Real Estate News

When selling your home, most buyers are interested in being able to move right in, changing out the current homeowners decor for their own.  In order to help give your home an edge over the competition, make sure each and every room has a clearly defined purpose, along with an attention to detail that won’t go unnoticed.  Because open floor plans have become a trend found in many homes built in the last five to eight years, it can sometimes be difficult to determine how to create an individualized purpose and flow from space to space.

Start With the Ceiling
Decorative ceiling details are a minimal expense that can dramatically change the look and feel of a space.  Ceiling tiles, planks, or even a faux treatment with paint textures and stencils will add interest and definition, while in some cases actually causing the space to appear larger.  A homeowner can add intimacy to a room by installing a coffered ceiling and using a contrasting paint color will help your great idea really stand out!

Flooring Can Define a Space
It can be quite easy to define certain spaces, like a social area from a dining area with the use of the initial flooring, then adding area rugs.  In many new homes, builders have used hardwood angled in different directions to denote different living spaces.  Inlaid borders and designs in the wood will also help to separate an open floor plan.  Combined with the placement of your furniture, area rugs will help to anchor a space by clearly defining it.

Focus on Lighting
How you add lighting to a room can greatly help, or hurt, the way a home will show to potential buyers.  For example, the third bedroom may be set up to show as a home office, but without the proper lighting, the function is less important.  While creating a flow from space to space, keep these tips in mind: Subdued lighting creates an intimate reading area, while bright lights can highlight a hub of activity at the kitchen island.  Dimmer switches can be a perfect addition to your lighting efforts, as they allow you to guide people to one area and away from another.

Create Spaces Within Spaces
Room dividers, pocket doors, and decorative screens are simple and low-cost ways to create spaces within spaces.  A modern take on a simple room divider are contemporary panels that can be hung anywhere in the home by a simple cable system.  Another way to separate a space from the open feeling of “what would I do with this space” is to add open shelving.  These are great because you are not actually closing off an area, or making it smaller, you are simply adding a defined purpose to a certain area.  Multidimensional wall decor items are also a great way to draw attention to a certain area, while adding a focal point to the room.

Paying attention to even the smallest of details will help give you a leg up on the competition.  Making sure each space in your home has a clear purpose and function will help your home appeal the largest number of potential buyers, as they will be able to picture their own belongings in place of your own, making the transition that much easier for the new homeowners.

When you are selling your home, one of the most important things you can do to set it apart from the competition and help it to sell quicker is to make certain updates, setting the stage for a move-in ready home for potential buyers.  Some of the smallest and least time consuming projects can make the biggest impact on the look of a space, not only appealing to buyers, but giving you a chance to enjoy the updates until you sell!

1. Create an Accent Wall
Do you have a room that could use a new coat of paint but don’t want to paint the entire space?  Choosing just one wall to create a focal point in the room is a great way of updating the look while bringing in a modern feel.  This will be a big change for minimal effort, and can likely be a project you can complete in less than one day.

Some of the popular and trending colors are selections in the dark gray family, shades of green, as well as hues of blue.  Be sure to bring your paint samples home from the store to see what they will truly look like in the natural daylight of the space you’ve chosen to paint.  One tip to choosing the wall you will make your focal point is to use the one where the largest piece of furniture goes, like the couch or the bed.

2. Update Wall Plates and Outlet Covers
Nothing says outdated like the “under a dollar” light switch covers that have probably been in the home since it was built.  A quick and easy way to add some modern to any room is to change those outdated switch covers and outlet covers to decorative wall plates in colors like brushed nickel or bronze, depending on the current decor in the room.

3. Add Hooks and Hook Rails
Other eye catching additions to a room include hooks and hook rails.  These updates bring in a contemporary feel, as well as giving a space an organized look.  Installation is simple and quick, while allowing for instant coordination with the wall plates, all while adding an updated look to the space.

4. Change Window Treatments
Take a close look at the current window treatments in the home you are trying to sell.  Are they the same mini blinds or curtains you put up when you moved in?  Maybe they are even the same ones that were there before you moved in!  Changing the window treatments can be one of the simplest ways to update a room.  Remove heavy room darkening curtains and replace them with light, airy sheers, allowing as much light into the room as possible.  Choosing a bold color can also be a great way to update the look while maintaining the cozy feel of the space.

5. Update Cabinet Hardware
Another one of the least expensive and least time consuming ways to update not only the kitchen but the bathroom as well, is to change the current hardware on the cabinets with modern pieces.  Choosing hardware to match the other metals in the space will dramatically change an outdated look, allowing buyers to notice the attention to detail in the home you are trying to sell, all while helping it to sell quicker.

Each of these quick and easy room updates will show buyers your attention to detail, helping to place your home a step above the competition.