9 Small (But Mighty) Home Updates Agents Recommend Before Listing
The Top 5 Pre-Listing Updates for Pittsburgh Homes
Pittsburgh is one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania, thanks, in part, to the affordability of its homes. But Pittsburgh also has the 4th oldest housing stock in the country, with approximately half of its houses now over 80 years old. So, before Pittsburgh homeowners sell their homes, pre-listing updates are a critical step.
After all, wear and tear are expected over time, and design trends come and go. To appeal to today’s buyers and maximize your home’s value, you have to appeal to what buyers are looking for.
Here are the top 5 pre-listing updates we recommend making in Pittsburgh:
Deferred Maintenance
If yours is one of Pittsburgh’s older homes, some general maintenance is likely in order. Maybe because you’ve put it off or because you just weren’t aware of growing issues. In either case, it’d be wise to have a pre-listing inspection done before starting on any updates. This will give you an overall picture of the condition of your home and help you prioritize the most critical home inspection repairs and improvements.
For example, you may need to address:
- Rotting wood siding
- Plumbing problems
- Cracks in the foundation or walls
- Uneven or otherwise damaged flooring
- Dull, chipping, or peeling paint
Taking care of these issues before listing your house can attract a broader set of interested buyers, reduce the time spent on the market, and help you pocket more profit.
Interior and Exterior paint
A fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference when selling your home! It increases curb appeal on the outside and makes a home feel more comfortable and inviting on the inside. Paint is one of the best ways to create a positive first impression with buyers. But not just any color will do! Make sure you’re painting your walls a color that will drive up your home value and maximize profit.
Flooring Updates
Depending on your current flooring and its condition, you may need to update or repair your floors to attract buyers.
For example, if you have hardwood floors that are scratched, dented, stained, or worn after years of use, you could sand and refinish them. Or you could replace wall-to-wall carpeting with luxury vinyl tile, ceramic tile, or hardwood to give your home a more modern, high-end feel. All three are popular options among today’s buyers and can increase your home’s resale value.
Bathroom Refresh or Remodel
We can’t talk about Pittsburgh home improvements without mentioning bathroom renovation and remodeling. Next to kitchens, bathrooms are among the top rooms buyers scrutinize and may need several updates.
These bathroom improvements could range from small changes such as installing new cabinets or replacing flooring to more significant updates. For example, you may need to consider expanding your master bathroom, revamping the layout, or adding an additional bathroom to meet the local market’s needs. Adding a bathroom, even if just a half bath, dramatically increases your home’s value.
Your Realtor®—in partnership with Pittsburgh’s leading pre-listing renovation experts, Curbio—can advise you on what bathroom upgrades would be worthwhile. Plus, Curbio will front the cash for your project, take care of it quickly so your agent can list your home ASAP, and wait until the house sells to be paid for the work.
Not only can your agent team up with Curbio to sell your home faster and for more money, but you won’t have to worry about the usual upfront costs of pre-sale home improvements!
Kitchen Upgrades
Do your cabinets or countertops look dated? Does your kitchen feature a (too) colorful backsplash, oil-rubbed bronze hardware, or another trend that has gone out of style? If your kitchen hasn’t been upgraded in recent years, now’s the time to change that.
In doing so, don’t just consider what kitchen design trends are popular in 2021 or in general. Work with your real estate agent to find the right balance between what local buyers want now and what upgrades will stand the test of time. This will increase what buyers are willing to pay for your home.
The Realtors® Curbio partners with have seen impressive results (including an average profit increase of $50,000 for their clients) from:
- Swapping dated countertops such as Corian for granite or quartz
- Replacing oil-rubbed bronze hardware with brushed gold, muted brass, brushed nickel, or chrome
- Adding statement islands
Ask your real estate agent how Curbio can help you maximize your profit from the sale of your home through kitchen upgrades and other improvements!
Curbio is here for Realtors® and their clients to make preparing homes for sale effortless. We tackle any home improvements needed to get homes sold fast—and we wait until the house sells to be paid for our work. We don’t charge any interest or fees and give you peace of mind, knowing you’re unlocking the true value of your home.
Ask your Realtor® about working with Curbio today, and have them get started by requesting a free, no-obligation estimate.