A recent Zillow survey found that most people — 81% — reported spending more time at home this year compared to the same time last year. You might be feeling a little stir-crazy, but other people are taking the opportunity to tackle home improvement projects. Maybe you’ve decided to change up your space for your personal enjoyment or comfort, create a friendly work space, but if you’re a homeowner looking to sell, it’s important to consider which projects will not only look good but offer the best return for your time and effort when your home sells!
By better understanding the associated costs, you can decide whether it’s worthwhile to do it yourself, or call in a pro. Keep in mind, in Arizona, handy-man work can be hired out but not to exceed $1200.00
Whatever route you take, a few well-chosen updates could improve your home’s appeal and value. Zillow data finds homeowners who make at least one improvement are more likely to sell their home above their list price than those who don’t make any improvements: 23% vs. 17%, respectively. With sale prices climbing and homes selling at their fastest pace here in the Valley of the Sun in more than two years, this may be a good time for would-be sellers to start prepping their homes for listing and a quick, high price offer!
First impressions go a long way, especially since buyers are now spending more time searching online for homes. Listing photos are going to look better if the home appears well-maintained. If the small things are taken care of, the assumption is that the bigger things that aren’t visible have been taken care of too!
Here are 5 DIY projects that could help increase your home’s value:
Upgrade your lights!
Good lighting can bring out the best in your home. Updating old fixtures and adding dimmer switches are fairly simple upgrades. You could also consider replacing your fixtures with smart lights controlled by an app, which can help you save on your energy bill and sell your home faster. FACT: Zillow research finds homes mentioning smart lights in their listing description sold seven days faster than expected.
If you want a professional installer to do the job, Thumbtack finds the average cost is about $380.00
Replace your faucets:
Whether your look is modern or traditional, a new faucet can enhance the style of your bathrooms and kitchen! Make it a touchless faucet for added appeal, as COVID-era buyers increasingly look for smart features that will keep their homes germ-free.
With attention to detail and a tolerance for tight spaces, you can handle this job yourself, but if you’d rather leave the under-sink contortions to a pro, Thumbtack finds, on average, you can expect to pay about $205.00 to replace bathroom fixtures plus the cost of the fixtures themselves.
Landscape smartly:
A desire for more outdoor space (if you have the space to spare) is the top reason people say they would consider moving as a result of social distancing recommendations, according to a Harris Poll survey conducted for Zillow. There’s no better time to spruce up your yard and create the functional, beautiful outdoor space buyers want. A nice BBQ area goes a long way here in the Chandler area.
If you don’t like getting your hands dirty (literally), expect to pay about $2,600 on average, according to Thumbtack, for a professional landscaping business to clean up your yard, which typically covers mowing, pruning, weeding, planting new flowers or shrubs, and adding new soil, mulch or bark dust. Zillow research found homes mentioning landscaping in their listing description can sell for 2.7% more than expected, so depending on the value of your home, it could be a worthwhile investment.
Add a fire pit:
Now that you have a nicely landscaped yard, go one step further and install a fire pit to create a family-friendly backyard hangout. Listings mentioning a fire pit can sell for 2.8% more than similar homes, according to Zillow research. Interestingly, that sale premium is higher than homes mentioning an outdoor fireplace or a chimenea. An added bonus: This is a DIY the whole family can help with!
Paint your front door (and more):
A freshly painted front door can boost your curb appeal alot, and if you’re thinking about selling, you may be surprised by the winning color when it comes to the ROI: Homes with black front doors can sell for up to $6,000 more than similar homes, according to Zillow research. I know! A dark color is the new fad!
If it’s in your budget, consider painting the whole exterior of the house a fresh, light color to create a great first impression. In a survey of Zillow Premier Agents, 77% recommended sellers paint their home. Thumbtack finds the average cost of exterior painting is $2,535. depending on the size of your home of course!
Contact me today for a free, no obligation consultation regarding what improvements you can make to your home this Fall to command an even higher price for your home when it’s your time to sell!
