For HomeownersFor SellersMake More Money Selling Your HomeReal EstateSeattleSeattle real estate May 20, 2011

Spend a Little Money on your Home to Make More Money When You Sell Your Home

If you spend a little money to fix up your home, it will help you make more money when you sell. The little things can help you dress up your home and give you a lot more bang for the buck.   As I’ve mentioned in previous posts,  there are some easy and inexpensive ways to give your home a newer feel.  In the eastside neighborhoods of Seattle, it’s important to do some of these updates because buyers still have a lot of homes to choose from.  Plus, buyers always think it’s harder to make updates than it really is and it will cost them more to do than it really does cost.  This could mean the buyers make a lower offer or they don’t make an offer at all.   I always tell my sellers when the buyers walk into the entry, you don’t want the first thing they think to be:  “I have to change that brass chandelier in the entryway.”  Your goal should be to have the buyers walk in and focus on the home, not something that needs an update.  Eliminate an old light fixture before it becomes an issue.

Recently, I made the trip to Home Depot and Seattle Eastside’s Crescent Lighting Store with one of my clients.   My goal for this home was to update it with some great looking fixtures, but in as economical way as possible. The home is in excellent condition and shows well, but some new fixtures would dress it up beautifully.  The fixtures below are great for traditional homes and work well for homes in the Seattle area that are below the $650,000 price point.  More expensive homes may command more expensive fixtures.  When you go looking for fixtures, take some photos of your spaces and the existing fixtures.  It will help you to pick out the right style for your home. 

Below are some of the plumbing and lighting fixtures we picked out:

Fixtures for updating a home

Chrome Faucet- good for updating a bathroom

Updating a Bathroom to sell a home

Brushed Nickel Faucets

The lighting fixtures should relate well to one another and share a similar style.  If you buy brushed nickel lights, then all of the fixtures should match with a  brushed nickel feel.    The same should happen with the shades or glass bowls.  Many of the bowls today are a smooth frosted look.  Again, all of the lighting should have the same glass look.   Talk with some of the people working in the store and have them help you to choose lighting that comes from a similar line and works well together.

Light fixtures to update a home for sale

Kitchen light fixture to update a home

Fixtures to update a home

Entry Light that will dress up a home

Fixtures to Dress Up a Home for sale

Dining Room Light Fixture

The total cost for this project was about $500.00.  It is $500.00 that is very well spent and will add that finishing touch to a great home.  Can you think of some other inexpensive ways to dress up a home?