DESIGN NOTES
Standing out in the real estate market is key in the race to sell your house. Many home sellers get ‘shiny object syndrome’ when deciding on repairs to make before attempting to sell. Not all repair efforts are made equal – meaning it doesn’t make sense to fix everything. A few smart renovations can significantly tilt the odds in your favor. Selling a home fast will get way easier after implementing these aesthetic changes. Let’s explore why each renovation works well for home sellers and how they can transform your house into the hottest property on the block.
1. Kitchen Facelift
The kitchen is the money maker (or breaker) in a home sale. Houses typically sell much faster when the kitchen is in great condition. Giving this space a facelift can drastically change your home’s appeal to excited families ready to move in. You’ll have an easier time marketing the property and ultimately getting more offers.
A full kitchen renovation sounds scary and expensive. Start with smaller items. For example, upgrading to stainless steel appliances offers a sleek, modern look while improving functionality. Home sellers can also replace outdated countertops with quartz or granite. This is a relatively easy switch that home buyers love.
Next, focus on the cabinets. Painting them or adding new hardware is a simple way to renovate the kitchen without breaking the bank. LED lighting under the cabinets or over the island is another small win that can create a fresh, new atmosphere. These changes can make your kitchen a dream space for the next homeowners.
2. Bathroom Bliss
Bathrooms can make or break a home sale. Besides the kitchen, they are arguably the most important rooms in the entire property. Renovating a bathroom can significantly boost your home’s appeal. Start with the basics!
Does the plumbing work efficiently? Small fixes throughout this room can help you sell your house fast. Update fixtures and install a walk-in shower with frameless glass doors. These changes create a sense of luxury inside the bathroom. Of course, a quick paint job also doesn’t hurt.
If you’re open to more unique renovation ideas, heated floors can add a touch of unexpected comfort to bathrooms that home buyers enjoy. Adding a few high-end touches, such as a rainfall showerhead or a bespoke mirror, can turn an ordinary bathroom into an extraordinary one.
3. Creating Curb Appeal
The exterior of your home is its handshake with the world. Curb appeal isn’t always taken as seriously when preparing to sell a house. However, it is the first opportunity to impress potential buyers. Simple updates like painting the front door or replacing old hardware (think door handles and knockers) add a modern touch to your home.
Landscaping is another critical factor when it comes to enhancing curb appeal. Well-placed shrubs, colorful flower beds, and a manicured lawn will help drive more interested buyers to you, ideally generating more offers. Home sellers can add outdoor lighting as well. This is another cheaper addition to your home-selling efforts.
Consider repairing cracks in the driveway if they are a major eyesore. These enhancements increase curb appeal and suggest to buyers that the interior is just as well maintained. Buyers will be more confident making offers to you. Ultimately, you’ll be able to sell your house much faster when cleaning up the exterior of your property.
Walker WoodworkingOne of the main questions asked during the design meeting is what color the owners want for their kitchen cabinets. Were they looking to do a natural wood or a color instead? While many will opt to do the wood, many enjoy adding a splash of color to their kitchen or mixing and matching. It is a great way to break up the area and create a focal point, but with so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you? While it is up to you in the end, there are three colors that have stood out for some time and will most likely continue to do so. White, gray, and blue remain high on the selection chart, so let’s talk about these popular colors and why they may be the right fit for you.
Walker WoodworkingWhile the kitchen was often viewed as the place where food was merely prepped and served, it has transitioned into a command center as people gather to talk or enjoy a snack while getting some work done. Layouts have slowly shifted to accommodate this change, which has produced the open concept. This floor plan allows families to stay connected even when they are doing things in different areas of the home. While not as popular as it was in the 1990s and early 2000s, many families still choose this floor plan because of their desire to stay close to their family and guests. Today, we want to discuss the open floor concept, the elements that make it up, and if it is the right fit for your family.
Greenbrook DesignYou have just waved goodbye to your last child as they head out to college. While you adjust to not having kids in the house, you also begin to realize that you now have more space, but you’re not sure what to do with it. There are many ways to reuse the space, expand existing spaces, or make room for something new. Let’s take a look at the design possibilities available to you.
In the second of our three-part series on selection tips, we want to focus on tile. Backsplash, shower walls, and flooring are just a few of the many uses for tile since it is beautiful, durable, and timeless. Sometimes considered a small part of the design, it has the potential to make a big impact on the design. Here are some helpful tips when choosing tile.
While cabinets tend to be the focal point of the main spaces, such as kitchens and bathrooms, it is the details that add the final touch to the design. The selection process can be one of the highlights of the design phase, but it can also be overwhelming with multiple styles, colors, and options. In this three-part series, we want to give our best tips for the top three categories of selections and help make this as enjoyable and simple as possible. Our focus today is hardware.
Walker Woodworking 