A new study suggests that May is the best time to put a house on the market. Add what Kansas City realtors are saying about the high demand of the local market, and this spring may be very lucrative for metro homeowners looking to sell.
READ: It's a great time to sell your home in Kansas City
But before you put your house on the market, you’ll need to do everything you can to improve its value. Fortunately, it may not take as much work as you think.
Rule No. 1: Make sure your kitchen and bathrooms are up to date.
Tips to quickly improve the value of your bathroom:
- Replace a tub with a walk-in shower
- Update ceramic tile
- Update faucets
- Update countertop
- Re-finish old cabinets
- Update light fixtures
John Bartrom, CEO of Jericho Home Improvements, has been renovating homes since 2009. He says homeowners get back 90 to 120 percent of what they invest in a bathroom or kitchen. However, a total new remodel isn’t always necessary.
“Typically a third of the cost of a full-gut kitchen remodel … We’re able to come in with granite countertops, and re-finish the cabinetry, and make the home very, very appealing to a potential buyer,” he said.
Small things that will improve your kitchen include updating hardware on drawers and cabinets, updating your light fixtures and using a coat of neutral paint to brighten the room and make it appear larger.
More tips on improving the value of your home:
- Remove popcorn ceilings
- Upgrade light switches, covers (and, again, fixtures)
- Power-wash the exterior
- Replace entry doors
- Tidy landscaping, but not overdone
- Maintain carpets or hardwood floors
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Josh Helmuth can be reached at josh.helmuth@kshb.com
