When you finally move from renting to owning, the first thing you want to do is make changes that will make it your own. Unfortunately, there are some choices and changes you might be considering that could have a negative impact on your future resale. If it is your forever home, by all means, GO FOR IT. On the other hand, if this home is just temporary, then first, ask your trusted real estate agent for some advice, and secondly, read this article and find out what NOT to do.
Combining rooms
It may be tempting to combine two smaller bedrooms into one bigger bedroom. It is understandable! Unfortunately, you are likely devaluing your home. More bedrooms often mean more money. A 4-bedroom home has more value than a 3-bedroom home regardless of whether they have the same square footage.
Choose color carefully
Choosing exterior colors wisely is essential if you are going to be selling your home. You want your home to have curb appeal and stand out from the rest of the homes on the market in order to get the most/best offers on your home, but, you don’t want it to stand out for the wrong reasons. Choosing from one of these highest-selling colors will increase your home’s curb appeal and up the odds that your home will sell faster and for more money.
The best colors:
- Taupe
- Gray
- Soft yellow
- Wheat
- While
- Red
- Beige
As for the inside, you have a little more leeway, but it is still best to paint it in lighter colors that make rooms appear larger and brighter. And, hold off on the hot pink and dark colors or buyers may not be able to see a room’s potential.
♥️ Each year, BEHR Paint selects its colors of the year; maybe give one of these colors a go.
Don’t cover up the hardwood
There is a lot that can be said for carpet. Cold winter days and cold hardwood floors aren’t a dynamic duo. But, before you make the decision to cover up those functional and highly desired hardwoods consider that 3 in 4 buyers prefer a home with woodflooring. Consider investing in rugs that can be moved rather than installing carpet that isn’t as attractive or practical to potential homebuyers. If you insist on having carpet, try just adding it to the bedrooms where it will likely be appreciated by a majority of buyers.
To swim or not to swim
Adding a swimming pool can be very desirable for homeowners. Many buyers might see a swimming pool as desirable as well. Unfortunately, as buyers do their research and learn more about the responsibility, liability, and maintenance, not to mention the costs, the swimming pool will very quickly become much less appealing. The same can be said for hot tubs. While no one wants to discourage you from your dreams, it is important to understand that you most likely won’t recoup that money, and it could actually cause a certain amount of buyers to turn away.
Countertop conundrum
Choosing the right countertop is a difficult decision at any time, but when you know you are going to resell your home, it is even more important. Countertops like marble and soapstone are beautiful, but they require a lot of maintenance and are much less durable. By the time you sell your home, they may have lost their sparkle and their desirability which could turn off buyers, and make it more difficult for you to recoup the high price tag you paid for them originally.
Don’t be too cool
In love with brass right now? Do you love bright, bold, floral wallpaper? Being trendy is fun, but doing it in less permanent ways is ideal. Remember that avocado appliances were once very cool, and hey, if you wait long enough, they might be cool again. But, buying into trends can make your home less desirable when it comes time to sell. Some trendy, cost-prohibitive things to avoid:
- Accent or bold tiles
- Bold, bright paint jobs, both inside and out (the good news is they can be painted over easily)
- Dark and heavy interior blinds or window coverings
- Wood paneling
- Elaborate light fixtures
- Built-in electronics
Unfortunately, when you know you will eventually resell your home, you have to make some compromises on what you want inside your home. Resellability needs to be top of mind in order to protect your investment. And, there is still time. One day, when you are living in your forever home, you will be able to add the brass finishings, the red appliances, dark wood paneling, the wall-to-wall carpet, or any other trendy finish that suits your fancy.
Don’t forget to utilize your real estate agent to find out what you should and shouldn’t do. They are in the trenches every day seeing what appeals to buyers and what turns them away.