly or time consuming. A simple coat of fresh paint and an attractive color scheme can put a new twist on an old room. In the living room, aim for colors that will offer a bright, open appearance. A splash of color and well-organized look will strike buyers as inviting and can even make small rooms look bigger.

Make a major refurbishing

If you’re willing to put in a little more work and money, refurbishing a room can make a huge difference in the eyes of potential buyers. Take a room that is outdated or unused and turn it into something that will excite them. Adding a bar to your finished basement will help it stand out, and replacing your old kitchen countertops with granite will give your kitchen a sleek, modern look. Although larger renovations require more time and money, they are typically worth the investment.

Make an exterior remodel

The first part of your home that buyers will see is the outside, but it’s an area that is often neglected. Reroofing your house or adding new siding can make an old home look new again.

Landscaping is also important. Plant some flowers and make sure that you mow your lawn regularly. The goal is to make your house appear welcoming from the outside so that visitors will be inclined to come inside for a closer look.

Make an addition

Making an addition to your home is a great way to increase its value. Adding another bedroom or bathroom will put your house in higher demand and certainly increase its worth. Be sure to keep rooms flexible so that potential buyers can imagine themselves living in the space, and decorate accordingly.

You can also install a deck outside that can be used for entertaining guests. The point is to utilize the space on your property to maximize its potential.

Whether you’re working with a tight budget or have room for major renovations, there are plenty of great ways to add equity to your home. Remember that in a competitive market, every detail makes a difference.

How Good Landscaping Can Help You Sell Your Home

The first thing that potential buyers see when they come to look at your home is your front yard and exterior. First impressions are extremely important when selling a home in Chester County, and a disheveled-looking place can be an instant turnoff for homebuyers. That’s why it’s important that your house has what is commonly referred to as “curb appeal.”

Although it’s often the last thing owners think of when preparing their home for sale, curb appeal can actually add 10 to 15 percent to the value of a property. That really adds up!

There are a few things to keep in mind when addressing the landscaping on your suburban Philadelphia home for sale.

The Lawn: Dead grass can look brown and unattractive. A bright and inviting lawn will make potential buyers excited to see the inside of your home. Make sure to keep the lawn trimmed and well-watered for that clean, green look. Many people who are looking forward to selling a home in Chester County, PA also take to planting flowers in the front yard to really make the house pop and stand out on the block.

Garden beds can also benefit from the addition of mulch, which will create an organized feeling for the overall landscape. Mulch is also an easy solution for people who don’t have time to wait for fresh flowers to grow. Pull out those weeds and give your lawn a fresh new look!

Trees and Shrubs: Though you may not think that it matters, the shape of your home and how clean it appears from the outside really makes a difference when you need to sell a home in Chester County. If you have a lot of trees in your yard, then you might want to consider trimming them. Although trees can be lovely and inviting, they can also cover up the positive features of your home’s exterior.

Large trees in front of a house can make the house look small, so let your house stand out and shape up those shrubs. Once your house is in clear sight, you’ll want it to be as clean and organized as possible. A new paint job or power washing will leave your home looking brand new.

Lighting: While most home showings for suburban Philadelphia real estate happen during the day, potential buyers can certainly drive by for a quick look in the evening as well. Equipping your home with low-voltage lighting along the driveway or patio can create a certain inviting ambiance that passers-by will love.

While taking care of the landscape of your home will not guarantee you a sale, it is the first step toward getting buyers in the door to look at the rest of the house. A clean, colorful exterior will show buyers what they don’t want to miss on the interior and it will help you sell your property in Chester County.

To learn more about how you can effectively sell a home in suburban Philadelphia, contact Liz Saunders, Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Preferred, direct at 484-914-4833 or the office at 610-429-4400. You can also send her an email.