In the last 2 years, we’ve helped our clients by advancing them $1.2 million through Compass Concierge in order to prepare (Paint, Small kitchen remodels, staging, etc.) their properties for sale. We are happy to share that this resulted in more than $3 million in incremental sales. Total sales volume for these properties was $31 million, which means that we helped to add almost 10% to our clients sale proceeds
Do you plan to sell your home in the near future? If so, you likely want to get the most out of your home, so you can invest in more San Francisco real estate :). There are a variety of home improvement projects you can do to increase your home’s value. The best thing you can do is work with a team like ours before you put your house on the market so they can guide you on the best path for successfully listing your home. We are here to help spearhead those projects from start-to-finish should you decide to move fast, or if you're more of a DIY-type, consider the following tips for boosting your home’s ROI.
Concentrate on Rooms which matter most
We found that you should concentrate on rooms that are likely to return the most. A minor kitchen remodel, which includes updating cabinets, flooring, countertops, and appliances increases your home’s value most. Major kitchen remodels also have a high ROI (You probably want to do those before you move, so you can enjoy them), as do remodels of the master bath. We would be happy to advise you on which projects you should concentrate on if you don’t know where to start.
Don’t Forget Little Projects
Sometimes it’s the little things that add the most value to San Francisco real estate. If you can afford it, doing large projects like full kitchen or bath remodels will boost your home’s value the most. However, don’t forget about small projects that can also make your home more in-demand. One of the simplest projects you can complete in your home is to repaint the interior. Freshly-painted walls can make your entire home look fresh and new. If you want to paint yourself, you can get the project done for the cost of a few $25 buckets of paint, or you can hire a professional painter (for a higher-quality job).
Another great smaller project is replacing the garage door. Prospective home buyers will likely be turned off by a door that is scuffed, doesn’t work smoothly, or even appears to be older. The project only takes a few hours, is relatively inexpensive, and is guaranteed to return the investment.
Improve Curb Appeal
Your San Francisco realtor will be the first to tell you that first impressions matter. If you’re going to put your home on the market, you need to make sure a prospective buyer wants to walk through the front door as soon as they drive by or see a picture online. The first area to concentrate on is landscaping. Does your yard look vibrant? Are bushes and trees trimmed and tidy? Are your front porch and door in good shape and newly painted or stained? If you feel like your landscaping is dull or boring, consider planting some bright flowers or repainting your front door red, yellow or green.
Replace or Upgrade Major Appliances
The last thing someone wants when they invest in San Francisco real estate is to have to make major repairs shortly after moving in. You can also upgrade major appliances like refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers. New smart models of appliances are trending and could lead a prospective buyer to choose your home over another that has older appliances.
Concentrate on 'Green' Energy Savings
Consider making energy-efficient upgrades such as installing storm windows (a 12%-33% annual savings on electric bills), replacing light fixtures and bulbs with ENERGY STAR models, and insulating your water tank. Solar panels is a larger investment but potential buyers will really like those. The more you can show potential buyers that your house will be a comfortable and affordable home for their family, the more interest you will get.
Make Minor Repairs
You may not notice there’s a ding in your dishwasher or that the bathroom door always sticks when you open it, but a potential home-buyer will. It always makes sense to walk around your home with your San Francisco realtor so they can point out any areas that need attention. Sometimes just adding a little WD-40 to hinges or touching up paint on door frames can make a huge difference when it comes to successfully showing and selling your home. This might be a fun activity with your kids too. Let them walk through your home and test toilets, drawers, windows, and smoke detectors and identify any areas that could use a little TLC.
The San Francisco real estate market is currently experiencing a seller’s market, but that doesn’t mean you don’t still need to put your best foot forward when it comes to listing your house. When you work with an experienced realtor like Missy Wyant Smit, you can choose projects that return the most on your investment and ensure a smooth selling process.
