Affordable Home Upgrade Ideas to Maximize Your Sales Price

Preparing to sell your home is so much more involved than finding a real estate agent, settling on a listing price, and creating the listing. Every move you make, even your potential home upgrades, should be carefully curated toward the demand of the Grand Rapids real estate market. From thoughtfully staging your home to making minor updates to your house (both inside and out), there are lots of ways to optimize the sale of your Grand Rapids home, including the affordable home upgrade ideas we’ve shared below.

 

Revamp Your Landscaping

Curb appeal is crucial if you want to maximize the sales price of your Grand Rapids home. However, landscaping can also become quite the undertaking, both in terms of manpower and cost. Consider these simple approaches to update your landscaping:

• Add New Mulch: Spread a fresh layer of mulch in flower beds and around trees to give your landscaping a clean, finished look. It also helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Plant Colorful Flowers: Add pops of color with seasonal flowers in flower beds or containers. Choose hardy, low-maintenance varieties that thrive in your local climate. You can also consider planting perennials, which come back year after year, offering long-term beauty without repeated costs (which could be compelling to buyers).
• Embrace Containers: Place potted plants on the porch, patio, or steps for a welcoming touch. Choose a variety of plants with different heights and textures.
• Lawn Care: Keep the lawn mowed and edges neatly trimmed, apply fertilizer to promote lush, green growth, and fill in any bare or patchy areas with grass seed.
• Install Simple Features: Garden bed borders, stepping stones and pathways, lighting, and outdoor seating areas can add a lot to your landscaped spaces.

 

Implement Energy-Efficient Upgrades

Making energy-efficient upgrades to your home not only reduces utility costs but also increases its appeal to environmentally conscious buyers. Here are some effective ways to boost energy efficiency:

• Solar Panels: Solar panels can reduce your electric bill and increase the market value of your home, plus you can take advantage of federal and state incentives or rebates to offset the installation costs.
• Energy-Efficient Appliances: Upgrade to ENERGY STAR-rated appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens to use less energy and water, ultimately reducing utility bills. You can also replace old washers and dryers with high-efficiency models.
• Insulation and Sealing: Add or upgrade insulation in your attic to prevent heat loss (cost compare different types of insulation, like fiberglass and spray foam). You can also seal any gaps around the doors and windows in your home with weatherstripping or apply caulk around openings to block air leaks.
• LED Lighting: Replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs throughout your home.
• Roof Replacement: Replace your roof with energy-efficient materials such as cool roofing, metal, or shingles designed to reflect more sunlight. A new roof can be tacked on to the sale price of your home.

 

Enhance Your Curb Appeal

First impressions matter, especially when selling a home. Enhancing your curb appeal can significantly impact potential buyers’ perception and interest. What is the first thing those potential buyers will see when they get out of their car to look at your house? What impression will they leave with? Here are some effective ways to make your home’s exterior more inviting:

• Paint the Front Door: Choose a bold, welcoming color that complements the exterior of your home. Consider shades like red, blue, or yellow for a striking look, or go for classic colors like black, white, or dark green for a timeless appeal.
• Power Wash the Exterior: Pressure wash the exterior walls, driveway, walkways, and patio to remove dirt, grime, and mildew. Having a clean exterior makes the home look well-maintained and newer.
• Stage the Entryway: Place a new, clean welcome mat at the front door, add potted plants or flowers on either side of the door for a touch of greenery and color, and if you have enough room, place a small bench or a couple of chairs by the door to drive home the cozy, welcoming vibe.
• Upgrade Lighting: Install or replace porch lights with stylish, energy-efficient fixtures. Consider lantern-style lights, sconces, or pendant lights that enhance the home’s exterior. You can also add solar-powered or low-voltage lights along walkways and driveways.
• Mailbox Makeover: Replace an old mailbox with a new, stylish one that complements your home’s exterior. This is an inexpensive undertaking and you can even add a small planter or seasonal decorations around the base of the mailbox for extra charm.

 

Brighten Your Interior

A bright and welcoming interior can make a significant difference when selling your home. Here are some effective ways to enhance your interior space:

• Get the Windows Cleaned: Hire professional window cleaners to ensure all windows are spotless. To save money, you could have the professionals do the outside and handle your interior windows yourself. Make sure to clean any window treatments like curtains or blinds too!
• Apply Fresh Coats of Neutral Paint Colors: Repaint walls with neutral colors like white, beige, gray, or soft pastels. Neutral colors create a blank canvas, so buyers can easily envision their own style in the space.
• Staging: Remove personal items, excess furniture, and clutter to create an open, spacious feel. Use storage bins, baskets, and organizers to keep belongings out of sight. You can also arrange furniture to highlight the room’s best features and create a natural flow, and make sure rooms aren’t overcrowded. Add tasteful decor items like throw pillows, rugs, and artwork to enhance each room, keeping the aesthetic neutral so it appeals to everyone’s different tastes.
• Deep Clean: Perform a thorough deep clean of the entire home, including floors, carpets, and furniture. Pay extra attention to kitchens and bathrooms, ensuring they are spotless and odor-free.

 

Invest in a Kitchen Makeover

The kitchen is often the heart of the home and a major selling point for buyers. An updated and well-staged kitchen can significantly enhance your home’s appeal and value. Consider these effective ways to give your kitchen a makeover:

• Update Cabinetry: Refresh your cabinets with a coat of paint or refinishing. Opt for neutral colors like white, gray, or beige to create a clean and modern look. Updating cabinet handles and knobs with contemporary options is also an affordable way to update the look of your cabinetry.
• Upgrade Countertops: Consider replacing outdated countertops with more modern materials like granite, quartz, or butcher block. For a budget-friendly option, use laminate or refinished countertops.
• Enhance Flooring: Replace old or worn flooring with durable and attractive options like hardwood, tile, or vinyl. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective solution, consider laminate or vinyl plank flooring.
• Declutter: Clear countertops of unnecessary items to create an open and organized look. Stage the kitchen as a functional and welcoming space with a few well-chosen props, such as a set table or a tea and coffee station.
• Focus on Bathrooms if Kitchen is Up-to-Date: If your kitchen already looks great, shift your focus to refreshing the bathrooms instead!

 

How Much Should I Invest Before Selling My House?

It is generally recommended to invest around 1-3% of your home’s value in upgrades before selling. Focus on affordable home upgrades that offer high returns. Our experienced Lenders can link you to expert Realtors who specialize in Grand Rapids real estate and can provide you with the best advice before you sell.

 

FAQs

What home renovations have the best ROI?
While any upgrades you may do can add to the appeal of your home, some projects have higher return on investments (ROI’s) than others. Some exterior renovations that typically have higher ROI’s are replacing your garage door, replacing your home’s siding, and installing a new front door. As for interior upgrades with good ROI, a minor kitchen remodel or simple bathroom remodel might be your best bet.

Do solar panels increase home value?
Solar panels can increase home value by reducing electricity costs and making the property more energy-efficient. Homes with solar panels often sell for more than comparable homes without them.

Does a new roof increase home value?
A new roof can increase home value. Buyers will often be deterred by roofs nearing the end of their lifespan, and “How old is the roof?” is a common question they ask. Newer roofs give potential buyers peace of mind, since they know they won’t face immediate roofing repairs or replacements.

Does landscaping increase home value?
Landscaping might not directly impact the sales prices of Grand Rapids homes for sale, but they can attract potential buyers and even encourage them to increase their offers based on the attractive appearance of the exterior.