How to Decide on Upgrades to Make Before You Sell Your Home

Deciding what to upgrade in your home before you try to sell it takes a lot of thought. You don't want to do too little - but you don't want to do too much, either.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Real Estate Agents

1. Get your real estate agent's opinion on what kinds of improvements will increase your home's value.

2. Study the conditions and amenities of similar homes in your neighborhood and keep your upgrade plans to an appropriate and comparable scale.

3. Determine how much you will need to spend on planned improvements and be confident that you can get that money back in the sale of your home.

Tips & Warnings

• While basic repairs such as replacing old gutters and windowpanes will certainly make your home more attractive, they will not necessarily increase the value of your home.
• Bathroom and kitchen remodels bring the greatest return on investment.
• Adding a bathroom is also a good investment.
• Keep detailed records of any work you have done to your home.
• Don't go overboard on upgrades or try to make your house worth a substantial amount more than comparable homes in your neighborhood.

on 11/22/2005 Don't rush into replacing carpet in the home. Many buyers prefer a carpet allowance from the seller. They can then replace the carpet with what they want - even if the carpet was just replaced. Carpet in a house is like underwear, you don't want to wear someone else's, even when it has been laundered.

on 11/22/2005 Painting is the most cost-effective repair. Even "decorator" paint jobs and wallpaper can add thousands of dollars to the home's value as far as some buyers are concerned. I would also do carpeting if the carpeting is worn. Looks are everything.