If you had big plans in 2020, whether it was to travel extensively or to finally do major renovations or updates to your home, chances are you had to put your plans on hold due to Covid-19 and the resulting lockdowns that hit Americans in every state hard. Now that the possibility of a second lockdown seems imminent, there are a few things you might want to do, such as having your AC and home appliances updated to Energy Star, having your plumbing inspected and repaired, and even having a water softener and a filtration system installed in your home as well.
If you’re intending to sell your home before the lockdown or even after, you need to make these home renovations now because the buyers market is booming. However, there seem to be certain renovations that potential homebuyers are expecting right now, from improved outdoor spaces with mesquite BBQs to tankless water heaters and even smart toilets.
Now is the time to call in the general contractors and repair services to give you a free estimate on everything from plumbing issues to water heater repairs and from water filtration systems to faucet replacement. Make sure that you talk to a contractor or repair service that has a proven track record of doing a great job and quality customer service skills so that you’re getting your money’s worth on your repairs and renovations. Below you can find a few of the home updates you might want to take care of before the next lockdown happens, especially since the buyer’s market is high at the moment.
1. Update your kitchen and bathroom.
No matter whether there are a pandemic and lockdown going on or not, all potential home buyers love a large kitchen and bathroom. They also love it when a kitchen has all the modern appliances and even the faucets in the bathroom are brand new and sparkling. When you’re updating the kitchen and bathroom, take the time to call in reputable plumbing Mesquite services to add extra water lines, and to check out your plumbing system and pipes to ensure that they are in good shape.
You’re already tearing out things to widen the kitchen and bathroom and even pulling out fixtures to make room for that new garden tub, so why not take it a step further and have your plumbing inspected, and have any plumbing repairs you need taken care of at that time as well?
Another thing to consider when revamping your kitchen is looking into water filtration solutions for your home. Water filtration systems take care of the sediment, hard water, and filtration problems you might be having with the existing water source in your house. In this way, the kitchen won’t just be brand new, it will have fresh, clean, safe water for your family and any family that lives there once you sell the home as well.
2. Upgrade your AC and water heater.
The last thing you want is a potential buyer seeing a dilapidated, worn-out HVAC unit sitting in your yard when they come to view your house. Instead, upgrade your AC unit and furnace by calling a reputable company such as DirectAC to inspect your AC, do AC repairs, and then let you know if you need to replace your HVAC unit. It’s a pretty safe bet that if your AC is over 10 years old, you need to go ahead and replace it, not only to up the value of your home for sale but for the comfort of your family as well.
The same holds true for your water heater. If the water heater is old, it’s best to try to upgrade to a tankless water heater, which will save you money and make sure that your water is good and hot for you and your family.
3. Upgrade your outdoor space.
Most people are suffering from acute cabin fever this year, so any potential buyer that sees a house with a great outdoor space is usually going to be sold. Upgrade your outdoor space with live plants, maybe an outdoor kitchen area, and even a pool if you want to spend that kind of money. If you aren’t planning to move any time soon, then the pool could be a great idea for you and the family.
If you don’t have the money it takes to add a pool or an outdoor kitchen, then even minor upgrades to the landscaping and yard can be quite an incentive to buy and it’ll add value to your property, which is never a bad thing. Even something like adding a fire pit to the patio is a big seller in a world where people have been inside for way too long, and may soon be stuck inside yet again.
4. Paint and Improve the exterior of your home.
One of the best ways to add value to your home and something you will certainly want to get done before the second shutdown begins is improving and painting the exterior of the house. Landscaping is a great way to improve the value of the home, but painting, pruning trees, and just generally picking up your yard will go a long way towards turning a profit on the property when you decide to sell. Start by painting the exterior of the home, then replace things like broken porch lights and broken walkways. Remember, the first thing a potential buyer sees when they come to take a walkthrough of your home is the yard, the porch, and the front door. If your home isn’t welcoming from the beginning, why would potential buyers want to come any further in? You could lose a potential sale by not having a nice yard, a nicely painted front door, and something as simple as a nice welcome mat at the door.
5. Improve the laundry room.
People have understandably become more obsessed with cleaning and disinfecting than they were before Covid-19 hit this year. This also means that laundry rooms are more important than they were pre-Covid to people looking to purchase a home. People are doing laundry much more often after doing errands, and they need a dedicated space to do it in. Improving your laundry room will add value to your home just like the other items on this list. After all, who wouldn’t want to have a dedicated space where they can wash, dry, fold, and iron clothes when they need to?
You can make the laundry room bigger or just add some shelves to give people more storage space. Even if you’re not planning on selling your home anytime soon, this is a home update you’ll want to make before the second shutdown takes effect, so that you’re prepared for doing laundry for your family more often.
It’s also important to follow all safety precautions when having contractors or repair services in and out of your home during this time of crisis. You want to make sure that you and your family are safe, and that the contractor is as well.
These are just a few of the home updates you’ll want to make in the wake of a second shutdown, especially if you’re considering selling your home. Even if you’re not, you and your family will benefit from these updates for years and years to come.
