by Chelsea Springli 
If you are considering selling your home soon, now is a great time to start thinking about the best home improvements to increase your value for resale. To ensure you get the most money for your home, it is crucial that it be in tip-top shape to attract buyers and command the asking price. Don’t underestimate the value that some minor home improvements can add to your bottom line when you sell your home.
Here are some tips about the best home improvements for resale so you get the most money on the sale of your home.
Upgrade Your Garage Door
According to the Journal of Light Construction, replacing a garage door costs on average $4,700 but increases the value of the home by $12,500! This is a great option to upgrade as you’re getting ready to sell your home since you can appropriately list your home for a few thousand dollars more than before.
Don’t Forget the Yard
Do not underestimate the role a colorful row of flowers or a well-manicured lawn plays when people are house hunting. Replace overgrown shrubs with beautiful, flowering plants, and other eye-catching focal points like a stone walkway or paved path to add instant appeal. Curb appeal will end up earning you more than you think on your return. When my husband and I were looking to buy our first home, unmaintained yards were red flags to us. If the outside looks like it could use some work, we assumed that the inside did too. We were right in a lot of situations.
Clever Kitchen Updates
People love a clean and updated kitchen when they are house shopping. The kitchen is the heart of the home and usually is the place where everyone hangs out. Even minor kitchen updates can go a long way in increasing the appeal and the price of your home for sale. Consider updating appliances, painting existing cabinets for a fresh new look, updating your backsplash, or adding a pop of color to your walls.
Spruce Up the Bathroom
When a complete remodel is not an option, spruce up outdated bathrooms for a more modern feel to attract more buyers. Consider re-caulking the tub, re-grouting any old looking tile, and replacing the toilet for a more modern look. Also, updating the bathroom mirror as well as the fixtures will enhance the home for buyers. Adding wall décor and a fresh coat of paint is an easy and inexpensive way to enhance small spaces.
Freshen Up the Walls
One of the most effective yet least expensive updates you can make is to give the walls of the home a fresh coat of paint. New paint not only lightens and brightens each room, but it also disguises any imperfections or defects to make the home look clean and fresh. Just be sure to choose a color that will be appealing to a wide variety of people such as a neutral yet urban gray or white tone. That way whatever your potential buyer’s style is they aren’t distracted but colorful or outdated colors.
Look at Your Floors
If you want to make a big impact with your home improvement dollars, look at changing the floors of your home, especially if you have pets. New floors will give a clean and well-maintained look and gives a good first impression to buyers. Consider making changes that are currently trending, but are also budget-friendly.
Fund Your Renovations
Before starting any project, you need to determine how you’ll pay for the cost. One great option is to use your home’s equity to fund the improvements with a Home Equity Line of Credit, or HELOC. A HELOC works like a revolving credit line, so you borrow what you need as you need it. That way, you can quickly pay off your balance. If you don’t want to borrow against your home’s equity, you can opt for a Home Improvement Loan instead. A Home Improvement Loan from a credit union typically offers a lower rate than a credit card or in-store financing.
Whether you are looking to buy a new home or make some of the best home improvements for resale profits from your current home, know that Alltru Credit Union is here to help. As you’re planning your projects, it’s important to note that you aren’t the only seller trying to make improvements before selling. Around 72% of sellers complete at least one home improvement project before listing their house on the market. The market is competitive, so it’s important to put your best forward to quickly sell your house for the price you want. When you’re ready to start, we’ll be here to help.
