Renovating to Sell? Homeowners Tips for Surviving the Project
Preparing to sell your house, but you’ve decided to do some renovations first? That’s a smart move on your part! However, it can sometimes be difficult to determine which works can give you the best return on your money. If you make the right changes to your property and make it stand out, you have some very good chances of having a top dollar and quick sale. Here are some of the tips and tricks we’re here to provide so you can have a smooth and profitable renovation that’ll inevitably attract potential buyers like bees to honey!
What to renovate?
If you’re unsure where to focus your dollar – a sure bet would be the kitchen and the master bathroom. Why? Well, there is a simple reason for both of these areas. For the kitchen, for instance, it’s basically about nourishment and socializing with family and friends. A fancy-looking kitchen and dining area are sure to impress any family that’s looking for a new home. As for the bathroom – there’s nothing simpler: a clean and chic bathroom reflects on the hygiene and health of the whole household.
If you’ve decided to spare a bigger budget for renovations, however, you’ll have to have a bigger and more effective list. The first parts of the property you see are the exterior, then the living and kitchen spaces. These are the areas that provide the first impression and biggest impact. In this case, you’re shooting for the better first impression, so try to take care of things in this order:
- House exterior
- Kitchen
- Living spaces
- Garden/yard
- Bathrooms and other
The planning part
The first planning stage is to determine what your target buyers are. Try to define who these people are and what they want in a house. Think about the neighborhood your house is in and what kind of family would most likely come to live there. If there are some other people selling in the neighborhood, take a peek at the competition and see what you have to offer that they don’t have.
Prepare all the rooms that are going through renovation. De-clutter these areas and remove fragile items. It will make things easier to clean, rearrange and protect against accidental damage during the renovation.
If you’re going to stay home while renovations are in process, talk to your renovator about your household’s daily schedule or any special circumstances that need to be accommodated so that they can be factored into the schedule. That way, particularly disruptive or messy parts of the process can be arranged for when you are away. Busy on-site work times can be aligned with your family’s routine so crews won’t be interrupting you and your family in your daily tasks.
The renovation part
Pick a new but convenient place to park your car in while renovating. Chances are the workers will park reasonably close to your house, so they’ll need the space. Speaking of space, if you’re staying home – also make sure to have designated entrances for both your family and workers separate. This is highly recommendable especially if you have kids – since the work area could be a potential hazard to them. That also implies to pets. Make sure there is also clear access to the main electrical panel and the water shut-off valve.
Some parts of the renovation can be simply unbearable, so it’s advisable that you leave your home for at least a few days when critical work is being performed. Spare yourself the dust, odors, and whatnot, and just pack up and leave. Your renovator will probably know when’s the best time to skedaddle, so consult them on time.
If your kitchen is going through some works, make sure to move your microwave and refrigerator to a place where they can still be used. Set up a makeshift kitchen. Be sure to keep a can opener, coffee maker, utensils and other items accessible. Stock up on disposable plates and cups.
Protect any plants, personal belongings, and valuables. Move them somewhere where renovations won’t affect them. Construction dust is insidious and inevitably will travel to other areas of your home. Computers, electronic equipment, and furniture should be covered or removed.
After the renovation part
Renovations are notoriously messy affairs. Unless you explicitly build it into your contract, extensive cleaning is typically not part of your contractor’s job. That means that it’s your job to clean up after the contractor’s job is done. Firstly, you can get rid of any junk and debris by hiring rubbish collection professionals and letting them take care of everything. Not only will they take it away, they’ll also sort it and recycle it for you.
If you haven’t got the money to hire cleaning services, here’s a list of things to take care of after the renovation:
- Sweep and vacuum all surfaces
- Sweep, mop, and disinfect floors
- Wipe down doors, knobs, baseboards, moldings, and hardware
- Thorough sanitization of bathrooms and kitchens
- Dust, vacuum, and wipe-down of all window interiors including sills and frames
- Dust all lighting fixtures and ceiling fans
- Clean cabinets and all closets
Renovating isn’t an easy task, so when you encounter trying moments, focus on how great your rejuvenated space will be. Follow these tips and you’re surely in for a less stressful and smooth renovation.
