Dear Olivia,
I always hear that kitchens and baths sell homes. Does that mean I should invest in updating those spaces before I put my house on the market?
Sincerely,
Eager to Sell
Yes, you’re right – kitchens and baths often sell homes.
But that doesn’t mean that you need to spend tens of thousands of dollars gutting those spaces and starting from scratch.
On the one hand, if the right buyer sees the potential in those spaces, they might be willing to buy your home, even if the kitchen and baths aren’t ideal.
On the other hand, if your kitchen and baths are in decent shape but just outdated, you’d be surprised how far a coat of paint on the cabinets and some new hardware and fixtures will go.
So, even though a brand-new kitchen, a new bath, or both would certainly be helpful in selling your home, it isn’t a must for you to do. That’s a myth!
Another myth that a lot of sellers mistakenly believe is that the exterior of the home isn’t as important as the interior.
In reality, buyers will make a snap judgment on your house when they see the exterior, so you need to be sure it’s in tip-top shape.
Again, this doesn’t mean you need to hire a landscape company to do thousands of dollars of work. Instead, focus on ensuring that the yard is clean and well kept, that sidewalks are swept (or shoveled this time of year), and that the siding and windows are clean.
Make the entryway inviting by adding a bench, some seasonal decorations, new house numbers, or a fresh coat of paint on the door. Those minor improvements can make a drastic difference in how your home looks!
A last myth I want to address is the notion that interior paint colors don’t matter. I’ve had sellers say that to me before, and they couldn’t be more wrong!
Moving takes a lot of time and effort, and amongst all that chaos, having to paint the entire house is not something many people want to do.
That’s why fresh, neutral paint throughout the interior of your home is one of the best things you can do stage your home and get it to sell more quickly.
Get rid of all the rich, dark, and crazy colors on your walls and replace them with a crisp white, a light taupe, or a neutral gray. Those colors look great on the walls and they go with just about any decor.
If you have other questions about selling your home, don’t hesitate to contact me at Wind River Realty at 307-856-3999!
~Olivia