This article was adapted from the Summer 2019 edition of the Family Roo newsletter, where it first appeared.
There are a lot of reasons you may want to sell your home. Maybe your family has outgrown it. Maybe your last child is going off to college and it is just too much, now that you are empty nesters. Maybe a job change is requiring relocation. No matter the reason, preparing your home to fetch the highest price can be a daunting task. With the help of HGTV, we've put together the list of the upgrades sure to get the best return on your investment.
Minor Bathroom Remodel
The average cost to completely gut your bathroom and start over is $10,500. Your resell will go up by about $200 or only 2 percent. Instead, caulk around the tub. If the tub is old, reglaze it instead of replace it. Replace old wall coverings with a fresh coat of paint. You will be done for a fraction of the cost.
Landscaping
The average homeowner spends nearly $5000 between updated landscaping and a designer. You will likely only break even on your investment. Save some money by going to your local nursery and asking for free design services. Add a splash of color and depth to your entry by getting a variety of plants the same color but varying heights. Remove overgrown shrubbery and put in a variety of flowering plants instead.
Minor Kitchen Remodel
With an average cost of the $14,900, the average value added to the home is only $14,600 or 98.5 percent. Consider painting your cabinets yourself. Pay for the more difficult tasks like laying new flooring, installing recessed lights, and new countertop. Other touches include new appliances.
Exterior Improvements
Think vinyl siding, paint, and an updated front entry. A fresh coat of paint is much cheaper than vinyl siding, which comes in at about $7,300 for 1250 square feet. Meanwhile, one gallon of paint will cover approximately 400 square feet. Painting may be the way to go for your budget. When it comes to your front entry, consider updating a tired looking wrought iron railing with an updated wood look or a fresh coat of paint. Entry updates recoup approximately 95 percent at resale.
These are just a few things you can do to help sell your house for the best possible price. There are countless other things you can do to speed up the process, but look at the list and decide what's essential. Then look at your budget to see what you can afford. Keep in mind, the more work you can handle the lower your costs will be.