Selling a house? While a killer view, a great layout or a star school district are all terrific assets, pros know that there are simple improvements that can help any home sell faster and for a higher price. Here are seven smart home upgrades that will have buyers stampeding to your front door. Bonus: If you’re handy, you can do some of these home upgrades yourself.
- CHANGE UP COLOR
Most sellers think “bright white throughout,” but you might be missing an opportunity to be more emotionally evocative… and get a higher sale price. According to Consumer Reports, sellers can earn a premium of over $1,000 by painting their kitchens a warm, neutral yellow like wheat, as these hues boost happiness. A soothing bedroom color like light green will reward you as well. Of course, off-putting colors can have the opposite effect: Dark brown bathrooms and orange living rooms sell for less than their more appropriately hued counterparts.
- AN UPDATED KITCHEN
If your kitchen is looking dated, there may be some small things you can do yourself. Some new cabinet faces, flooring and hardware can go a long way for a relatively reasonable price and can offer great return on investment. Replacing appliances? Go for desirable stainless steel, and look for “smart” connectivity, which can serve as another appealing feature for buyers who are looking to get in on the smart home trend.
- NEW FLOORING
New flooring can make a room feel more expansive. Solid hardwood has always been the gold standard, with a price to match. Engineered flooring is more cost-effective — its plywood core with a hardwood veneer gives it the look of solid hardwood, and it’s more resistant to heat and moisture. Allergy-prone buyers will especially love floors that they can mop and sweep in place of carpet. Unless you’ve got a lot of experience and DIY know-how, it’s best to have a professional install new floors — the investment is definitely worth the impact it makes in a room.
- SMART THERMOSTATS
Smart thermostats appeal to many home buyers because of their accessibility and the savings they offer. On average, a smart thermostat can save homeowners about 10 to 15 percent — or about $131 to $145 — on your annual energy bill, according to Nest. Smart thermostats work by kicking into gear when they “see” you’re home, and automatically shifting into “away” mode when they recognize you’re out. You can even control these heating and cooling systems via an app, allowing you to monitor and change the temperature from anywhere.
- A SECURITY SYSTEM
Installing a whole new security system may seem daunting. In reality, many systems install in seconds and require no pre-wiring or drilling. In a matter of minutes, you can attach the door and window sensors, wall-mount the glass break sensors and set up cameras. Before you know it, you’ll be done arming your house with a DIY security system, which will provide future homeowners with peace of mind.
- A GARDEN OVERHAUL
Water conservationists will appreciate a pea gravel, tumbled stone or native ground cover on the front lawn. For areas that won’t grow, try artificial turf, which can look very similar to a real lawn. Additionally, a small fruit tree (or two!) can add lots of curb appeal. Many cities offer free mulch or shade trees for little or no money— call your city hall to find out.
- A SHED
If your house has limited storage area, adding a sturdy shed can be an easy space-expander or a great spot to store outdoor equipment. Sheds are a great add-on because of their versatility. And if you spring for one with a window, it could even be used as a work room.
A little renovation for a lot of return? Now, that’s a smart home.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Owners.com, Altisource or any other Altisource® business or entity. The foregoing content is not intended to constitute, and in fact does not constitute, financial, investment, tax or legal advice by the author, Owners.com, Altisource or any other business or entity.
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