So, you’ve decided to put your Pittsburgh property for sale. You expect the offers to come flooding in just after you put up a “For Sale” sign in your front yard. But that’s not how it works, right?
Even though Pittsburgh is an attractive city because of its recreational facilities, good schooling, and medical centers, its population has just grown by 0.18% in the past year. Before this increase, the population had been declining for three years consecutively. As a result, the property value or median sale price in the Pittsburgh real estate market has only increased by 4% since last year.
Average homes in Pittsburgh sell at 2% below the list price. But if you follow these tips, you can make your property a “Hot Home” and sell at 3% higher than the list price.
1. Bathroom Remodeling
Many factors impact the buyer’s decision to purchase a house. And the state of the bathroom is one factor that ranks high on the list of factors. People believe a bathroom renovated with high-quality materials will not have issues like seepage or mold. And, it is somewhat true.
So, a bathroom remodel can be a value-adding home improvement. Believe it or not, a bathroom remodeling in Pittsburgh can give you a pretty high ROI and increase the resale value of your home.
With such a high return on investment, the first item on your list of home improvements should be a bathroom remodel.
2. Revamping the House’s Exterior
A fresh coat of paint can change the look of your house’s exterior. It can make it look fresh, modern, and well-maintained.
But there’s something better than a paint job for revamping the exterior of your house – vinyl siding. Siding makes your house look clean and is a better investment than paint since it has a longer life. If you already have vinyl siding installed, there’s no need to get it replaced unless it has been 20+ years. You can pressure wash the siding to make it look as good as new.
Another way to revamp your house’s exterior is to repaint the windows and the front door. Consider adding a wooden stain to the front door to add some warmth to the house.
If your goal is to make your home look warm and inviting, add some elements like window boxes and plants near your front door. These small details can make a huge difference to the house’s curb appeal and increase its value.
3. Tend to your Garden
Besides refreshing the paint or vinyl siding outside your house, you must ensure your garden looks neat and well-maintained. If your house looks like it’s been newly painted, but the grass looks unkempt, it will tarnish the curb appeal of the house. If you have plants, trim them so they look neat.
Potential buyers can visit your property at any time of the day – even in the evening or just before sundown. Invest in small light bulbs that line your garden and lights to illuminate the house from the outside. These small details will make your house and garden look appealing, making a lasting first impression before the visitors head inside.
4. Focus on Flooring
Broken tiles and faded wooden flooring can devalue your house. So, apart from remodeling the bathroom and the kitchen, consider getting the flooring repaired or redone. You can invest in a complete flooring job or repair the tiles in the places where it is damaged.
Another great, cost-efficient idea is to purchase and add peel-and-stick vinyl flooring. The priority areas should be the kitchen, the main entrance, and the living room. Clean carpets can work well for all the bedrooms to make them look presentable.
5. Remove all the Clutter
Most homeowners putting up their properties on the market prefer moving out because of the clutter issue. They cannot keep their house spotless, clean, and ready for potential buyers all the time.
However, some homeowners cannot move out of the property before they sell it. In this case, they should remove all the clutter from the house.
6. Let the Natural Light In
Natural light is a powerful tool for making a home feel larger and more inviting. When natural light floods in, it can make a space feel brighter, airier, and more open. It is because natural light helps to reflect light around the room, making it appear larger than it is.
However, dark curtains block natural light, making a space feel smaller and more cramped. If you have dark curtains in your home, it is important to open them up when showing your home to potential buyers.
In addition to opening up the curtains, you can complement the natural light by turning on the light fixtures in your home.
7. Give Every Room a Purpose
People who are looking for houses are looking for a place where they can envision themselves. They need to assess the house’s many storage options, how the basement can be used most efficiently, and how a small room’s capacity can be used to the max.
Because you want the property to appeal to the buyers, you can hire staging services to make the place look presentable and give every place a purpose. When interested buyers can see how they can use all the space in the house, they are more likely to put up a good offer.
Final Words
Getting good value in the competitive real estate market is tough in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. But with these seven useful tips, you can convert your average house into a “Hot Home” in the market.
This blog’s tips include remodeling your bathroom, working on your home’s curb appeal, replacing the flooring, and staging the house to make it appealing to potential buyers. But before you follow these tips blindly, assess your home and identify the areas that need improvement the most. Then, you can take guidance from these tips to increase the value of your property.