Updating an Older Home to Prepare for a Successful Sale
Posted: January 11th, 2021
When it comes to selling homes, each property requires a unique approach to really make it shine on the market. However, no matter what approach you take, virtually every home sale campaign involves some amount of repairing and upgrading before the “For Sale” sign goes up. According to The Balance, homeowners should consider patching holes, repairing leaks, inspecting the HVAC, and fixing broken appliances at the very least -- but those things should be fairly obvious. After all, what homeowner could imagine themselves at home under a leaky roof or with a broken refrigerator?
Sometimes, however, necessary upgrades and repairs go beyond function. Even if a home is in perfect working order, some outdated designs and features may cause it to sit on the market for an extended period. Recently, Ellingson Properties encountered this issue when listing a beautiful Melbourne, FL, home built in 1967. This home was in pristine condition and showed clear pride in ownership, but its decor and features made it a time capsule to the ‘60s and ‘70s. We wanted to help our client earn a greater return with a quicker sale, so we proposed a renovation project.
Here’s how we did it:
Step 1: Clearing out the house
When we first encountered this home, it still had many of its furnishings and accents. Our first action was to remove and appropriately dispose of the unwanted items within. We also removed curtains, sconces, and other decorative items throughout the house. This allowed us to get a better look at the structure we were working with. This home truly had “good bones” -- concrete block construction on a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home in Melbourne is highly desirable!
Step 2: Working from the bottom up
At the beginning of this project, high-low pile and indoor/outdoor carpeting prevailed throughout the home. While these were fashionable in the ‘70s, a shag carpet can quickly date a property. When we removed the carpeting, we were thrilled to reveal beautiful terrazzo flooring in great condition. Luckily, terrazzo tile is highly fashionable; not to mention it’s one of the most expensive types of flooring to install!
During renovation projects such as these, we often discover hidden gems hiding beneath decor that was contemporary when the house was built. The terrazzo floors created a great focal point throughout the home and provided us with a clearer vision of the final product.
Step 3: Refreshing the walls
Refreshing the walls of this home required more than just a coat of paint. Most rooms featured wood-paneled walls, which won’t be making a comeback in fashionable home design anytime soon. We opted to remove the paneling, repair the drywall beneath, and finish them with a contemporary texture. We also removed the wallpaper from bedrooms and bathrooms, opting for an easygoing neutral palette throughout.
Step 4: Completing the labor-intensive areas (bathrooms and kitchen)
As we’ve mentioned in previous blogs, kitchen and bathroom renovations are best left to the professionals to preserve the integrity of your plumbing and electrical systems. In the bathrooms, we updated the vanities and replaced the toilets. We also replaced worn-out doors with new ones instead of repainting them.
Typically, the kitchen requires the most time and money in a renovation project; in this case, however, the kitchen presented beautifully and functioned well once the terrazzo floors appeared. We simply updated the lighting and replaced the window treatments to make the area feel more spacious.
Wrapping up
When we presented the finished project, the seller was thrilled, and potential buyers responded in kind. In cases like these, a full renovation can actually improve your chances of a successful sale and help you achieve a greater return on your investment. Before you list your home, talk to a real estate professional at Ellingson Properties to determine the best plan of action for your unique property. Give us a call at 321-750-7050 for more information.