Selling your home might seem like a daunting process with a never-ending checklist of things to do before you actually put up that “For Sale” sign. Pre-sale is the time to take inventory on all the home improvement projects you’ve let fall to the wayside, which could add serious value to your home. If you don’t know where to begin, have no fear! We’ve compiled a list of improvements that will make your house the hottest commodity on the block.
Fix or Replace Garage Doors
Curb appeal is indeed king when it comes to first impressions for potential homebuyers. With more than 70 percent of homeowners using the garage as their main entrance into the home, it’s important to make sure your garage door is in top shape– in both functionality and looks –before showing your home to potential buyers. You can start your self-inspection by monitoring your garage door for creaking noises or to see if the door opens and closes jerky. If your garage door is not closing consistently, one simple check would be to make sure that the photo-eyes are aligned. If there are more significant issues with your door or opener and the repair turns out to be more extensive, like major damage on the exterior of the door or malfunctioning springs, call in an expert to help.
In some cases, replacing your garage door could be a better investment than a repair. Since the first time garage door replacements were included in the Cost vs. Value Report in 2010, they have ranked among the top five home improvement projects.
Increase Your Home’s Intelligence
Today’s homeowners are more accustomed to automation than ever before– especially in the home with technology like smart thermostats or smart security cameras. Your garage door can also have the bells and whistles with Smart Home Technology. This technology allows users to receive alerts when there are changes in the door’s position from the convenience of a smart device, optimizing home security and convenience. The homeowner can use their smartphone to open and close their door or pair it with a smart assistant like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, so that the new homeowners will even be able to control their garage doors using their voice.
Replace Dim Lighting
Nothing welcomes in potential buyers like a bright, cheery home. Is your home filled with dull recessed lights? Time to update your lighting– both inside and outside of the home. You should also consider switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs. Meant to light up the interior of your garage, these types of light bulbs only use 10 watts of power. Depending on local utility rates, that means the annual cost can be as little as $1.07 per year.
