A Comprehensive Guide for Allen 1st Time Home Buyer Checklist

The cost of home renovation projects can reach almost hundreds of thousands. According to Forbes , complex projects can reach $62,000, even for smaller homes. Given these numbers, it's smart to be strategic about your spending to get the best return. That said, boosting your property's value doesn't have to break the bank. Small, affordable upgrades can make a noticeable impact. If you're looking to sell or rent out your property, we can walk you through simple, budget-friendly improvements that will increase its appeal without emptying your wallet. Ditch The Mess And Clutter The first step we recommend is decluttering. It’s simple and practically free. A tidy, organized space makes your home feel larger and more inviting. Moreover, small, low-cost projects like this often offer an impressive return on investment. This is no surprise, as buyers are usually after more square footage. Start by tackling one room at a time, focusing on high-traffic areas like the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms. Sort through your belongings, then donate or sell anything you don’t need. Make sure you don’t miss your closets and cabinets. Buyers often peek inside, so keeping them organized is a plus. Aside from that, you might want to bring in some affordable organization solutions to your home. These could include: Buying cheap storage bins or baskets to help keep more items out of sight. Placing closet organizers, such as hanging shelves or shoe racks, to make them more functional. Adding hooks, shoe racks, or a storage bench to your entryway. Installing more shelving to organize your spaces without using up more floor space. Refresh Your Curb Appeal When a potential buyer or their agent checks out your home, the first thing they notice is the exterior. The front yard, entryway, and overall appearance set the tone for what’s inside. If the outside looks neglected, it signals that the inside might need work, too. A worn-out exterior can quickly turn people away before they even step through the door, making them miss out on your home's full potential. Taking care of these issues doesn’t have to be expensive, and many tasks you can tackle yourself. In fact, an easy way to increase your curbside charm is by simply tidying up your exterior. This can include mowing the lawn, trimming bushes, pulling weeds, or even placing some potted plants. A report from the National Association of Realtors shows that simple lawn care and basic landscaping can offer big returns. Standard lawn care can recover up to 217% of the cost, while general landscape maintenance can recover 104%. This means you’re not only improving your home's appeal but also potentially getting back more than what you spend when you sell. Besides freshening up your garden, you can also consider the following: Repainting your front door, shutters, or fences Cleaning your driveway and walkway Adding solar-powered garden lights Make Purposeful Interior Upgrades You might think that interior refurbishments are costly, but there’s no need to overhaul everything. You can focus on key areas to get the best bang for your buck. Plus, these upgrades can improve your quality of life while you wait for your house to sell. Most homeowners consider the kitchen the heart of a home and small kitchen upgrades can significantly up your property’s value. Simple modifications can create a fresh, modern feel, attracting more buyers. Consider the following: Repainting or refacing your cabinets Giving your walls a fresh coat of paint Replacing outdated cabinet hardware Installing sleek faucets Installing a new backsplash If you have the budget for it, you can also add new countertops or more functional elements like a pull-out pantry or a kitchen island. Another area you can work on is the bathroom. Simply swapping out fixtures, such as the faucets and showerheads, can modernize the space. Additionally, you can upgrade your mirrors and vanity, as well as regrout or refinish your tiles. Most prospective buyers pay close attention to these two areas as they are often high-traffic zones and can reflect how well you maintain your home. Stage Your Home The above strategies all culminate in home staging. A well-staged home transforms your property into a dream home that people would actually want to buy. This goes beyond aesthetics and is a wise investment with significant gains. According to the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) , on average, sellers spend about 1% of their home’s price on staging, and 75% of them see a return of 5% to 15% over the asking price. Aside from increasing your sale price, it also speeds up the process. A survey from the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) shows that staged homes can have up to a 20% higher selling price and can sell three to 30 times faster than non-staged ones. On the flip side, unstaged homes end up with price cuts that are five to twenty times higher than what staging would have cost. You might be wondering, “How do you stage your home on a budget?” The key is to focus on high-impact areas. These include your bedroom, kitchen, and living room. Then, follow these tips: Clear out unnecessary items, personal photos, and anything too specific to your style. Rearrange existing furniture instead of buying new ones. Open blinds, pull back curtains and clean your windows to let natural light in. Use simple, affordable décor like throw pillows or fresh flowers. Conclusion Property renovations can be a big undertaking, especially when figuring out what will actually increase its value. While not every revamp guarantees a return, the simple tips we listed above can already level up your property’s worth and grab buyers’ interest. Partnering with a professional real estate agent can help you maximize your property’s potential even further. At Cindy Coggins Realty Group, we help you spot important upgrades and repairs, give staging tips, and use our local market expertise to make your home stand out. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and make selling your home easier.