More Lauderdale Lakes home sellers than ever are renovating before listing. And with good reason. While your condo or single-family home doesn’t need a complete renovation before putting it on the market, prospective buyers respond to spaces that appear functional and well-maintained.
For older homes in Lauderdale Lakes, cosmetic updates that show care and maintenance, not just renovation for renovation’s sake, can help your home stand out in a crowd and help it sell faster and for more.
Start Where Buyers Start
- Repairs and updates to your foyer and entryway. The first thing buyers notice is your front door, the path to get there and what happens when they walk in. If your front door is faded and your porch is cluttered with holiday decorations, buyers will see a home that may have been lovingly maintained, but is showing its age. Consider painting your door a complementary but not flashy color, cleaning the door handle, repairing broken screens and investing in brighter foyer lights.
- Improvements to the first room buyers see upon entering your home. If your living room is visible upon entering, rearrange furniture for better flow. If not, consider repairs and updates to the first room buyers see, like replacing dated lighting. Remember, Light changes the perceived condition of a home.
- Updates to dated features like popcorn ceilings. Many Lauderdale Lakes homes were built during the heydey of textured ceilings. If you have them, research ways to remove them, some can be painted or skimmed, but many will need a professional to remove them properly.
- Updates to windows, lighting, blinds, etc. Lauderdale Lakes’ gorgeous sunshine is one of the area’s greatest assets, show it off by updating dated light fixtures, replacing burnt-out lightbulbs and updating blinds. Buy a pack of bulbs so each fixture in your home has the same type of bulbs. Clean windows and repair broken screens.
- Updates to make your kitchen and bathrooms feel cared-for. You likely won’t need to gut these spaces unless they’re in disrepair. Instead, consider updates that make these spaces more functional, comfortable and appealing. If you’re considering remodeling in Lauderdale Lakes, focus on improvements that enhance both functionality and buyer appeal. In kitchens, consider replacing dated hardware like cabinet pulls, tightening loose cabinet doors, updating grout or caulking, replacing stained or damaged tiles, decluttering counters and updating dated vent covers. Bathrooms should be updated to withstand Lauderdale Lakes’ daily humidity. Consider replacing dated, worn-out tile or other flooring with something more water-resistant, replacing cracked or mildewed caulking, repairing leaky faucets, and checking that exhaust fans are working and shower surrounds are in good condition.
Check the Places Moisture Likes to Hide
- Look for signs of moisture and water damage in screened-in patios, laundry rooms, bathrooms, utility rooms, etc. Check ceilings and walls for water stains, check baseboards for softness and sponginess and sniff the air for musty scents. Check around exterior doors and windows for peeling paint that could be a sign of moisture.
- Update and refresh screened-in patios. With cleaned patio floors, repaired tears in screens, and old furniture removed, these outdoor oases will make buyers swoon. Check for sagging or unevenness in the structure itself, it’s important to know if there’s evidence of settling before listing. Check frames and windows for rust or deterioration.
Confirm the Rules Before Ordering Materials
- For Lauderdale Lakes condo sellers: Before purchasing materials for flooring, tile, countertops, windows, lighting, paint, etc., call the association to find out if they have any rules. Some buildings are very particular about materials, some flooring seen in showrooms does not comply with soundproofing regulations, for instance. Associations also have rules about contractors, some require proof of licensing and insurance. Find out about elevator reservations, construction hours, noise ordinances, debris removal, architectural changes, etc.
- For Lauderdale Lakes home sellers: Check which permits are needed for renovations. Many changes, especially to windows, electrical, plumbing, exteriors, structure, etc. require permits.
Functionality trumps form. It’s ok if your vanity is a little tired, but a weary water heater, loose outlets, poor drainage or an A/C unit on its last legs will all be noticed during showings. It’s best to service major systems before listing.
Having recently-updated receipts, warranties, permits, service plans (that can be transferred to the buyer) and other documentation in an easy-to-find binder can ease concerns for buyers and their home inspectors.
Get estimates in writing for repairs that are too big to tackle before listing. Don’t guess at repair costs, have someone come out and give an idea of what they would be.
Recent upgrades can be an attraction, but can also lead buyers to wonder what else has been updated behind the walls. Having a binder with recent home improvement documentation (check here: https://homeworlddesign.com/how-to-document-progress-for-your-home-renovation-project/) can ease their minds. Consider having an inspection done before you sell to make sure your remodeling dollars are well-spent.
Finish With the Details Buyers Remember
- Repairs and updates to hallways and traffic patterns. Check that there’s adequate space to maneuver, at least 30″ for bathrooms and hallways, once doors are fully open, especially around vanities and other bathroom fixtures. Update lighting if necessary.
- Repairs and updates to the home’s exterior. Buyers love a home whose owners were clearly on top of yard work. Give shrubs a trim-back, pressure-wash walkways, driveways, etc. clean-out gutters and update house numbers if they’re not easy to see from the street. Check that outdoor light fixtures work.
Before the First Showing
- Touch-up paint
- Caulk any spots you may have missed
- Give all windows, mirrors, faucets, fixtures, appliances, etc. a good cleaning
- Replace any burnt-out lightbulbs you may have missed
- Empty garbage cans
- Defog bathrooms with fans on, windows cracked, etc.
