Sellers sometimes want and/or need to make cosmetic improvements and/or repairs to their home prior to putting the home on the market for sale. Are you one of them? If so, learn about the "return on your upgrade investment" before spending too much on the improvements or repairs that do not get you the biggest return from a successful sale.

For instance, kitchens & bathrooms are rooms that sell homes. Sellers who update or upgrade these rooms bring the biggest and best return for their dollar spent on these improvements. Spend some money and time modifying the kitchen and bathrooms, before "improving" another room. Reface kitchen & bath cabinets and counter tops before adding a fireplace to the family room or installing a large outdoor deck.

Next, and just as equally important for a successful sale, is curb appeal. Yes, you've heard it before and it is oh-so true! You need to entice Buyers into your home. If it doesn't look updated, well cared for and inviting on the outside, Buyers will be reluctant to see the brand new kitchen inside.

As a Seller the objective is to spend your money wisely, not foolishly.  Reface kitchen & bath cabinets and counter tops, update kitchen & bath floors and faucets.  Consider a new bath/shower surround and doors, and get rid of that old, discolored caulking.

If you can do quality work yourself, do it to save yourself some money and receive a bigger return on the improvement. However, if you have never done this type of work before, now is not the time and your house is not the place to learn. Think of the messes "Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor created. Please, pay a professional contractor do it!  Typical returns on most home repairs and updates are approximately 60% to 80%, with a professional doing the work. In the end, when your home is sold, you will not regret having the quality work done.

Check out this Cost Versus Value Report link for more information on the type of repairs you need to do, or the upgrades you want to complete before putting your home on the market for sale. This report identifies the cost of a repair/improvement versus the estimated value and return. 

 
Contact Barbara Jeffries for more tips and suggestions. Together your home will go from Just Listed to Just Sold. 

Good luck!