What are the most important upgrades that increase your home’s sale price in Oklahoma City? In order to answer this question, we have to think about what buyers in the area want. Focusing on important upgrades helps you sell your home quickly and make the most out of your budget. This article will help you figure out how to pick the upgrades that will increase the sale price of your home. Let’s have a look.
Even though you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, it is easy to find homebuyers doing just that. The outside of the home makes a powerful impression, draws buyers in, and sells homes faster. Curb appeal efforts can increase a home’s value by 10% or more. There are a variety of things to do to spice up the outside of your home.
One of the most obvious might be landscaping. Planting trees and shrubs, installing sprinklers, and keeping the lawn green are valuable considerations. But don’t stop at the front yard.
Buyers want places they can see themselves hosting friends and family. The backyard can be just as important as the front. Patios and pergolas are excellent upgrades that make the hot months more enjoyable. Installing a fire pit can really help someone picture hanging out with their friends and neighbors, and can even bring comfort during the occasionally chilly nights. It is nice to have a place for barbecues and holidays.
In a place formally dubbed “America’s Manliest City,” it shouldn’t be surprising to hear buyers asking how big the deck is. Lumber prices have surged, which means wood decks can be expensive! If the home already has a deck in decent condition, it would be worth sealing.
Is there a wood fence? Wood fences can add more value than other types. Wood fences are only attractive if they’re taken care of. Sealing the fence will make it more valuable in the eyes of the buyer, and is a better investment than finding a local pro to install a new fence. Lumber is expensive, and a well cared for fence will rake in extra dough. If there is a wood fence, consider staining it.
The idea is to make the house look amazing before they step a foot inside. Focusing on yards and landscaping can really improve the curb appeal of a home.
Speaking of curb appeal, nothing says buy this house like a fresh coat of paint inside and out. Painting is affordable and can really make a big difference. The idea is to choose colors that appeal to the most buyers. Being strategic about color choice is important for reaching the widest variety of people.
There is a timeless decorating formula called the three color rule. The rule says 60% should be the primary color, 30% the secondary color, and 10% the accent color. Use one color for the siding, another for the trim, and a third for the doors and shutters.
Being strategic inside is fairly easy. The same three color rule applies to decorating choices made inside. Monochromatic themes can be relaxing. It is all about picking colors that people can picture their things matching.
Recommended Paint Colors: Beige | Greige | Gray | Tan | Taupe
Picking neutral colors will appeal to the widest range of people. It is best to avoid bright colors that buyers might worry about repainting.
Finding a painter you can trust is getting easier and easier. The internet has changed how we find the skilled labor we need for jobs like painting. Nowadays, you can just use an app like Houzz to find the right painter for the job. Qualified contractors get the leads by signing up with services like Houzz Pro. This makes it super convenient for both sides because there is a trusted middle party. End users don’t have to vet third party recommendations. Going this direction avoids any risk of hurt feelings when word-of-mouth referrals from your best friends don’t work out.
Indoor paint pays for itself, and outdoor paint helps with the highly desirable curb appeal. Whether you decide to do it yourself or find a pro, painting is an important way to increase your home’s sale price.
Buyers care about parking in Oklahoma City.
When you have a big patio, backyard, deck, and firepit, chances are you’ll have company. You don’t want to run out of places for your guests to park.
Public transportation isn’t a primary mode for most people in the area, so having extra parking spaces is important. When you have visitors, they’re going to need a place to park their car.
If the garage door is old and outdated, it can be a major distraction. Buyers in the area care about garages because so many people drive their own cars. If it needs it, upgrading the garage door will pay for itself.
Adding parking spots and updating the garage are excellent ways to increase the sale price of your home.
Being green is popular with buyers. You can bet energy efficiency is on the minds of people shopping for homes in Oklahoma City.
It is clear, windows are valuable upgrades. Buyers will be on the lookout for cost cutting features like energy efficient windows. According to the US Department of Energy, “Heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use.” Good windows are important for keeping the summer heat out while you relax in the comfort of your air conditioning. With upgraded windows, climate controlled air stays inside where it belongs.
Besides windows, upgrading the appliances can be valuable to eco-minded shoppers. Most buyers don’t want to replace appliances when they move in. It is even better if sellers can show the appliances in the house actually save money.
According to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders, if a home shows reduced energy costs of $1,000 each year, the average home buyer will pay an additional $8,728. Buyers are happy to pay more up front to save in the long run. The potential for return is high with energy efficiency upgrades.
Adding a spare room can really add to the price tag of a home.
There is a huge portion of the population working from home, and that doesn’t look like it will change soon. According to Gallup, “37% of Desks Will Be Empty” as workers heavily favor the flexibility and wellbeing that comes with working from home. Spare rooms are being converted to home offices for folks working from home.
It makes sense that a wide range of buyers would appreciate usable home office areas with working from home becoming the new normal.
If you have an unfinished basement, this option will be ideal for you.
If you’re from the area, then you’re familiar with tornado warnings. Oklahoma City is in the middle of the infamous Tornado Alley, an area prone to severe storms and tornadoes. With over 170 tornadoes since 1890, Oklahoma City is one of the most tornado-prone major metropolitan areas in the world. Homeowners have two primary lines of defense against tornadoes, insurance and storm shelters.
Adding a storm shelter can attract buyers from out of state. Moving to an area with high tornado activity is not very appealing to many people. Adding a safe room to the property will give buyers the peace of mind they want when they’re considering moving to the potential path of a tornado.
With some planning, the storm shelter can be more than just a safe room. A storm shelter can double as a wine cellar or gun closet, amenities that add even more value to your home.
There are a lot of options to consider for upgrading your Oklahoma City home before a sale. Narrowing down your choices isn’t always easy. Some of the most important things include the yard, paint, parking, spare rooms, energy efficiency, and storm shelters. We might not have the time or budget to do everything we want to, but completing these cost effective upgrades will increase the sale price of your home.
If you’re still unsure what to do, it might be wise to schedule some time to get advice from an agent that will sell your home.