- jeffh21
DIY Done Wrong (and Right)!
Updated: Oct 26, 2022
Over the years, I have seen some crazy projects to get a home ready to list. Some were good – some not so much. When considering what project to take on to add value to your home in hopes of recapturing your investment or more, make a few notes of what it is that you should be focusing your time and efforts on.
Landscaping
Curb appeal and backyard pizazz can honestly make or break a project. I have pulled up to homes with clients before and they asked to move on just because of the outside landscaping. Wow, the listing side didn’t even have a seat at the table because folks didn’t step inside your home. On the flip side, I have had clients who focused too much on how beautiful the outside appeal looked and failed to take into consideration if the functionality of the home fit what their current needs were.
Kitchen
The kitchen is single handedly the most important project to get right. Think about it – when folks come over, where does everyone migrate to? That’s right, where the food is! While it may not be necessary to have Level 5 finishes in this space, you can’t skimp here either. Clients look at the name brand of the appliances and/or the condition they are. Countertops are king – if you have formica and the client is looking for quartz, an offer is not likely. Flooring is also a key factor. While it is certainly tough to please everyone, linoleum is likely to not impress many. There are tons of options today to choose from, many of which can resemble hardwood flooring but is actually tile. Do your homework and open up your checkbook to the kitchen – you’ll be glad you did!
Master Bathroom
This room can be as of much importance as the kitchen, if not more, to potential buyers. Having an upgraded master bathroom can score mucho bonus points, especially with female clients. Understandable, it takes ladies much longer to get ready than males and hence the importance. Replacing cabinets, countertops, shower frames and tiles – and sprucing up the closet – can go a long way. Adding a return to keep things cool in the bathroom – especially in Texas – is a great selling point as well. Also, flooring in this room is as important as in the kitchen. Has anyone gotten excited when there is carpet in the master bathroom? I think not.
While a DIY project sounds like fun, it can really ruin the spirit of what you are trying to accomplish. A fresh coat of paint can go a long way but can also cause a rift when it comes to color selection. Building shelves in a closet may sound like an easy task but once you dig in you may find you don’t have the skill set to make it look professional. All of these projects could be potentially taken on by you and your mate, but hiring an outside firm to do may make more sense. Much of the work should be warrantied and transferable to the new homeowner. What a nice sell sheet to leave behind for folks to reviewing when touring your home. Check out the sellers tab on hendricksonhomes.homes for some local contractors that I have had great success with in the past.