When it comes to the complex housing market of Vancouver (and essentially everywhere), people have a tendency to place an exceptional amount of stress on the difficulties revolving around purchasing a new house. While accruing funds, organizing paperwork, dealing with mortgages, and working with a realtor certainly present the components of a complicated scenario, one should never undervalue the trials and tribulations that unfold for those looking to sell a property. We here at Atlas Painting & Restorations Ltd. have borne witness to these challenges on many occasions, as they have faced a countless number of our clients over the years. Because of this, we have unanimously decided to craft the following guide, one that covers the home improvements that will intrinsically increase your property’s value. Enjoy!
- Think Spatially: Many domiciles, particularly older ones, fall victim to clutter and a lack of space that is unappealing to potential buyers. Free up some space by taking out unnecessary structures such as kitchen islands or (non-structural) walls. As a general rule, the more open, the better. People have lots of belongings and need room to store everything!
- Lighting Is Key: While colour is one thing to pay close attention to, the amount of light entering your home is something that should never be undervalued. As with the aforementioned concept of spaciousness- the more, the better. If you feel that some parts of your home are lacking in the light department, consider using installments such as reflective or tubular skylights to really brighten things up!
- Maintain, Maintain, Maintain: While it may seem tempting to completely re-vamp your living room, it may be wiser to direct your time and money towards the general upkeep of your house. Buyers are less likely to care about your brand new stainless steel countertops when there are plumbing leaks, a broken furnace, and rusty gutters. By carefully assessing your property, possibly with the assistance of an experienced restoration team, you can start to pinpoint issues or concerns that may deter your clientele.
- Check The Front: People have a tendency to base their purchasing decisions off of first impressions. This simple fact is the reason why you should pay close attention to the entranceway of your home. Does the doorbell work properly? Has the frame of the door been painted recently? Do you have some sort of awning or shelter from the annual rainy season? If people judge books by their cover, then why not judge a house by its front door?
- Upgrade Your Bathroom! Cheaply!: While washroom repairs have a reputation for being costly, you can easily fix up small blemishes using just a few affordable materials. Fixing the caulking on your tub, updating doorknobs, removing rust stains, and cleaning glass surfaces are all sure-fire ways to improve the interior of your bathroom setup. For less than $500, one should be able to provide upgrades that will make a world of difference- and a possible sale for you.
- Remove The ‘What’s That’ Factor: This often overlooked factor is something that often correlates with homes built in previous decades. Fads of years past usually aren’t particularly desirable nowadays, and we strongly recommend you do everything in your power to remedy any bizarre or unnecessary additions to your property. This may include pink wallpaper, flashy vinyl flooring, or front steps that have been broken since the 30s. If there is anything that will have potential buyer’s asking ‘what’s that’, then maybe it deserves to go.
Selling a home is a complicated task, and one should of course make it their objective to present their domicile in the most appealing manner possible. By following these loose guidelines, you should be off to a good start. If you have any further questions, or seek assistance from one of the most talented teams of tradespeople in the lower mainland, then definitely give us a call or reach out via our website!