We offer mortgage assistance in Oregon, and we speak with a lot of home seekers on a daily basis. Often, we hear our clients discuss the features they absolutely loved in the home they decided to buy (or we hear comments about the reasons they passed on other houses they were considering). Upgraded homes have consistently been able to sell for high prices on the housing market, which means more money you can put in the budget for the next place you want to live.
Are you looking to take out a mortgage you can afford on a home you love? Ready to sell your old place so you can consider a new one? The Lindley Team are Oregon mortgage lenders who can help you get a loan that fits your needs, and we’re on your side as you strive to sell your home for as much as possible. Here are a few of our top tips on how to upgrade your home to increase value.
Finish Unfinished Rooms
If you have unfinished guest rooms, office spaces, storage rooms, or entire basements, then you should strongly consider spending the money to finish them up. Finished rooms (especially entirely finished basements) can add considerably more value to your home than you would have if you leave rooms only partly designed.
- Complete any walls that are only half painted or half wallpapered
- Install carpet or tile in basements
- Install lights as needed
- Add doors (including door handles) to rooms that still need them
- Add blinds to windows
- Repair any locks that don’t work well anymore
Focus on Kitchens and Bathrooms
Most people expect to bring their own mattresses, dressers, and bedspreads into a new home when they move, but you won’t find many people looking to install their own toilets and bathroom counters. Whatever kitchen and bathroom features your home has are the features the new homeowners can expect to see and use daily themselves, so be sure to make a good impression during home tours. In general, when budgeting your home decorating money, plan to spend more of it on the kitchen and bathrooms than on most bedrooms.
- Make sure all your faucets can produce both hot and cold water
- Repair any leaky pipes
- Scrub stains from toilets, shower walls, and sinks
- Remove outdated flooring
- Consider replacing or sealing broken tiles
Follow Popular Home Decorating Trends
Even tried and true styles may not always last forever. If you are looking to increase the value of your home quickly so you can sell it within the next two years, then always keep in mind that you aren’t trying to sell your home ten years in the past or ten years from now. There’s no shame in following the popular home decorating trends of the decade when deciding what to upgrade in your own home.
Out With the Old
Replace old features of your house and replace them with modern alternatives. Examples include:
- Carpet
- Fireplaces
- Kitchen appliances
- Repaint walls with chipped or fading paint
- Replace your home’s front door
If you love the color of your walls, it may be emotionally tough to paint over them with a neutral tone. Remember that neutral tones are more likely to appeal to a wide range of buyers, as the buyer will be able to move their furniture and other possessions in with less chance of colors clashing.
Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficient homes are one trend that’s sure to never die. A home that is well built and well insulated can save you money on bills every month while keeping you warm in winter and cool in the summer, making it very popular on the market. Learning that a home is not well insulated can be a huge turn-off for many buyers, so we recommend insulating your home and investing in other options that can make it as energy efficient as possible. Some energy saving features you should consider are:
- Invest in smart thermostats to more quickly and easily adjust temperature in your home
- Ensure your appliances such as built-in microwaves are up to date
- Replace old light bulbs
- Repair and seal any cracks in walls or floors that allow cold air in
- Research furnaces and water heaters and compare your existing ones to other options on the market
Expansions
Expansions can be expensive, but are one of the most valuable upgrades you can add to your home. Expansions you may want to consider are:
- Increase square footage of kitchens and living rooms
- Upgrade half baths to full bathrooms
- Enlarge your laundry room
- Add a porch or deck
- Add a stone veneer to your home’s exterior
Don’t Forget to Upgrade Your Garage
As the years pass, your garage door can slowly stop functioning as well as it once did. Additionally, if you have ever backed into your garage doors or slammed a door with a basketball, there may be dents or cracks that you may want to consider repairing to increase the value of your home. Some garages built in past decades do not have garage doors as wide as many people would like nowadays. Consider upgrading your garage with a fresh look to appeal to more modern buyers.
If you have an electronic keypad that opens your garage door, don’t forget to replace its batteries
Organizing Your Garage
Even if you don’t make major upgrades to your garage, we recommend you organize it as best as you can before potential buyers arrive to view your home. Many people who are still living in their homes while they are on the market overlook the importance of a tidy garage. A tidy garage will seem much larger and more valuable than a cluttered one!
Keep Your Yard Neat
When preparing to put your home on the market, remember to:
- Keep the lawn well mowed
- Remove leaves or branches regularly
- Shovel snow to make it easy for potential buyers to walk to the door
- Keep gravel and other decorative rocks orderly
If you are looking for mortgage assistance in Oregon, consider taking out an affordable mortgage with The Lindley Team. With our 30+ years of experience in helping lenders buy their homes, we feel confident that we can help you too. Look over our lending options for Portland mortgages, apply for a loan today, and contact us with any additional questions or comments you may have.
