The overlooked, low-cost investment to instantly upgrade a listed home

Buyers seeking a home for sale normally review a listing without any thought of the property’s previous ‘life’. They walk room-to-room visualizing where they can position a bed or a sofa. Or, they’re figuring how their daily lifestyle will mesh with the home’s layout. That’s why a home seller’s goal primary focus should be directed towards helping homebuyers connect emotionally with the house. Depending on the demographic, it’s likely most buyers live a busy lifestyle that demands a ‘move-in’ ready house. It’s not uncommon for buyers to expect a home they can renovate to their tastes at their leisure. Homes that appear finished usually improve their odds of getting the best price and outcome sellers want.

Since kitchens and baths can be deal breakers before buyers place an offer, it’s imperative that home sellers seek these areas to make the most out of their investment.One important yet overlooked solution home sellers use to transforms pre-listed homes can be done in less than one day with interior jewelry.

Yes. Interior jewelry.In essence, I prefer to call the finishing touches on a home ‘interior jewelry’. More often than not, the materials used to make these items consist of metals that give off a little shimmer and shine.Here’s what to consider when inspecting your home’s hardware for a much-needed change: 

Inspect cabinets

Knobs and drawer pulls can alter a kitchen or bathroom's character in an instant. It's important to step into each space and examine how buyers will interpret it. When making a choice on hardware finishes, in most instances, you'll want to carry similar tones through the house to create a sense of flow. For example, if the bathrooms have gold tone faucets, add hardware to the cabinets in a similar finish. Drawer pulls and knobs can vary in cost depending on the style and finish. You can expect to find them under $1 to over $18. 

Evaluate fixtures

A kitchen can have style and character with the proper faucet. If the current faucet has rust or calcium buildup than it’s best to change it completely. As with cabinet hardware, a faucet can set the tone for a bathroom or kitchen's theme.  In a kitchen, beware of mismatching the tones with the appliance color. For instance, a white kitchen faucet will clash horribly with a black stove and throw off a buyer's concentration of the entire home's interior. The cost for basic kitchen or bathroom fixtures start as low as $35. 

Scan lighting

Whether buyers view a home during the day or the evening, it’s best to turn on the lights. From the front porch to the kitchen island to the back door, wall and ceiling lighting draws buyers into the house. And never underestimate what a new lighting fixture can do for a home’s character. Of course, if you’re uncomfortable working with electrical projects, please contact a professional. A variety of lighting can be found at lamp stores or your local, 'big box' hardware store. Outdoor wall lighting starts as low as $12 and assorted indoor lighting starts around $20. 

Examine handles

Interior and exterior door handles have a tendency to wear down and lose their luster. Give them a thorough polishing to bring out their luster. If the interior handles are mismatch throughout the house or they appear worn beyond a good polishing, change them out quickly. For a three bedroom house, basic door knobs and handles will be a small investment of approximately $200. 

No time to handle coordination of your home's showcase and staging project? Worried about choosing service providers for handy work, plumbing, etc.? Schedule a discovery call to talk about your specific project needs.