The Bay area real estate market is booming, and getting the best offer on your San Francisco home means standing out from the competition. Perhaps you’ve been waiting on your home improvement ideas because of the winter blues or the rainy spring season. With summer upon us, now is the perfect opportunity to tackle some simple issues that will attract buyer attention and add value to your San Francisco home’s sale.
Whether a potential buyer is working with an agent or browsing on their own, their crucial first impression is based on exterior appearance, known in the business as “curb appeal.” Tackling exterior home projects will put your best foot forward and greatly improve your chances that a prospective buyer will want to see more. Here are a few simple but highly effective ways to address your home’s appearance and increase your bottom line.
Landscaping can be as simple as tidying up through trimming, weeding, repairing cracked cement, and replacing damaged fence posts. Invest in some mulch, plant new greenery, install a level walkway or construct new raised flowerbeds. The first glance at your location needs to capture attention, and beautiful surrounding flora goes a long way.
As you work on your lawn, you might notice further issues with your home’s exterior. There are two more great ways to improve your curb appeal, and they are both inexpensive. Pressure washing your home is a quick way to remove dirt, mildew and grime from both your home’s exterior and your driveway and walkways. The transformation of color through a high-powered cleaning is amazing, removing years of built-up dirt and grime. In addition to cleaning, adding a new coat of exterior paint will give your home the face-lift it deserves. If you don’t have the time or resources to repaint the entire structure, focus on freshening up your porch, window boxes and shutters with a fresh coat to draw the eye of potential buyers.
Before prospective buyers of your San Francisco home step inside to tour the interior, be sure there is plenty of light shining in to truly showcase the living space. Allowing the brilliant sunlight to come streaming through clean windows and secure screens will greatly accentuate your interior design. Pressure washing will help thoroughly clean your windows, but you will also want to replace any windows that are cracked and screens that are torn or full of holes.
Two features on the exterior of the home which have an enormous impact on the approval of the interior are the air conditioning and deck or porch space. As we all know, the air conditioning unit helps to keep the interior comfortable, and each element must be fully functional to support this. Have your unit evaluated for energy efficiency and, if issues arise, schedule necessary repairs or replacement to offer potential buyers a comfortable environment. Energy efficiency is a huge selling point, so consider adding a smart thermostat system while you’re at it for additional value to buyers.
If you have a deck or porch space, take a close look at its stability and appearance. A new coat of stain or sealer can greatly improve its appearance, and your buyers will appreciate the attractive exterior extensions to your home’s living space. If your home doesn’t have a porch, consider adding one! It will provide you with plenty of outdoor enjoyment as well as a better selling price down the line.
Real estate experts know that one key to selling your home for a great price is creating a modern, functional space. Kitchens and bathrooms are the big winners here. Renovate your kitchen with new countertops, tile floors or refaced cabinets to bring a fresh and attractive feel to your home. Use neutral color schemes and materials that speak to high-end quality. Replace old carpet or linoleum with hardwood for an upgraded look that still offers durability. You don’t have to remodel everything, but choose items that present the most value to potential buyers and go from there.
The housing market in San Francisco often presents steep competition, and you are undoubtedly looking to gain the most equity out of your home when it sells. Make the most of the sunny weather and your free time in the summer months to follow these easy and affordable ways to increase the value of your San Francisco home. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! I love helping my clients improve their homes to get the most out of their sale.
Danielle Lazier + Associates sold over $104,000,000 in San Francisco Bay Area residential real estate in 2018, more homes than any other local realtor, according to the Multiple Listing Service... We specialize in listing, marketing, and representing home buyers in the Noe Valley, Mission Dolores, and surrounding neighborhoods. We provide services for buyers with a range of budget, property type, and location requirements to maximize their San Francisco real estate investment. Our ultimate goal is providing a satisfying experience that delivers results.
