Home prices are still high, but if you're selling your home this summer, you want to make sure you get top dollar for it. Small home improvements can add thousands to your selling price if you make the right changes to impress potential buyers.
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Most real estate experts agree that staging a home can help it sell faster and potentially increase the selling price.
“Make sure your home is move-in ready, organize the space and consider professional staging,” suggests Kristen Schebe, managing broker and real estate advisor at Engel & Völkers Atlanta.
But once you've cleared out the clutter and rearranged the furniture to make the room feel larger, what's the next step? Experts shared a number of additional steps you can take yourself that could help your home sell faster and increase the selling price.
Fresh paint job
Part of the staging process often involves giving the home's entire interior a fresh coat of paint, and according to a recent survey by Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate, 80% of real estate agents agree that a new coat of paint has a positive impact on a home's value.
“Don't waste time on expensive renovations; something simple like a fresh coat of paint will cost you a lot less money,” says Ginger Wilcox, CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.
Replace old light bulbs with LEDs
Changing a light bulb is something virtually anyone can do. If you haven't done so already, investing in LED light bulbs for your home's lighting fixtures can make your home look even better. Christy Walker, broker and owner of RE/MAX Signature in Phoenix, notes that bright white LED bulbs ensure consistency and brightness in listing photos and home tours.
“When you're touring a home, you see a variety of lighting – burnt out bulbs, yellow lights, white lights – and it creates a disconnect in the buyer's experience,” she said.
At Home Depot, you can purchase a package of four EcoSmart 60-watt equivalent dimmable LEDs for under $10, making for an easy and affordable DIY update.
Upgrade your smart thermostat
Replacing your home thermostat with a smart model allows you to regulate the temperature even when you're not at home, and according to ExplodingTopics.com, 78% of potential home buyers are willing to pay more for a home with smart features.
A smart thermostat is a simple upgrade that can quickly provide a payback in reduced energy costs. “People want smart technology not only because it's more modern and adaptable, but also because it helps them improve their energy usage, and better energy usage means lower energy bills,” said Seamus Nally, CEO of TurboTenant.com.
Landscaping
Nally adds that great landscaping can also increase a home's curb appeal and encourage buyers to pay a higher price for the home.
“Buying a new home often comes with several renovation projects, even if you only count the interior decor of the home. For many buyers, landscaping that already looks great and doesn't require any immediate work is invaluable, as they know they'll have their hands full for a while with the interior decor of their new home,” he said.
Replacing kitchen cabinet doors and hardware
A major kitchen remodel can add more than $26,000 to a home's selling price, according to a study by ChaseRoofInspections.com. But even if you can't afford or don't have the time to spend thousands of dollars remodeling your kitchen, Walker says small tweaks can make a big difference.
“Some homeowners with outdated kitchens choose to refinish or simply repaint their cabinets for a fresh appeal and add updated door knobs and handles for a finished look,” she said.
Add a closet organizer
If you're looking to make your bedroom feel larger, closet organizers are a great value for your money. “Installing a closet organizer is a great DIY project because it's super easy, but it creates the impression that the space is larger and more organized, which is appealing to buyers,” says Walker.
Clean your house thoroughly
Skebe recommended giving the house a thorough cleaning before inviting potential buyers for a viewing. “Make sure the house is clean, including steaming the carpets and deep-cleaning the bathrooms,” she said.
These steps combine to create a “move-in ready” atmosphere that buyers will love. “You want to remove any doubt in the buyer's mind,” says Skebe.
Do-it-yourself renovations can add more value to your home than you might imagine, and they can cost less than you might think.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 7 Small DIY Projects to Increase Your Home's Value