When people begin thinking about selling their home in Jacksonville, upgrades can be a first step many people take. However doing too much, or upgrading things that don’t provide much return can be a waste of time and money.

We have put together our list: of 3 upgrades to invest in and 3 to forget about.

3 Upgrades To Invest In:

Do: Paint

A fresh coat of paint can easily brighten up and revive a room. Try to stick with neutral colors and add in pops of color elsewhere, such as throw pillows or artwork. Painting is a relatively low-cost upgrade that can have a big impact.

Plus a fresh coat of paint will cover and dings in the wall, nail holes, etc.

Do: A Kitchen & Bath Facelift

upgrades to invest in kitchen

modern and comfortable kitchen

You might have heard that an upgraded kitchen and bathroom are two of the best areas to focus on when upgrading your home. However, you can do some smaller upgrades that will make a big impact without costing a fortune.

New faucets, drawer pulls and resurfacing your cabinets are affordable ways to revitalize the space. Some appliance manufacturers sell new and alternate colored faceplates.

For example, swapping out the front of your dishwasher to match the other appliances is a great way to save money and tie things together.

You can take the same principles to give your bathroom a quick makeover. Vinyl tiles can go on the floor, right over what you currently have. Do a deep cleaning of the grout, and re-grout if needed.

Fix any cracked tiles or broken hardware. (Wobbly towel racks, etc.) Another option to a complete shower renovation is to install a pre-fab cover. This is much cheaper than doing a whole shower overhaul.

Do: Landscaping

Planting some flowers out front or covering dirt with a pretty, fast spreading ground cover will give your home instant curb appeal. If needed, have trees and bushes trimmed and keep the lawn mowed nicely.

Depending on your climate, you can plant succulents or lay down pretty rocks to keep the space well maintained, but low-maintenance.

Maybe throw a fresh coat of paint on the mailbox or hang up a bird feeder and some hanging plants. Small touches and a well-groomed yard will draw anyone in.

3 To Forget About:

Don’t: Overly Customize

This can be a major turn away for some potential buyers. By overly personalizing your home, you force the next buyer to have similar taste as yours. You may like a very complex and ornate backsplash, however the next buyer may be just as happy with a very simple ceramic tile backsplash. By adding these renovations, you may cost yourself even more listing time because potential buyers will factor in the cost to change things to something they like because their tastes do not align with yours.

Don’t: Add a Patio, Deck or Pool

Again, this can be very pricey, without much return. If you have an open area, use plants or pavers to tidy up and beautify the space. If the new homeowners want to build a deck, they can do so, but with their tastes and specifications in mind.

Adding a pool can cost a fortune, without providing a huge increase in what you will be able to ask for the home. In addition, a pool may actually deter buyers.

Prospective buyers with small children may worry about safety and many people may not want to worry about the hassle and upkeep of maintaining their own pool.

Don’t: Do A Major Renovation to The Kitchen or Bathrooms

Don’t waste your money with a complete overhaul unless it is absolutely necessary due to water or fire damage. The cost does not make sense, especially when homebuyers will have their own tastes. Many homeowners would prefer a credit to the home price allowing them to upgrade on their terms.

In summary: Don’t over-improve… keep it simple!

If you are looking to sell your home, we can help you! Fill out this form now, and someone from our office will be in touch right away! Or give our office a call anytime! 904-325-9088