Should You Update Your Home Before You Sell?

When is the best time to make home improvements if you’re selling a home? I believe doing them before you put your home on the market always beats giving an allowance, and here’s why.

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If you’re thinking of selling your home, there are probably a few improvements that need to be made. However, how do you know if you should make the improvements yourself or give the buyer an allowance to make them afterward? 

In my personal experience, I have never taken a buyer through a home and had them stop to rave about an excellent allowance for home improvements. However, they will stop to comment on how amazing the kitchen looks, how nice the home smells, how beautiful the floors look, how excited they are to see granite countertops, and so on. Buyers are excited to see updates already completed.

Buyers get excited about updates, not allowances.

Even if you’re not thinking about selling right away, make the improvement anyway! Change out the light fixtures, countertops, or flooring. You’re not going to hurt those things while you are still living there, and if you decide to sell, you’ll reap the benefits of having those things done already. People don’t get charged up about allowances, and you’ll be able to enjoy the updates until you move. 

Replacing the carpet is the only thing I would wait to do until closer to when you are ready to sell so you avoid stains. Other than that, make the improvements now and enjoy them. 

If you need any names of resources to help you with those projects, are looking to buy or sell a home, or have any other questions, please give me a call or send me an email. I’m happy to help!