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How to Add More Value to Your Home Before You Sell

Selling a home can be a challenging process, but by making strategic improvements, you can significantly increase its value and appeal to potential buyers. Here are some effective ways to add more value to your home before putting it on the market.

Upgrade Your Garage Door

One of the simplest yet most impactful upgrades you can make is replacing your garage door. According to Bob Vila, 70% of Realtors believe that a new garage door can help sell a house faster and for a higher price. A new garage door enhances curb appeal, giving your home a fresh and well-maintained appearance. It also improves security and energy efficiency, which are key selling points for buyers. Consider choosing a style that complements the overall design of your home for a cohesive look.

Enhance Landscaping

First impressions are crucial when selling a home, and landscaping plays a significant role in creating an inviting exterior. Quality landscaping can boost your home’s resale value by as much as 14%. This can include simple tasks like mowing the lawn, trimming bushes, and adding colorful plants and flowers. For a more substantial impact, consider adding features such as a new walkway, outdoor lighting, or a water feature. A well-maintained garden not only makes your home more attractive but also suggests to potential buyers that the property has been well cared for.

Focus on Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is a vital aspect of attracting buyers, and the roof is a major component of your home’s exterior. Depending on the architecture, the roof can make up 40% of the visible exterior, significantly influencing the home’s overall look. Ensure your roof is in good condition and free from visible damage. If necessary, invest in repairs or a replacement. A clean, well-maintained roof can enhance the aesthetic appeal and suggest reliability, reducing concerns about potential future repairs.

Update the Kitchen

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home and is a major factor in homebuying decisions. Simple updates, such as replacing outdated appliances, updating cabinetry hardware, and installing new countertops, can make a big difference. A fresh coat of paint and modern lighting fixtures can also brighten up the space. By creating a modern and functional kitchen, you can attract buyers who are looking for a home that doesn’t require immediate renovations.

Refresh Bathrooms

Bathrooms are another area where small updates can yield significant returns. Replacing old fixtures, adding new lighting, and updating the vanity can give the bathroom a fresh, modern look. Consider regrouting tiles, replacing worn-out caulk, and adding a fresh coat of paint to make the space feel clean and inviting. These improvements can make a big difference in how buyers perceive the overall condition of your home.

Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

A new coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to refresh your home’s interior and exterior. Choose neutral colors that appeal to a wide range of buyers and make spaces feel larger and brighter. Painting can hide minor imperfections and give your home a well-maintained appearance. Don’t forget to paint the front door, as this small detail can significantly enhance your home’s curb appeal.

Improve Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important to homebuyers. Upgrading to energy-efficient windows, adding insulation, and installing a programmable thermostat can make your home more appealing. These improvements can reduce utility bills and improve comfort, which are attractive features for buyers. Highlighting these energy-efficient features in your listing can set your home apart from others on the market.

Declutter and Depersonalize

Before showing your home, take the time to declutter and depersonalize each room. Removing personal items, excess furniture, and unnecessary decor can make your home feel more spacious and allow potential buyers to envision themselves living there. Consider renting a storage unit to store items that are not essential for daily living. A clean, organized home creates a positive impression and helps buyers focus on the features of the property rather than the clutter.

Stage Your Home

Staging your home can enhance its appeal and help buyers see its full potential. This can involve rearranging furniture, adding decorative elements, and highlighting the home’s best features. Professional staging can make a significant difference, but even simple DIY staging efforts can be effective. The goal is to create an inviting, functional space that appeals to a wide range of buyers.

Making strategic improvements before selling your home can significantly increase its value and attract more potential buyers. By upgrading your garage door, enhancing landscaping, focusing on curb appeal, updating key areas like the kitchen and bathrooms, and improving energy efficiency, you can create a more appealing and valuable property. These efforts, combined with decluttering, depersonalizing, and staging, will help you sell your home faster and for a higher price.

A New Beginning: Rediscovering Myself After the Nest Emptied

by Hope

I wrote this week about the weight that was lifted when Beauty bought a car. To be honest, while I occasionally noticed the boundary or restriction sharing a car placed on me. It rarely was a challenge.

But it was amazing, how much even this small obligation being lifted changed my mindset.

