By Lesa 
Thinking about how to sell your house fast in today’s market?
Here’s the dirty little secret about selling houses fast.
It’s something most homeowners get completely wrong.
Think big renovations = big returns when you sell.
Wrong.
Think smart renovations that speed up your home selling process = major results.
Today you’re going to discover exactly which renovations sell houses fast in today’s competitive market.
Let’s jump in.
What You’ll Learn in This Post:
- Why Smart Renovations Are More Important Than Ever Before
- Front Door Renovations That Get Double Your Money Back
- The Kitchen Improvements That Buyers Love (But Don’t Break The Bank)
- Bathroom Additions and Upgrades Buyers Absolutely Can’t Live Without
- The Amazing Curb Appeal Wins You May Be Missing
- Bonus Secret Renovation All Sellers Should Know
Smart Renovations Are More Important Than Ever
But first, there’s something most sellers don’t realize…
The home selling game has changed dramatically.
You’ve probably seen some of the numbers in your local market. Inventory is still on the low side. You have to be move-in ready or buyers don’t even give your house a chance.
Here’s more good news if you’re thinking about selling your Lincoln house fast.
It turns out buyers are also pickier than ever about what they expect to see in a move-in ready home.
A recent study showed 8% of homeowners renovated specifically in preparation to sell their house. That’s up from 6% just one year ago.
8% is a lot of people. That means if you need to sell your house fast Omaha, you’ve got some serious competition.
The last thing you want is to have renovations that slow down the home selling process or delay the sale process even more. The right renovations can lead to multiple offers in the first week. The wrong renovations can lead to months of heartache.
When done correctly, the right home renovations will:
- Get your home above the crowd
- Make your home one of the top offers for buyers
- Lead to multiple offers
- Help you make more money from your home sale
In today’s market, it’s not about if you renovate. It’s about which renovations you do.
The Front Door Renovations That Get Double Your Money Back
Here’s the single easiest thing you can do to boost your home’s value.
Swap out your front door.
Recent statistics showed a steel entry door replacement yielded a 188% return on investment (ROI). To put that into real dollars, the average steel front door costs $2,355. Replacing your front door with steel can potentially add another $4,430 in value to your home.
Why do front door replacements work so well?
Steel doors are more energy efficient. Steel doors fit tighter in the door frames. When doors don’t fit properly, cold air and heat escapes. Plus, energy efficient doors are a huge selling point. Energy efficient doors cut your heating and cooling costs.
The front door is the very first thing people see when they pull up to your home. Nothing says, “Hey! Look at me!” like an updated, great-looking front door.
The Kitchen Improvements That Buyers Love
Here’s the number one myth sellers have in the kitchen.
They think they need a full kitchen remodel.
False.
Minor kitchen remodels that don’t include upscale appliances recover 96% of the cost in value. Upscale major kitchen remodels? Expect to recoup only 38% of your renovation costs.
What are some smart kitchen updates that buyers will notice?
- New paint (always choose neutral colors)
- New cabinet hardware (handles and pulls)
- Updated light fixtures
- New faucet and sink
- Refinishing existing cabinets instead of replacing them
According to nearly half of all realtors, painting the entire home’s interior before selling is one of the most important renovations to increase your home value. 30% of realtors recommend a kitchen upgrade specifically.
The goal isn’t to make your kitchen a Pinterest page that buyers drool over. The goal is to make your kitchen a space where buyers can picture cooking their first meal.
Bathroom Additions and Upgrades Buyers Can’t Live Without
Buyers love bathrooms.
After kitchens, bathrooms are the next most important room to home buyers. The good news is you don’t have to gut the entire space to make a significant impact on your home selling process.
What are some high-impact bathroom updates?
- Replace old fixtures (faucets, showerheads, towel bars)
- New vanity lighting
- New vanity or refinished existing vanity
- Extra storage with medicine cabinets or shelving
- Fresh caulk around the tub and shower
Modern buyers are looking for more spa-like bathrooms. That doesn’t mean gold fixtures and Italian marble. It means clean, bright spaces that make buyers feel relaxed.
Lighting is everything in a bathroom. If your bathroom has that single overhead light that makes everyone look terrible, replace it. Good mirror lighting is a must.
The Amazing Curb Appeal Wins You May Be Missing
Garage doors are the unsung heroes of home selling.
Recent data shows garage door replacements had an average return of 194%. In other words, you’ll get nearly double what you spend back on your home value.
Why are garage doors so effective?
Garage doors are huge. They’re one of the largest visible items on the front of your home. One old, beat-up garage door can make your entire home look dated and poorly maintained.
What other curb appeal wins should you focus on?
- Fresh mulch in landscaping beds
- Power wash the driveway and walkways
- Trimming overgrown bushes and trees
- Add colorful flowers near the home’s entrance
- Clean or replace mailbox
Buyers need to be excited about your house before they even open the front door.
Paint Your Way To A Faster Sale
Here’s the easiest home renovation that 9 out of 10 homes need…
Paint.
Paint is the silver bullet to speed up the home selling process. Painting makes everything look updated, clean, and well-maintained.
Stick with neutral colors when painting your home. You want buyers to imagine their furniture and decorations in the space. Warm whites, light grays, and soft beiges are always popular neutral colors.
Paint the rooms buyers will see first: entryway, living rooms, and master bedroom.
Smart Flooring Options and Quick Fixes
Hardwood floors still rule the home selling roost.
If you have hardwood floors hidden under carpet, refinishing hardwood floors will yield a 147% ROI.
Budget-friendly flooring options:
- Luxury vinyl plank (hardwood look for less)
- Professional carpet cleaning for newer carpets
Quick fixes that make a big impression on buyers:
- Replace outdated light fixtures
- Door knobs and handles throughout the home
- Programmable thermostats
- USB outlets in strategic places
Bonus: include these conveniences that most modern buyers expect. Buyers love USB outlets and programmable thermostats.
Avoid These Expensive Additions Before Selling
Now that we’ve covered the big wins. Let’s talk about renovations to avoid before selling your home.
- Swimming pools: a whole lot of work and won’t really increase home value
- High-end luxury finishes that push your home above neighborhood value
- Personal luxury spaces like wine cellars and other hobby rooms
The best time to start is in the warmer months, if possible. Exterior projects can usually be done first. Plan to have all renovations complete at least two weeks before listing. If you need to sell your house fast, focus on the high-impact projects first: front door, paint, and curb appeal.
Recap
Before you leave today’s video.
I want you to take a few minutes and think about these home renovations in the context of your own situation.
Selling your house faster and for more money comes down to one thing.
Understanding what buyers want vs what sellers think buyers want.
Focus on the renovations that give you the best ROI in terms of making your home stand above the rest. Think smart renovations that move through the home selling process the fastest.
Here’s the 411 on the posts today:
- Curb appeal is critical to getting buyers in the door
- Front doors get the best ROI
- Minor kitchen improvements over major remodels
- Bathrooms need to feel spa-like and relaxing
- Paint is your secret weapon for a faster sale
The right home renovations can not only help you sell your house fast. They can also help you make more money on your home sale.
For all things selling house fast, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Leave a comment below if you have any questions or want some recommendations on the best contractors to make your home renovations dreams a reality.