If you intend to sell your house someday, you might be wondering what you can do to guarantee that you get top dollar for it. There are actually many things you can do to make your home more attractive to buyers, like install safety and security devices, but we’ve condensed this article down to the top five ways to get the most return on your investment. These are the steps you can take to have the most impact on your home’s value.

Remember, whenever you buy or sell a house, you need a professional inspection so that you don’t miss underlying problems that could come back to haunt you. 1st Choice Inspection Services in Haslet, TX, has performed over 4,000 inspections on homes throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Call us today to schedule yours!

Make It Pretty

 Curb appeal counts. You want your house to make a great first impression on potential buyers. If they think the house looks attractive and inviting, they are more likely to pay a higher asking price. If the home’s exterior shows signs of damage, the yard is unkempt, or the colors don’t harmonize, it could send buyers on to the next house on their list.

 You can spend as much or as little money as you wish on improving your home’s curb appeal. Mowing the lawn, trimming the hedges, planting inexpensive border flowers, and slapping a fresh coat of paint on the front door can go a long way to improve appearances. To see where improvement is needed, go across the street and snap a picture of your house. Removing the color from the photo can make damaged areas easier to see.

Add Square Footage

Home prices are closely tied to square footage, so the safest way to increase your home’s value is to add on to it. Zillow reports that the median home listing price per square foot is $157. You can make some simple changes, like enclosing your front or back porch, to add onto the livable square footage in your home. If your budget allows, it’s nearly always advantageous to make a home addition.

What should you add? If you have a garage, consider adding a bedroom over it. This new space counts toward your total square footage and can be used as a guest room or rented out for extra income. Additional bedrooms and bathrooms might entice buyers with growing families. A media room or an extra den are great bonus features. Mudrooms are another popular addition, especially with built-in storage.

Make It Efficient

Homebuyers want to go green. If your house has energy-efficient features, it will fetch a higher price. This is another project that can be scaled to fit your budget. Think smart thermostats, EnergyStar-rated windows, new weather stripping, and extra insulation. Or, go bigger with energy-efficient appliances and rooftop solar panels. Efficiency improvements tend to be good investments that bring a healthy return.

Remodel the Kitchen

If you can choose only one room to remodel to increase your home’s value, make it the kitchen. Kitchens sell houses. Update your appliances, countertops, tile and backsplashes. If you have space, add a bar or bench where a family could eat in the kitchen. Make sure there is plenty of natural light coming in, and put the sink area beneath a window with a good view.

Hire an Inspector

 Pre-listing home inspections are becoming more common. Though sellers must pay for them out of pocket, they consider them a good investment because inspections reveal problems with the house that would come out later and could be used to negotiate a lower price for the buyer. By knowing the home’s true condition in advance, sellers can price their homes accordingly and repair what needs fixing before showings begin.

Buying or Selling a Home? Call 1st Choice Inspection Services Today!

Whether you’re preparing to buy or sell a home in Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, or any of the surrounding areas, 1st Choice Inspection Services is here to help. Give us a call today to schedule your home inspection and see why so many clients make us their first choice!