The Dos and Don'ts of Presale Home Renovation

Selling a home can be a stressful and time-consuming process for homeowners, especially when their home needs a little love before listing. But as a real estate agent, you know that presale home renovations can make a significant difference in the value of a property and the speed of its sale. However, if not done right a presale renovation can be littered with pitfalls.

Here are some do's and don'ts of presale home renovations that real estate agents should keep in mind when advising their sellers:

Do's of Presale Home Renovations

Focus on first impressions: Spending time and money improving the home's exterior and entryway is critical to making a great first impression on potential buyers. The property's exterior is the first thing potential buyers will see, so focusing on curb appeal is vital. This can include landscaping, painting the front door, adding outdoor lighting, and more.

Keep it simple, clean and neutral: Stick to neutral colors and designs that appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Improve high-traffic areas: Concentrate on the most frequently used areas of the home, such as the kitchen, bathrooms, and living spaces.

Work within your budget: Establish a budget with a built-in cushion for the renovation, but stick to it to avoid overspending.

Set a realistic timeline: Homeowners should plan the renovation with a realistic timeline that accounts for unexpected delays. This will help avoid rushing the renovation and ensure that the end result is high-quality.

Hire a professional presale renovation firm: A professional presale renovation firm, like Revive, has the proven systems, knowledge, skills, contractor network, project management resources, design experience, and an insider view of home feature trends to make the right improvements to enhance the value of a home.

Don'ts of Presale Home Renovations

Over-renovate: While some renovations are necessary to make the property more appealing to potential buyers, it's crucial to avoid over-renovating. Avoid remodeling the home beyond what the market demands, as it can be difficult to recoup the cost of major renovations when selling.
Keep the neighborhood and the surrounding area in mind when planning renovations, as over-improving the home can make it stand out negatively.

Being too hip: Avoid overly trendy designs and finishes that may not appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Skimping on quality: Avoid cutting corners or using subpar materials to save money, as it can turn buyers off and decrease the home's value.

Ignoring minor repairs: Don't overlook small repairs or maintenance issues; they can add up and convey a negative impression to potential buyers.

Choosing the wrong contractor: Selecting the wrong contractor can be disastrous for a presale renovation. Homeowners should research potential contractors, check references, and request proof of insurance and proper licensing. This can be a highly time-consuming process, but it is necessary to be successful. A professional presale renovation firm, like Revive, has the necessary know-how to save your client the hassle, liability, and time.

A company like Revive has proven systems, knowledge, skills, contractor network, project management resources, design experience, and an insider view of home feature trends to make the right improvements that will help your client enhance the value of their home.

As an agent, it's your job to help your clients make informed decisions about the renovation process before listing a property, as your advice can help maximize the value of their property.

Michael Alladawi, CEO and Founder of Revive, is a Southern California real estate veteran with a proven track record as a builder, investor, and respected home flipper. Michael created Revive to share his spectrum of knowledge and help homeowners maximize their profits when selling their homes. Learn more about Michael and Revive at www.revive.realestate.