how to sell my home knoxville Archives

Are you ready to take the next step and sell your home?

There are many things to consider when putting your home on the market, including home improvements and upgrades. Sellers often ask us what home improvements they should make to help get top dollar for their home.

From small updates to major projects, knowing where to allocate your time and money to attract the right buyers is crucial, so that you can sell your home for the most money in the shortest amount of time.

It’s the Little Things

Before buyers even come to see your home, they get their first impressions from the listing photos. Making small changes to the home’s interior can create a cleaner, more cohesive look. Consider having your home professionally cleaned before the photos are taken.

Get rid of faded curtains and/or broken blinds for an instant refresher that won’t break the bank. Replace dated fixtures and appliances to give the house a more updated look. Potential buyers can be easily turned off by small details.

Some buyers may even assume that since the little things around the home weren’t taken care of, there are likely issues with the bigger items, such as the roof, HVAC system, and plumbing.

Paint, Paint, Paint

Painting is a relatively inexpensive way to improve your home’s appearance. Freshly painted walls in neutral colors will definitely enhance the overall appearance of the house. Painting is generally a MUST if there are bright or bold colors that may not be attractive to most buyers.

Keeping a neutral color palette is essential so that potential buyers can picture themselves and their own furnishings in the home. These colors also tend to make rooms look more spacious. If the home’s exterior is faded, consider pressure washing or a fresh coat of paint. Be sure to stick to neutral color combinations outside as well to maximize curb appeal.

Major Projects: Worth it or Not?

While there’s no tried-and-true formula to guarantee that any home improvement will yield a higher selling price, there are definitely some that will help sell a house more than others. For instance, if the roof is leaking, this could potentially lead to more issues during the home inspection, so take care of it before that “for sale” sign hits the front yard.

On the flip side, adding a new media room, steam shower, or pool may not be as prudent from an investment standpoint. Certain upgrades, such as a new HVAC unit, can add significant value and appeal. In Knoxville, temperatures can reach the ‘90s, so many home buyers would prefer an HVAC system in good working order.

Other upgrades that typically yield a positive return for sellers include minor kitchen updates (e.g., adding new countertops), new bathroom fixtures, and new flooring. As a general rule of thumb, avoid major upgrades that are deemed more of an “option” than a “must” when selling your home.

According to Remodeling Magazine, you’re less likely to recoup your investment in a full kitchen remodel than you are in basic home maintenance, such as new siding.

That said, homes with updated kitchens typically sell faster and for more money than comparable homes without them. If you do opt to remodel, whether you plan to sell your home or not, make sure the style and finishes you select match the rest of the home. Again, keeping the overall look somewhat neutral can help command a higher price at the time of the sale.

HGTV points out that, “What you’ll get back on your investment depends on the value of your house, the value of houses in your immediate neighborhood, the housing market where you live, how soon you sell after making improvements, and the quality of the project itself. Installing a $10,000 stove in a $200,000 house, for example, ‘just doesn’t compute.’” Before deciding to undertake any major home improvement, carefully consider whether it’s necessary. Is it something that will actually increase the value and overall desirability of your home? Don’t go overboard!!

Go Green!

Many of today’s home listings highlight green and eco-friendly features because sustainability is becoming more important to home buyers. Which of these types of improvements will help sell your house? One of the most effective improvements is adding energy-efficient windows, which can help recoup up to 70% of the cost when selling a house.

Other popular green features that are desirable to buyers include programmable smart thermostats, energy-efficient water heaters, high-efficiency appliances, and landscaping with native plants that are easy to maintain, which also help improve curb appeal.

In today’s market, especially in the Knoxville area, buyers will pay a much higher price, even over the list price in some cases, to purchase a home that is updated and considered move-in ready. We strongly recommend discussing any potential improvements or home staging ideas with your real estate agent before making any final decisions.

The Holli McCray Home Marketing Group listing team is always available to answer any questions you may have about what improvements to make to help sell your house. Contact us today!

6 Tips to Make People Fall In Love With Your Home!

You’ve heard it before: You only have one chance to make a great first impression! This is especially important when selling your home. Put yourself in the mind of a potential buyer: How will they feel the first time they pull up to your home? Does it scream “Buy me!” or “Drive on by?” The appearance of your landscaping should not be overlooked when placing that “For Sale” sign in your yard. A well-kept lot with neat landscaping goes a long way with buyers. It shows that you care about the property and have taken good care of it. Here are a few tips to help keep your yard looking its best without breaking the bank…

1. Keep it neat!

Mow, trim, and cut should be your three buzzwords here. A little bit of yard maintenance goes a long way. If you can’t handle the maintenance yourself, consider hiring a landscaping company to avoid the perils of a scraggly and overgrown yard. On the same note, be sure that bikes, toys, trash cans, garden tools, etc. are all stashed out of sight.

2. Plant native plants.

Add some new life to your yard with native plants. They’re aesthetically pleasing, practical, and ecologically valuable for landscaping. Native plants are the hardiest plants. Learn more about plants native to the Knoxville area at: http://www.se-eppc.org/pubs/east.pdf

3. Define borders and add mulch.

Clean edges trick the eye into thinking that the entire landscape is neat and well-kept. Outlining the border of a garden bed with spray chalk, followed by the use of a mattock or pulaski to chip away any encroaching lawn, will help create a well-defined area. Afterward, add a layer of mulch to refine the look! It will help keep the weeds at bay while your home is on the market, AND will even out the overall landscaping look.

4. Get rid of the dead weight.

This goes along with our first point but deserves its own mention. Be absolutely sure to remove all dead or dying shrubs and perennials. If there is any sign of disease or infestation in your landscaping, dispose of these items in black trash bags; DO NOT compost them with other yard waste.

5. Inspect sprinklers and irrigation.

You can have the most beautiful yard on the block, but if it’s not watered correctly, then what’s the point? Be sure your sprinkler system and timers are working. It’s the least you can do for your landscaping! This inspection should be performed each spring/summer.

6. Light it up!

Remember, buyers might do a drive-by in the evening. Consider adding landscape lighting to boost curb appeal and increase your home’s value. Solar pathway lighting and accent lighting that highlights landscaping features are both relatively simple ways to step it up in the yard department.

If you’re considering selling your home and need advice on getting it ready to list, don’t hesitate to contact us for a no-obligation home evaluation. You can also visit our website to get a free online home value estimate.

Home Improvements That Can Help Sell Your Home