{"id":68809,"date":"2020-11-16T10:21:51","date_gmt":"2020-11-16T15:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.myewm.com\/?p=68809"},"modified":"2020-11-16T10:21:51","modified_gmt":"2020-11-16T15:21:51","slug":"10-simple-upgrades-that-can-transform-an-outdated-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.myewm.com\/?p=68809","title":{"rendered":"10 simple upgrades that can transform an outdated home"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As potential buyers are having to make lightning-quick decisions based on limited visits or online marketing materials alone, these fixes are no-brainers that buyers will love<\/div>\n<\/header>\n
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Homesellers can spend a ton of money getting a home ready to go on the market, but they don\u2019t necessarily have to. Here are 10 easy ways sellers can update a home\u2019s look\u00a0without spending much cash.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Declutter (and clean!)\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most people have too much stuff. Your clients are moving anyway, so it\u2019s never too early for them to\u00a0start paring down\u00a0kids\u2019 toys, over-the-hill garden equipment and supplies, and a mishmash of garden ornaments and random potted plants.<\/span><\/p>\n

They can clear out overstuffed closets and their full-to-the-rafters garage immediately. Before the property goes on the market, they can scrub everything until it shines, and the\u00a0house smells\u00a0as\u00a0clean\u00a0as it looks.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Amp up the house numbers<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Not finding a property because the address is hiding behind overgrown shrubs and the original house numbers are two inches tall is every agent\u2019s pet peeve. And it leaves a horrible first impression with buyers, too. So, encourage your sellers to install new high-style, high-visibility house numbers. And make sure there\u2019s plenty of light shining on that sharp new address as well<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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3. Make a great first impression\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

There\u2019s a reason \u201cyou only have one chance to make a good\u00a0first impression\u201d has achieved maxim status. Agents estimate buyers give a prospective home about\u00a010 seconds\u00a0before deciding if they love it or hate it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why\u00a0curb appeal\u00a0\u2014 the appearance of the front yard and entrance \u2014 and the first impression of the interior from the entry are crucial. An afternoon spent banishing peeling spots on the wall and trim paint inside and out, refreshing the front door, and replacing fading plantings, fixtures, and accessories (like doormats) is a low-cost, high-impact move.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Upgrade the lighting<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

From the porch light to the dining room chandelier and bathroom vanity strips, if sellers haven\u2019t replaced fixtures recently, old fixtures are making their home look dated and uninspiring \u2014 especially if they aren\u2019t well-coordinated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Simply\u00a0replacing builder-grade, flush-mounted ceiling lights\u00a0(aka \u201cboob\u201d lights) with recessed LED cans and makeup-mirror type bathroom strip lights with stylish sconces is a game-changer. And an eye-catching chandelier elevates even a modest dining area. So, such changes deliver a satisfying amount of bang for the buck.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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5. Install new outlet covers and switch plates<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Like lighting, outlet covers and switch plates can date a home badly. But changing them out is easy and economical. So, there\u2019s no reason to stick with builder-grade ivory plastic, paint-caked covers or outdated metal plates.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If your sellers are having trouble selecting suitable substitutes, you or\u00a0your stager\u00a0can lend a hand. You\u2019re shooting for something that\u2019s updated yet compatible with varied design styles.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Nix dated window and wall treatments\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Elaborate draperies, dated blinds, faux finishes and \u201caccent walls\u201d rarely represent buyers\u2019 notions of \u201cmove-in-ready\u201d homes. Replacing fussy window coverings with the far simpler curtains and blinds favored today is a relatively easy task.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Painting over dated finishes might take a little more time, but it\u2019s worth it to keep prospective buyers from taking one look inside and making a run for it.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Think mirrors\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Baths and kitchens sell houses. So, sellers should plan to update these spaces. They can frame builder-grade bath mirrors or replace them with their more interesting hanging counterparts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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But why have sellers stop there? Mirrors add light and sparkle\u00a0to living spaces and even bedrooms. Advise your sellers to search online and at brick-and-mortar home accessory retailers to see a broad selection of styles and prices.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Update the hardware<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hardware finishes ebb and flow in popularity, just like other design components. So, replacing out-of-favor hardware \u2014 from curtain roads to door hinges and knobs \u2014 is a worthwhile update. Nowhere is that more true than in kitchens and baths, where door and drawer pulls \u2014 or the lack of them \u2014 can scream\u00a0<\/span>so<\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span>last century<\/span><\/em>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Replacing them is simple if sellers choose pulls that conform to the existing installation pattern, and hinges are hidden, so those don\u2019t have to be replaced, too. But even if the seller isn\u2019t handy and has to hire someone to tackle the job, it will be an economic update that pays significant style dividends.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Refresh the backsplash<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Once the hardware is updated, kitchens benefit from reviving backsplashes that have seen better days. Maybe sellers will agree to install beadboard or new tile in a hip pattern. Or, they can do something as simple as cleaning and painting the backsplash in an arresting color. Whatever the chosen material, a shiny new backsplash makes a great impression when buyers first walk into a home\u2019s kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Replace dated or mismatched appliances<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Appliances fail at varying rates and get replaced with models in the newest \u201cin\u201d finish. So, it\u2019s possible to walk into a seller\u2019s kitchen and find the dishwasher, stove, range hood and refrigerator in varied finishes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They may work, but mismatched appliances do not sell houses. Replacing everything with new models in matching finishes is not inexpensive. But appliance and home improvement stores often offer package deals and free financing over generous timeframes. So, sellers who plan to go on the market relatively soon can consider this a cost of sale that gets paid off at closing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Naturally, there are other projects sellers might decide to undertake to maximize their selling price and minimize time on the market. Replacing beat-up flooring and addressing major buyer turnoffs like tile countertops leap to mind as fixes in that category. Before undertaking major updates like that, sellers might need time to think about how to do them best \u2014 and pay for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

But these 10 easy updates are no-brainers. Prospective buyers will appreciate them. Even if the homeowners change their minds about selling, they\u2019ll get to live in an updated house that cost little beyond elbow grease. And, that\u2019s a win-win no matter what happens.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As potential buyers are having to make lightning-quick decisions based on limited visits or online marketing materials alone, these fixes are no-brainers that buyers will love Homesellers can spend a ton of money getting a home ready to go on the market, but they don\u2019t necessarily have to. Here are 10 easy ways sellers can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1401,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"saved","_expiration-date":0,"_expiration-date-type":"","_expiration-date-categories":[],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[5,51],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.myewm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68809"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.myewm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.myewm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myewm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1401"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myewm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=68809"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myewm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68809\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68811,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myewm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68809\/revisions\/68811"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.myewm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=68809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myewm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=68809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.myewm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=68809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}