Which Updates Will Help Sell Your Mansfield Home?

Mansfield Arlington Real Estate Podcast with John Teixeira

If you are considering selling your home in the near future, you are probably planning on making a few renovations. However, some renovations are more appealing to buyers than others.

These improvements will actually deter buyers when it comes time to sell your home:

1. Too much wallpaper. Buyers don’t want to tear down a bunch of wallpaper in order to paint; they want the walls ready for painting when they move in.
2. Lavish lighting fixtures. You might have a different sense of style than the buyers, so keep it simple when it comes to the lighting fixtures.
3. Textured walls, wall coverings, and ceilings. Many times, people think they are adding value with different DIY textures when, really, they put up too much. You should also avoid murals, permanent wall coverings, or cute ceiling decals that may damage the walls.
4. The wrong kind of flooring. Flooring is expensive to replace and the wrong kind of flooring will be detrimental to your home sale. Buyers want plain, neutral decor when they move in.
5. Too much carpet. Carpet holds dirt and shows traffic patterns. Most buyers do not want to see that everywhere.
6. Bold wall colors. Remember, bright, loud colors are bad; neutral, soft colors are good.
7. Swimming pools and hot tubs. You may enjoy a pool or hot tub but most buyers don’t want to deal with or pay for the maintenance.

Keep the decor light, soft, and neutral.

That said, other renovations will add value to your home and net you more money when it comes time to sell. The top four renovations to make when selling your home are:

1. Renovating your kitchen. Buyers love to see updated kitchens. However, keep in mind that if you spend more than $20,000 on the renovation, you’re not likely to get all of that money back.
2. Bathroom renovations. Everyone likes to have a large, luxurious master bathroom, and buyers will pay extra for an updated bathroom.
3. New flooring. You probably can’t clean your carpet well enough to make people think that it’s new; instead, bring in new carpeting or tile. New flooring is a great way to add value and that new carpet smell will give buyers peace of mind.
4. Curb appeal. When buyers drive past your home, you need to make sure your property makes a good first impression. Plant flowers, trim bushes, and pull weeds. The more organized and orderly your lawn can be, the more appealing your home will be to buyers.

Now, this one is not on the list, but it’s incredibly important not to forget the backyard.

People want to see a yard that they can entertain friends in. A cluttered and unkempt backyard tells the buyer that you don’t take care of your home; a well-cared for backyard with trimmed trees, weeded flower beds, and trimmed grass tells buyers the opposite.

If you have any questions about getting your home ready for the market or about real estate in general, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!