What do buyers look for in a home?

One that is move-in ready. According to 2021 NAR Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends, 44% of recent buyers looked to avoid renovations or plumbing and electrical problems. Additionally, minor upgrades will not only show your home in its best light but carry a reasonably high return on investment. For example, touching up exterior paint and installing a steel entry door could draw the buyer right in; however, you also have to consider how specific projects will make your home more attractive to potential buyers. If you are planning to sell your home in Austin, here is why you should renovate it first.

What to Focus On?

Keep in mind that not every upgrade will impress the buyers you want. You might spend too much time and money picking the perfect color for the living room, only to have a buyer want to paint it a different color. A great way to know which improvements will pay off is to team up with a Compass agent and let their Concierge program help you make the right plans and see them through. With this method, you will avoid unnecessary upgrades and only focus on those that will add to your home’s resale value. Furthermore, you don’t have to spend money upfront to make money. Compass Concierge is the hassle-free way to sell your home faster and for a higher price. From staging and cosmetic changes to painting and flooring. Home improvement with Compass Concierge can maximize value with minimal stress and no interest. Smart. Swift. Transparent. Easy.

Which Renovations Are Best to Start With?

If not utilizing Compass Concierge, go for low-scale renovations that can cover a variety of personal tastes. The experts at State to State Movers recommend these projects to budget-friendly sellers:

1. Minor fixes in the kitchen
2. Bathroom touchups
3. Landscaping

A Helpful Timeline for Selling Your Home in Austin

 How much time do you have before your move? Check out this list of short-term improvement projects for those on a tight schedule who want to prep for profit. Prepare your home for sale with easy improvement projects you can do right now:

1. Spruce up your outdoor space.
– Clean gutters
– Repaint or replace the front door
– Clean or replace the roof
– Plant flowers in a consistent palette

2. Create a clean canvas.
– A fresh coat of paint is a low-cost interior improvement that makes a big statement
– Light, neutral colors appeal to a wide range of buyers
– Find new curtains in a neutral color or add interior shutters
– Add crown molding
– Renew old flooring
– Paint kitchen cabinets

3. Sort through your storage.
– Organize closets, pantries, and your garage
– Minimize cluttered decorations
– Style and clean shelves and any open storage

For longer renovation projects, you could get a contractor involved for several weeks:

• • Kitchen remodels
  • Custom cabinet and countertops installation
  • Bathroom changes
  • Roofing installation

Figure out how much time you have, and then you can pick and choose which activities to tackle or hire an expert. Ask the Westhorn Group about Compass Lens to visualize the potential of your space. Maximize the value of your home with Compass Concierge and make upgrades with zero upfront costs.

Make Small, Efficient Fixes in Your Kitchen

Is the kitchen the most important room? Some say it is the heart of the home. Painting the kitchen cabinets and adding countertops, a backsplash, new flooring, and a kitchen island are all options that can go a long way if you are planning to sell your home in Austin. If you can spend a couple of thousand dollars on countertops in the kitchen, it will be an excellent return on your investment. Since this is the room families spend a lot of time in, they expect it to be updated. Making a good impression of the kitchen can make or break your sale.

Invest in the Bathroom

Bathrooms are vital elements to consider when prepping your home for sale. Buyers want that feeling of freshness and quality in a bathroom. Replacing the vanity tops and fixtures in the bathroom provides an excellent value for the investment. Figure out if tiles need some replacing. An inexpensive trick is to paint the tiles, making them fresh and seemingly new without a significant investment. Add a few details such as light fixtures and a big mirror for the most appeal.

Landscaping

Curb appeal accounts for a large percentage of what attracts buyers. Most buyers know that they can change a few things here and there inside the house. Maybe change the carpets, paint the walls, or replace a vanity. But if they see a home with overgrown landscaping, big holes in the yard, and trees hanging over the top of the roof, it might be what stops them from even going in. Statistically, a landscape maintenance project helps make the sale immensely. Some landscape changes are not even that expensive. You can trim the trees, plant some flowers in the front, and do a pressure wash—these things are inexpensive but will make a huge difference. Overall, green space creates a calming environment and adds value to your home. Design your oasis and make a significant ROI in the process.

DIY Projects to Increase Profit

The projects you take on yourself can help save costs, and you might even have some fun along the way. You can do several DIY projects:

• Freshly painted walls make a home look well-maintained. Choose neutral colors such as gray and beige to please a variety of buyers.
• Lighting makes your home look brighter and more inviting. Including overhead lighting, under-cabinet and reading lights, and accent light fixtures for tables or walls will create the wow factor with low investment.
• Outdated cabinets can make your whole house look outdated. If you want to sell your home in Austin, paint the cabinets instead of replacing them completely.

Moving Out of Austin

If you are planning a long-distance move within Texas after you’ve sold your home, you’ll need to prepare well. Organize and declutter your possessions to make things as easy as possible. Hire professional movers if you need to leave the city and settle down elsewhere. They will take care of all the heavy lifting with care, and they can even pack your belongings for you.

Final Word

Navigating today’s housing market? Selling can be overwhelming. Getting your home market-ready doesn’t have to be. You need a powerful partner to make sense of the complexities. With that said, consult with expert agents to see which renovations can yield the best results. Good luck with your home-selling efforts! As you can see, renovating when planning to sell your home in Austin can be an excellent idea.

Marcus Roper

Broker Associate / Compass Real Estate
Principal / The Westhorn Group

Marcus began his career as a real estate analyst at Goldman Sachs in Dallas, Texas. His team was responsible for the investment of Goldman’s capital into real estate portfolios.

Marcus has since then established himself as a Realtor® & Broker in the western areas of Austin, specializing in high-end new construction, boutique listings, staging & design, and a seamless client experience.

Marcus enjoys viewing and playing live music, exercising on Town Lake, and playing golf at Barton Creek & Austin County Clubs.