How to increase the value of your home in Philadelphia, PA
Making key updates to your home can significantly boost its value before selling. Here are a few methods to consider:
Curb appeal: Improving curb appeal is essential, as 92% of realtors recommend it before listing. Simple projects like power washing, mowing the lawn, adding fresh mulch, and painting the front door can make a big difference. These improvements create a great first impression and attract more potential buyers.
Strategic updates: Focus on high-impact home improvements. Kitchen and bathroom upgrades, new fixtures, fresh paint, and refinished floors can offer great returns. For instance, Zonda’s 2023 Cost vs. Value Report notes that replacing garage doors can recoup 103% of their cost, making it a smart investment.
Necessary fixes: Address necessary repairs before listing to avoid inspection issues later on. Fixing the roof, foundation, plumbing, and electrical systems is essential. These repairs can reassure buyers and lead to a smoother sales process, increasing your home’s appeal and value.
Decluttering and depersonalizing: Decluttering and depersonalizing help buyers envision themselves in your home. Removing personal items and excess furniture makes spaces look larger and more inviting. A HomeLight survey found that decluttering could raise your home’s sale price by $8,000 or more.
Deep cleaning: A thorough, deep clean can make your home shine. Another HomeLight survey found that deep cleaning could add $3,700 to your home’s value. Focus on steam cleaning carpets, scrubbing grout, and washing windows to ensure a spotless presentation for potential buyers.
Home staging: Professional home staging can make a big impact. Staged homes often sell faster and for more money. HomeLight’s most recent survey reveals that staging can boost sale prices by up to 13% more than unstaged homes. Effective staging highlights your home’s best features and helps buyers picture themselves living there.
How to buy before you sell in Philadelphia, PA
If you’ve been eyeing a new home in Philadelphia but are worried about selling your current one first, HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell (BBYS) program offers the perfect solution.
BBYS lets you unlock a portion of your current home’s equity, allowing you to make a strong, non-contingent offer on your new home. You can buy your new home first and then sell your old one once it’s vacant. This not only simplifies the process but also helps you avoid the inconvenience of moving multiple times.
HomeLight charges a flat fee of 2.4% of your current home’s selling price. If your home doesn’t sell within 90 days after you close on your new property, HomeLight will purchase it and continue working to sell it. Any profits from the sale, after covering costs, will be returned to you.
Check out the video below for more information about HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program:
