Bill Garrison, Realtor, RE/MAX in Venice, Florida, says you might feel resistant to home improvements when it's time to sell. But that decision can sometimes be more costly than the loss you’ll incur on any home-improvement projects. It can mean the difference between receiving no serious offers and multiple serious offers. If you move before you sell your Venice, Florida home, the longer you're home stays on the market, the longer you’ll likely be paying your mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, and other costs. If you aren’t sure which upgrades would generate the greatest buyer interest for the smallest investment, I would be happy to share my knowledge and expertise with you. Following are six of the features buyers want most in a home, with approximate budgets for each: Exterior Lighting: $20 to $250 per fixture. According to the National Association of Home Builders, exterior lighting is the most-wanted outdoor feature. A Venice, Florida home with attractive lighting will grab a potential buyer’s attention before they even step out of their car. Wall lanterns, illuminated walkways, and accented landscape lights make a strong first impression, provide a sense of security, and have instant curb appeal. Energy-efficient Windows: $270 - $800 per window (Including installation). In some polls, as many as 90 percent of homeowners had energy -efficient windows on their home-buying checklists. They not only look great, but Energy Star qualified windows to feature sturdier weather stripping and improved framing materials, reducing undesirable heat gain and loss, and saving as much as 15 percent on energy bills. Eat-in Kitchen: $1,000 and up for installation. Eat-in kitchens are essential for most Venice, Florida home buyers, especially families with children. The kitchen is the heart of your Venice, Florida home, and although the cost of this project can vary greatly, depending on the amount of work involved, it is a feature that can truly give you a step up on the competition for convenience and function. Stainless Steel Appliances: $1,300 - $4,000 for full kitchen packages. While still a topic of constant debate, Stainless Steel is always a safe bet. It’s rust-proof, stain-resistant, bacteria-resistant, and aesthetically pleasing. Most importantly, it’s still in demand as a home feature by many buyers. Home Technology: A multitude of options in a wide price range. Smart Home Technology is high on potential buyers’ lists because of its convenience, efficiency, safety, and energy savings. Thermostats you can control with your smartphone, lights which adapt to your living habits, and state-of-the-art security systems are just a few of the tech products that can increase your home’s value. Hardwood Floors: $2,500 to $6,500 on average (according to homeadvisor.com). Hardwood flooring has a lasting appeal and is a huge selling point for many buyers. It is easy to clean, has long-term durability, provides better room acoustics, and promotes a healthier indoor air quality. My real estate experience in Venice, Florida can ensure the successful sale of your home. If you’d like to know more about how to make your home competitive with other homes for sale in your community or anything else regarding the sale of your home, please contact me and I’d be happy to discuss it with you. If you require the services of a real estate professional in the future, please allow me to outline how I can exceed your greatest expectations.
Curb Appeal
Are you interested in putting your Venice, FL home on the market, but wonder what repairs and touch-ups to do? And then there's bankrolling the work, not to mention sacrificing
weekends to get it done. Slow down. Get a grip. There are some no-cost/low-cost ways to get your home in showing the shape and help you put your best foot, er... house, forward
to prospective buyers. When Realtors and buyers refer to curb appeal, it means the initial impact the home makes when the buyer first views it. Visualize a buyer driving up to
your curb. What would he see? Landscaping in need of work? Many buyers are moving to Florida for the first time and want or expect tropical landscaping. Adding a few palm
trees and tropical Florida-like plants always helps. So what things are important to fix up and replace before you sell? Let's cover them as the buyer sees them, from the
outside, in. Walk across the street from your home and pretend you're a buyer, viewing the home for the first time. From the parking area, glance around the front yard. Note
hedges and trees that need to be trimmed. Are they cut back away from the front door, the windows, and the porch area? This is not only for aesthetics but for safety reasons as
well (a big priority with buyers today.) A safe home is one that has a clear view of the parking area and walkways, free of obstructions and overgrown foliage. What about paint
trim near the front door and on the eaves? Could it use a new coat? Make sure your front door is in good repair, too - including the screen door, if applicable. Buyers' impressions
as they enter the home set the stage for the rest of the showing. Let's go inside the house. The cardinal rule before putting your home on the market is making sure it's clean. In a
competitive sales market, why would an eager buyer waste time viewing a house that needed elbow grease? And a less than spic and span house could also signal that other
maintenance in the house hasn't been kept up - like plumbing that leaks and furnace systems in need of cleaning or repair. Don't forget that a house that doesn't show well will
often take longer to sell, costing you money in the long run.