Single Mom, Sole Provider

As a single mom, my life revolved around my children. (I know, the BAD community has many opinions on just how much it has.) Every decision, every action was driven by the desire to provide them with the best possible life. I balanced work, parenting, and household responsibilities, always with the weight of being the sole provider. The pressure was immense, but it also gave my life a clear purpose. However, when my children grew up and left the nest, I was faced with a challenge I hadn’t anticipated: rediscovering myself. (This hit home this past year as the 3 boys moved to different states and Princess moved into year round housing at school.)

When Gymnast left for Texas last summer, I found myself standing in a quiet house. The silence was deafening. For the first time in years, I didn’t have a busy schedule dictating my every move. No school events to attend, no meals to prepare at specific times, no late-night talks to reassure them that everything would be okay. It was just me. (Yes, Beauty is till here. It’s just a very different dynamic when a child comes into your family basically grown. It’s not a judgement, it’s just very different.)

Emptiness and Grief

At first, the emptiness felt overwhelming. I experienced a mix of emotions: pride for the independent individuals my children had become, sadness for the end of an era, and a profound sense of loss. Who was I if not their mom? The role that had defined me for so long was no longer my primary focus, and it left me feeling untethered.

The psychological challenges were real. I had to confront the fact that I had neglected my own needs and dreams for years. The intense pressure to be both mother and provider had left little room for self-reflection or personal growth. I realized that I had to redefine my identity and find a new purpose that was just for me.

I began by giving myself permission to grieve. It was important to acknowledge the end of this chapter in my life. I allowed myself to feel the sadness and the loss, understanding that these emotions were a natural part of the transition. Therapist friends helped me navigate this uncharted territory. (Did you know that my background is in social work? It’s where I started my career, so I have a plethora of therapists friends from WAY WAY back. While I didn’t go to therapy officially, I’ve definitely reached out to friends when I was drowning for some guidance and tough love.)

AI generated single mom

Finding Out Who I Am Now

Slowly, I started exploring interests and passions that I had set aside. I enrolled in a macrame class because Princess loves it. It is definitely not my thing, but I was proud of myself for showing up. I started journaling, capturing my thoughts and emotions on paper, which helped me process the changes I was going through. I even picked up knitting again, a hobby I learned with Princess about 8 years ago in Virginia but abandoned as life got busier. (I will never be a expert at anything creative, my mind doesn’t work that way, but it is nice to get a break from the computer.)

With each new activity, I discovered a piece of myself that had been buried under the responsibilities of motherhood. I found joy in the simple act of creating, or at least trying to create something new, whether it was a dish in the kitchen or a square knot rope for macrame. Expanding my social circle beyond the realm of my children’s activities has been the hardest. Due to my lack of hearing and introverted-ness, I still greatly rely of my network that consists of friends and family that knew me before…before the move to Georgia, before the extreme isolation in this tiny town.

As I embraced these new experiences, I began to feel a shift within myself. The pressure of being the sole provider had been lifted, and with it, a weight I hadn’t fully realized I was carrying. I am no longer defined solely by my role as a mother. I am rediscovering who I am as an individual.

Empowered and Growing

This journey of self-discovery led me to a newfound sense of empowerment. I realized that I had the strength and resilience to reinvent myself. The skills and qualities that had made me a dedicated mother and provider were now helping me carve out a new path. I became more confident in pursuing opportunities that excited me, both personally and professionally.

In this new chapter of my life, I am more than just a mother. I am a woman who has rediscovered her passions and embraced her individuality. The psychological challenges of this transition were significant, but they also paved the way for immense personal growth. I am grateful for the journey and excited for the future, knowing that I have the power to continually evolve and create a life that is fulfilling and uniquely my own.

To any other single moms out there facing a similar transition, know that it’s okay to feel lost at first. (Or even those who aren’t there yet, please be forewarned, it’s coming and it’s tough!) Embrace the journey of self-discovery, and remember that this new beginning is an opportunity to become the best version of yourself. The nest may be empty, but your life is full of endless possibilities.

And this girl has BIG, BIG plans! The tides are turning…

I feel strong and hopeful. And that’s making such a big difference with every aspect of my life but ESPECIALLY financially and professionally! The best is yet to come, I just know it.

Hope

Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 3 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.