Home Renovation Checklist for Sellers

Many homeowners consider making an upgrade at some point in time. When selling, people are rightly preoccupied with how to increase home value.

If you’ve just bought a property, you’re probably full of excitement at the possibilities that await you. The first thing on your mind might be “I want to renovate my house, where do I start?”

Regardless of the reason for the project, the thought of renovating can be overwhelming. And the list of questions gets longer and longer.

Should you roll up your sleeves and do the work yourself or bring in a contractor? If you decide to hire a professional, who can you trust to perform high quality work? Is there any way to make the process hassle-free and cost-effective?

In this post, we’ve put together a big-picture home renovation guide to help you realize your vision, whether you plan to sell your home or stay for many happy years.

Before beginning your renos, first consider how much your home is worth in today’s market. Get an accurate estimate by booking your free home evaluation.

Talk to Your Real Estate Agent

Perhaps it seems strange, but the moment you decide to renovate, one of your first calls should be to a real estate agent. That’s even before you start calling around to find out the latest prices of lumber and other materials.

Remember that an active real estate agent has boots on the ground in the market, which gives them insight as to the best ROI home improvements you can make. Plus, a local agent will likely already have all of the contacts you need to create the home of your dreams. For example, Silecky Thompson has partnered with some of the top renovation companies in Etobicoke that we trust to offer high quality renovation services at reasonable costs.

Never underestimate the value an experienced, caring Realtor® can bring to the table. Learn more in the posts below:

Define Your Goal

Most homeowners decide to renovate for one of two reasons:

They are getting ready to sell their home.
They want to increase their enjoyment of their home.

It’s critical to know what your goals are because these two paths do not always perfectly align. For example, you might love the look of wall-to-wall carpets and you particularly appreciate the soft, cushy feel on your feet as you walk.

However, installing them in every room of your house could actually hurt your chances of selling your home. The reverse can also be true.

You might be less than thrilled with the look of the new, neutral kitchen backsplash. To you, maybe it’s boring and devoid of personality. But to a buyer, a neutral choice eliminates distractions and lets them visualize living in your home.

Knowing what renovations add value and what not to fix is one of the most critical steps to a top dollar sale. It also saves you a lot of money and headaches on projects you don’t need to do.

Are you planning to sell your house and are wondering where to start? The posts below can put you on the right path:

Design-to-Sell-Renovations

What are your areas of focus if you plan to sell your home? Chances are, you can skip many of the expensive, time-consuming projects that you think you need.

A buyer will move in and want to make your home their own. You don’t need to do it for them. Instead, think of what updates will make your home seem well worth their investment and effort.

When selling, your home renovation checklist is all about value to the buyer:

Major defects, like electrical problems or a flooded basement, should be repaired. This might not show an immediate return on investment, but a buyer is not likely to consider a home with foundational problems.
Modernize your home with new paint, updated lighting fixtures, beautiful landscaping, and new hardware.
Depersonalize as much as possible. Your own personal touches are what make your home yours, but they can be off-putting to a buyer. If you’ve painted the living room a quirky colour or have unusual fixtures from a vintage store that only you appreciate, it’s time to say goodbye.
Be careful of over-improvements. “Just enough” is the bar we are looking for. If you transform your house into the largest, most expensive listing on the block, you are unlikely to see a worthy return on your investment.
Perform any minor repairs that might set off alarm bells to a buyer or their agent. Old, peeling paint or wallpaper that came with the original home might be simple cosmetic issues, but they can make it seem as though the property has not been maintained.

Above all, clean, declutter, and when you’re done, clean and declutter some more. Nothing matters more than a neat and tidy presentation.

When everything else is set, consider staging your home in a way that gets buyers’ attention.

Searching for a new house in Etobicoke? The posts below will help you get the best value:

Design-to-Stay Renovations

You have a lot more freedom when renovating your home for your own tastes–within reason, of course. You don’t want to go so far overboard that you actually devalue your property or will need to invest thousands of dollars to bring your home back to sale-worthy condition.

However, if you love bold colours and off-the-wall furniture, your home is your canvas to do almost anything you want. The best projects, however, are those you will love that will also add resale value to your home.

Whether selling or staying, you can rarely go wrong with kitchen or bathroom upgrades. Quality flooring is another value add, as is anything that brings your home up to modern codes, such as installing an energy-efficient HVAC system or updating the electrical panel.

When you have a vision, your next step is to follow through and see what it will take to make it a reality. A full-service real estate team with an expanded network of contractors and tradespeople can help you complete the transformation and create a home you (or your buyer) will love for years to come.

Are you in the planning stages to buy or sell a house? Our Etobicoke real estate agents are here for anything you need. Reach out today at 647-282-7653 or email contact@sileckythompson.com with any questions or to get started.