Sew seeds of success early in your sale process with staging

What does having ‘Good Bones’ even mean? In the real estate world it means not having any major issues or defects that could lead to expensive repairs. Okay so what constitutes good bones in a house then? It’s what lies beneath the surface…it’s the homes foundation and structural and mechanical systems. Asking questions like does it have good wiring, like new plumbing, good drainage, no cracks in the foundation and walls, problem free roofing and an overall sensible floor plan with good use of space, will give you an idea of a house having ‘Good Bones”.

So a good rule of thumb when looking at a potential home purchase is to not get too caught up in the decorative details, although they can be charming and beautiful or outdated and grungy, but rather, take a good solid look at what’s beneath the surface…the foundation, structural and mechanical components of the home.

Check out these tips for maximizing your dollar when selling your home.

If you’re thinking of selling in the relatively near future, you need to spend your update budget where you’ll get the most bang for your buck. The following updates will net you the biggest increases in property value AND the highest ROI…return on investment.

1. Landscaping: Curb appeal is very important when thinking about selling and mature plantings can add the needed power punch that can translate into an increase in property value of 5-10%. So think about and begin landscaping long before putting your home on the market.

2. Garage Door Replacement: Do you know that an average 2-door garage door replacement costs around $3,600 and nets back around $3,500? That’s an incredible return on investment plus it boosts the homes’ curb appeal! (there’s that word again!)

3. Kitchen Remodel: Most home buyers are looking for bigger and better kitchens than they already have which makes updating your kitchen prior to selling a smart move. Even a minor remodel can return around 80% of the money you spend on an update. Budget friendly things like replacing fixtures, installing a new sink and redoing the lighting can have as much a positive impact on ROI as can the bigger ticket items!

4. Replacing Windows: Many buyers understand the savings of having energy efficient windows. So replacing those outdated windows with new ones not only will get you back over 70% of what you spent but is a fantastic way to attract buyers. Sounds like a win-win situation!

These are just a few updates that could potentially improve the value of your property. Some improve your property value more than others which is why you need to do your research and identify which updates will pay off the most in your market area.