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So you’re trying to sell your home right away or flipping a fixer-upper? Here’s some advice you’d be interested in! It’s every seller’s dream to sell their property fast and for the best price. With all the properties available on the market, however, what you need to do is make your property Stand Out. Rest assured there are many ways to do this, and we’re going to share with you some tips we learned from one of Belize’s most experienced Real Estate Professionals, Carlo Habet, Owner and Broker of 4Realty Ltd.
“The old adage that you only get one shot at a first impression is true. Most often, the prospective buyer will make up his mind in the first seconds of entering a house. This is why it is important to make your house as appealing as it can be; a well-maintained and clean house will sell for more than a similar property that isn’t!“
Here are 3 tips that will improve the value of your home while staying within your budget:
- Cleanliness counts! A Clean Home makes Buyers Dream on
Nothing will give you a better return on your investment than a good house cleaning. A clean house will look more appealing to your realtor when he or she helps you set a price, as well as the prospect buyers when visiting your house. Here are a few ways you can clean up your home most efficiently:
i) Decluttering is key: It is important for future buyers to be able to project themselves in their future home, this is why the rooms need to be cleared of any unnecessary objects. In this case less is always more.
ii) A clean house is a happy house: Start off with the basic sweeping, mopping, wiping windows, corners, and ceilings, and remember to focus on rarely-cleaned areas such as baseboards, grout, or cooling vents.
iii) Play with the olfactory senses: A great smelling home make people feel at home, and one of the easiest ways to do this is by lighting candles or pouring out some fresh pot-pourri.
With a decluttered and clean home, you can now add a few items that seem to make a huge difference. Consider these tips courtesy the inhouse realtor….
Carlo: “The secret to getting the best value for the money you spend is to upgrade, not overhaul. I see a lot of people stress about this because they think it will be expensive, but in reality it just takes some thought, some time and some care. A lot of times you don’t have to spend a dime.”
- A Kitchen Makeover can do Wonders
The Kitchen is the heart of the home and it is the first space potential buyers look at. Ask any real estate expert what the number one upgrade with the greatest return is, and the answer will be the kitchen.
Carlo: “The problem I see with a lot of properties is that they may be great structures in great neighborhoods but have old or worn-out kitchens. What then happens is the buyer needs to factor in the cost of a redo, which in their minds can easily come out to several thousands of dollars. They then take this cost out of the selling price and devalue the property, leading to lower offers.”
Luckily you don’t have to break the bank to upgrade your kitchen! By simply replacing old light fittings with modern ones, adding new cupboard handles, changing the sink and/or faucet or adding modern tops to your kitchen*, you can significantly transform the space.
*All Articles Available at Brothers Habet shop, on 115 Barrack Road Belize City
- Small Bathroom Updates Equal Big Returns
Upgrading the bathroom is always a smart move, and the key to keep costs down is to avoid making changes that require plumbing reconfiguration. You can get more bang for your buck by simply replacing faucets, lights, toilet seats, regrouting tiles, replacing chipped sinks or baths*. Even the smallest upgrades can make a huge difference!
Carlo: “Next to the kitchen, the bathrooms are the second biggest factor in a seller’s decision to purchase or make a good offer. Almost every other room in the house is just a bunch of walls and windows, but the bathroom needs to be clean and well furnished to make an impression. If not this can turn the buyer off completely or result in a much lower offer.”
Extra Tip: When making improvements, use off-the-shelf products; customized features are expensive and often require specialist installation.
*All Articles Available at Brothers Habet shop, on 115 Barrack Road Belize City
There are other ways to improve your home value, such as varnishing your wooden floors and doors, installing modern light switches and outlet covers, cutting grass in your garden, etc. We will give you more tips in our next “Tips brought to you by 4Realty Ltd.“ Let us know if you have any suggestions to add or if you want to share your experience on home upgrades!
And remember, the best way to substantially increase your home’s value and appeal without costing you a lot of money is to do some small yet thoughtful key updates. If you need any advice or prices about materials used to upgrade your home’s value while staying within your budget, contact Carisha at Brothers Habet at sales@brothershabet.com or 224-5423.
For a free evaluation of your house and advice on selling it for the best price, contact Carlo at info@4realtybelize.com.
Now let’s get started!
- Brothers Habet Ltd is one of the oldest leaders in hardware and home improvement supplies in the country and located at 115 Barrack Road, Belize City.
Opening Hours: From Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 5:00 and on Saturday from 8:00 to 12:00
