Whether you are selling your primary home or investment property, getting top dollar is very important. If you’re wondering how to raise your Chicagoland area home’s value, then you are in the right place. Here are five things that can help boost your home’s worth.
1) A Functional Porch or Patio
A functional porch or patio on a property can be quite a valuable asset to have. It is always nice for potential home buyers to have the ability to entertain friends and family with home-cooked meals and have the option of hosting a barbeque or just enjoying time outdoors. It is definitely an added benefit if potential home buyers are able to take advantage of the wonderful summer weather that Chicago has to offer. Setting up a small patio with a grilling station and decent pavers can be a huge boost to the overall appeal and value of your home. There are also many people who enjoy gardening. If your patio features appealing foliage and plants, this can also help.
2) Extra Bathroom
For many home buyers, bathrooms are a huge deal. While 2 is usually a suitable number, an extra bathroom or two can definitely attract more buyers and raise your home’s value. As a homeowner, you are likely in one of two different positions when it comes to this matter. You either already have an extra bathroom or two and are looking good, or you do not. If you are in the position of not having additional bathrooms, it is at least worth considering adding an extra bathroom(even if just an extra half bath for guests to use). However, making this upgrade is not always worth the cost. A job like this can often cost tens of thousands of dollars, so make sure you consult with us prior to making this addition to see if it will pay off financially when you are ready to sell.
3) Efficient Smart Home Technology
The home technology industry has advanced tremendously over the past decade. It is becoming much more common for homes to be equipped with what is known as smart home technology. This can be anything from a smart thermostat that helps control temperatures in different areas of the home and ultimately saves you money on your energy bills to a sprinkler system that is much more energy efficient and can be used with your smartphone. This is not something that is just popular with millennial home buyers anymore. Smart home technology has now crossed into the mainstream and is an important feature for buyers of all types.
The best part is these features look nice but are not that expensive in the long run. If you are interested in upgrading some of the features of your home to smart home technology, please reach out to us, and we would be more than happy to share some additional benefits and connect you with a professional that can further assist you.
4) Good Landscaping and Curb Appeal
A home’s curb appeal will definitely improve its value and the overall value of properties in the neighborhood. The outside of your home is the first impression that most home buyers will have of the property, so it’s important to keep it looking as good as possible. For many of them, the curb appeal is the first check mark on their list of must-haves for a home. You can consider adding new plants, painting your fence, trimming overgrown bushes and other related items to really make your home shine!
Another thing to consider is investing in professional landscaping services. This will require coming out of your pocket with some funds every month, but the benefit is substantial. Over time, a true landscaping professional can have your lawn shining and looking the best in the entire neighborhood!
5) Updated Appliances
Having updated appliances is always a beneficial feature to offer potential home buyers. The comfort of knowing that they won’t have to spend thousands of dollars on brand-new equipment is very reassuring and is something buyers feel is worth paying a little extra for. Also, having the most recent style of appliances can help push a buyer over the finish line when it comes time to decide if the home is right for them. Styles and fashions often change, so make sure you are making the right decision when it is time to upgrade your appliances. If you are unsure of whether to get stainless steel, all white, all black, or something else, we can help point you in the right direction with our vast real estate market knowledge. As agents in the field, we are constantly looking at homes and working with tons of home buyers and learning their preferences. Simply put, we know what today’s Chicago home buyer wants.
While we cannot predict everything that can raise a home’s value, this list is a great place to start. In addition, working with a top-notch listing agent is probably the single greatest thing you can do to ensure your home is selling at its maximum value. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for a no-obligation consultation for some advice and tips on selling your home for top dollar. We would be happy to go over our process and marketing strategies with you.