We buy houses in New Braunfels Texas. Are you thinking about selling your home in New Braunfels? If so, you might be thinking about making a few repairs and upgrades before you list it. A lot of repairs and touch-ups can be helpful and some other changes can be lucrative, paying off in the long run. However, not all upgrades are created equal. There are definitely some upgrades that you should avoid!
Updating and beautifying your home is a great way to get more potential buyers in the door and many of these projects can help you sell your house faster. However, many sellers make the mistake of making too many upgrades or upgrading things that do not increase the property value. Some people even make upgrades that end up turning OFF buyers! Before you take a sledgehammer to the bathroom wall or make a trip to Home Depot, consider making only necessary repairs and only the upgrades that will pay for themselves by substantially increasing your home’s value.
Don’t Add a Pool Unless YOU are Swimming In It
You will not be able to add the price you pay for a pool to the previous value of the home. It doesn’t work that way. We have seen people spend 50-80k to add a new pool, and then hoping that they will get that back when they sell…only to end up only being able to add a few thousand dollars to their sales price. Unless you plan on swimming in the pool yourself for years to come, a pool will end up costing you more than it adds value. Point blank: A pool doesn’t provide returns.
Don’t Get So Personal
Avoid overly customized designs. Your unique style may be perfect for you, but it is unlikely that it will fit a potential buyer as well. This can include overly designed kitchens, bathrooms, and anything else that you consider one of a kind.
Consider toning down bold colored rooms and creating environments that are a bit more neutral. A can of paint is a lot less expensive than a total room redo. Try to keep in mind that you want your home to appeal to as many buyers as possible and turn away as few as possible. And on that note…
Don’t Decide for Your Buyers
If there are obvious repairs or upgrades needed, you can make them or you can provide a credit to the buyers, so they can have things done the way they want. It can be a great incentive when buyers have the ability to decide on the details of the home.
People will be attracted to the idea of choosing their own countertops and lighting fixtures. It allows them to imagine what the house will be like once they get to out their spin on it. Point Blank: Don’t make upgrades based on your own personal enjoyment or taste.
Leave the Basement Alone
Do you have a house with an unfinished basement? If, so… leave it that way. The costs to finish the basement aren’t worth what you will get back. You are far better to discount the price a little instead of spending a bunch of money on the basement.
Plus, many buyers will choose to renovate those areas on their own terms. If you haven’t renovated it while you lived there, there is no reason to do it now that you are trying to sell. Point Blank: An unfinished basement is best left that way.
Make the Space Intentional
Keep the rooms as they were intended. Extra bedroom? Keep it a bedroom, not an office. Let the prospective buyers decide how they want to use the space. A room conversion will only knock down the perceived value.
A 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home will get more traction than a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom + den at the same price. Also, a gym/office/library/breakfast nook can become confusing. Point blank: Plan your space with purpose.
What are the Neighbors Doing?
Take a look at other homes in your neighborhood and keep your upgrades somewhere in the middle. If you go too far with your add-ons, you will be targeting only high-end buyers. And maybe your neighborhood isn’t known for that. In addition, you will alienate buyers who love your neighborhood but don’t want to pay the high price. Point blank: Keep your property competitive within your neighborhood, but don’t take it too far!