If you’re in the market to sell, you probably feel like you could use all the help you can get. You’ve heard realtors talk about remodeling projects to make your home stand out, but which are worth it?
If you’re asking yourself that question, your most helpful tool will be Remodeling Magazine’s Cost versus Value report. Published once a year, it’s an analysis of remodeling projects with the highest (and lowest) value. You can select your region (New England, Middle Atlantic, etc.) and view the average cost of particular projects as well as the estimated resale value.
Obviously, those numbers are incredibly difficult to pin down, but Remodeling Magazine does their research, using figures from the National Association of Realtors, several market research companies, and thousands of web-based surveys.
If you decide to remodel a particular room after using the report, use these additional tips to amp up the lighting – and make your home more attractive to buyers:
1. Sell on Sunshine: This one doesn’t cost a cent, and it’s a tried and true strategy for home stagers. Avoid blocking natural light at all costs. Move around your furniture, adjust your window treatments, trim outside bushes blocking the windows, and give those panes a nice scrub. Potential buyers are looking for lots of natural light, so let that sunlight stream in as much as possible.
2.Go Green: There’s no doubt that energy efficiency is a selling point right now. Potential buyers want to know that they won’t be slapped with a huge power bill a month after move-in. Install energy efficient light bulbs and low-energy light fixtures, then tout the benefits of going green.
3. Layer, Layer, Layer: Layering your lighting is a general rule in lighting design. If you’re selling a home, this is especially crucial in the bathroom. According to industry expert Nora DePalma of O’Reilly/DePalma; “Bathrooms are one area where home buyers make decisions because it will be one of the most used rooms in the house. Make them look bright, absolutely spotless, and loaded with storage options.”
The key to effective, bright lighting in the bathroom is to incorporate the three layers of light. There should be general illumination via overhead or ceiling lighting, task lighting via vanity light fixtures, and accent lighting that in some way highlights architectural details or interesting decor.
4. Lower the Lights: If you don’t already have dimmers in your home, installing a few before a showing can work for you in two ways. First, you can set the lights at a cozy level that warms up the space visually. Second, they can serve as yet another valuable asset to your home’s features!
5. Roleplay: Put yourself in the home buyer’s shoes and take a discerning look at your light fixtures. You may have lived with them for years, so be honest with yourself: Are they outdated? If they are bordering on “eyesore,” invest a little bit of money on a more contemporary style. Replacing just a few light fixtures can make a huge difference in the overall feel of your home.