How to Upgrade Your House to Sell FAST
Every homeowner looking to sell works hard to make sure their homes look their absolute best. This year, that effort could be crucial to getting top dollar. Here are some of our best recommendations for home improvements you can make to help you get the best selling price.
Smart Home Upgrades
Quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive, smart home upgrades can be a brilliant option for adding value to your home. While these upgrades can improve the livability of your space, they can also greatly increase its appeal, as 81 percent of homebuyers said they would prefer to purchase a home with some smart home products already installed, so consider adding a few of these enhancements to your home before listing it for sale.
Smart Thermostat, $100-$300
A smart thermostat helps regulate the temperature of your home while reducing your heating and cooling costs. Installing a smart thermostat can help you save up to 10 percent on monthly heating costs and up to 15 percent on cooling costs. These savings depend on your preferred temperature and the location and size of your home. You can control your smart thermostat from your phone or set it to a schedule so it turns on as you arrive home from work. Set up is typically easy, making it an excellent DIY project.
One to consider is the Google Nest Thermostat ($99 on Amazon). It has all the bells and whistles, including motion sensors that can detect where you are in the home, to adjust the temperature in unoccupied rooms and lower energy costs.
Smart Blinds, $100 and up
You can add privacy and reduce energy loss by installing smart blinds you can control with a remote, an app, or voice command. You can even automate these blinds to open or close depending on the time of day or if someone is home. During the summer and winter, smart blinds help block outdoor temperatures from affecting your home. The cost of smart blinds will vary depending on the size, number of windows in your home, and if you go with battery, plug-in, or hard-wired blinds.
Smart Smoke Detector, $50-$100
A smoke detector is a must-have safety feature in any home. However, a smart smoke detector can provide even more safety because it can sound an alarm while you’re at home and send an alert to your phone if it detects danger, giving you peace of mind while you’re away. Some smart smoke detectors will send a message to your phone when the batteries become low. Installing these upgraded smoke detectors could even get you a discount on your homeowners insurance depending on your company.
Video Doorbell, $100 or less
Add a sense of security to your home with a video doorbell. By placing a video doorbell at your front door, you’ll receive a message on your smartphone alerting you of deliveries or someone standing outside, and you’ll have a saved video clip of any activity. Depending on the type you choose, you may be able to speak with visitors at your door. Some video doorbells will need to be hard-wired into your home’s electrical system, while others will be battery-powered. Most video doorbells cost $100 or less.
Smart Lock, $100-$300
Another way to increase the security of your home is by installing smart locks on your exterior doors. Forgetting your keys will never be a worry again with a smart lock. These devices allow you to unlock your doors through an app on your phone, scanning your fingerprint, or entering a numerical code. Additionally, you can let guests in remotely or give guests like babysitters an access code that you can turn on and off.
Smart Home Security System, ~$500
Just 17 percent of consumers said they own smart home security devices, and 14 percent said they either plan to or would consider buying one, according to a recent PCMag survey. Installing a smart home security system before you put your house on the market gives homebuyers peace of mind knowing their surroundings are protected by an extra layer of technology. Smart home security devices include smart locks and doorbells, outdoor cameras and motion sensors, among other gadgets.
Splurge for the Protect Package from iSmartAlarm($484), a home security system that comes with six contact sensors for doors or windows, five motion sensors for rooms and hallways, and three remote tags for in-home control.
Other Recommended Home Upgrades
While these projects are a little more involved and pricey than installing a Smart Home Device, they can really make a statement to buyers and help get that SOLD sign in the front yard, especially if your home has been on the market a while and hasn’t generated a lot of interest.
Replace Carpet with Hardwood
Many homebuyers favor hardwood floors over carpet. You don’t have to go broke installing new flooring throughout your entire home. Concentrate just on the family or living room; that’s where people tend to spend most of their time. The average homeowner spends less than $4,500 to install wood flooring. Adding a warm brown or light gray stain offers a modern look that can really open up the room.
Paint a Room With the Color of the Year
Make room for creativity with October Mist 1495, the Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2022. This gently shaded sage quietly anchors a space, while encouraging individual expression through color.
Paint Kitchen Cabinets
One way to make your kitchen pop is by painting the cabinets a bold color. Homes with tuxedo kitchens, where light-colored upper cabinets are paired with dark navy or black lower cabinets, correlated with higher selling prices, according to Zillow. This project won’t break your bank, either. Repainting kitchen cabinets only costs about $1,000 if you hire a professional.
One to consider is the Google Nest Thermostat ($99 on Amazon). It has all the bells and whistles, including motion sensors that can detect where you are in the home, to adjust the temperature in unoccupied rooms and lower energy costs.
Design a Statement Ceiling
Installing raised beams or a coffered ceiling around lighting fixtures can make the space pop. This will likely cost several thousand dollars, depending on the size of your space, but it could be worthwhile: A RealEstate.com analysis found homes with exposed beams or coffered ceilings sold for 26 percent to 29 percent more than expected. For a less costly and time-consuming option, opt for paint or removable wallpaper.
Install Terrazzo Tiles
Traditionally made from a combination of marble, quartz, granite and glass chips suspended in a polished cement, terrazzo tile — an Art-Deco style popular during the 1920s to 1940s — is back in fashion. This long-lasting tile is a good choice for a contemporary shower stall. Focus on the master shower for the biggest impact. Terrazzo floor tiles cost roughly $20 to $70 per square foot, according to ImproveNet. Because terrazzo can be slippery when wet, have your contractor apply non-slip additives to the floor.