7 Things to Fix or Upgrade Before You Sell Your Home

If you’re selling a home in Scottsdale, your real estate agent can tell you how much your home is worth – but there are a few things you can fix that will make it worth more or help you sell it faster.

When you’re selling your home, your Scottsdale REALTOR® will walk through and give you suggestions on things to repair or upgrade before you put it on the market. Everything your real estate agent suggests is designed to help you sell it faster or to sell it for more money (or both). Some of the things your agent might suggest include:

A fresh coat of paint – inside or outside – can make a huge difference in what buyers see when they tour your home. If your home has wallpaper, or if the paint is a bit tired and old, it might be time to hire a professional painter to come in and do a quick update.

Buyers aren’t going to see past roof issues, so if there are problems with your roof, fix them now. Check your gutters and downspouts, too – you’ll be glad you did when it’s time for the home inspection.

A full-scale kitchen remodeling project isn’t likely to be a complete return on investment when you sell your home, but minor upgrades and little updates can help you sell your home faster and for more money. Try to replace dated objects like countertops and cabinets; if you can’t, try to refinish them.

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The bathroom needs to be spotlessly clean, and everything needs to be in great working order – no dripping faucets or noisily running toilets. You don’t have to make major upgrades here, either, but try to make sure light fixtures, faucets and cabinet hardware are modern, and that you replace your toilet seat for good measure.

If you have hardwoods, now’s a great time to refinish them. And if you have old, tired carpet, talk to your Realtor about replacing it with tile, laminate or more hardwood – in some cases, and in some markets, buyers just don’t want to deal with carpeting.

While you’re unlikely to recoup an investment in heating and cooling when you sell your home (because buyers see it as routine maintenance, not as an upgrade), it’s important that you do. If you have a swamp cooler and your home is one of the few in the neighborhood without central air conditioning, talk to your agent about what you should do – it could affect your sale.

Buyers love energy efficiency, so if you can make little improvements here and there, you probably should. Think about water-saving faucets, improved insulation and modern appliances – but check with your Realtor before you make any big investments.