If you’re planning on moving and know your home could use some renovations to prep it for resale and greatly increase your chances of getting top dollar for it, now might be a very good time to start thinking more seriously about your plans. That’s because October is National Kitchen and Bath Month, when lots of remodeling businesses offer special offers and lots of retailers have big sales on kitchen and bath supplies.

Why October? Well, it conveniently falls right between the hot, humid days of summer, when you don’t really want all your doors and windows open while workers come and go, and the frigid, icy days of winter, when you want everything in your home to be buttoned up and unexposed to the elements. More importantly, however, October is perfect ramp-up time to the holidays—especially to all the high traffic your kitchen and bathrooms are subject to with holiday entertaining and holiday guests.

Maybe you’re thinking about some minor updates and upgrades, or maybe you’re in the market for a complete remodel of one or more rooms before you put your home on the market. Either way, here are some things to consider:

• Go “window shopping.” Today’s home buyers are savvy and sophisticated, having grown up amid the DIY industry spurred on by such home improvement giants as The Home Depot and Lowe’s and having been groomed by countless episodes of Fixer Upper and Flip or Flop on HGTV. They want granite countertops, they expect double sinks, and they’re drawn to clean lines and open spaces. So go to open houses in your area to start getting a look at and a feel for today’s modern, marketable interiors. Talk to your friends about their own remodels—their list of do’s and don’ts, their recommended vendors. Stroll the aisles of decorating stores to learn more about available features and finishes, costs and space considerations.
• Appeal to the masses. Remember, you’re redoing your home for resale, not for yourself, so you’ll want to take into account colors, textures, materials, and products that will attract the greatest number of potential buyers. Trendy can work, but timeless is your best bet. Vibrant can be eye-catching, but you can’t go wrong with neutrals. Easy to clean and easy to maintain, long-lasting and highly functional, cost-effective and energy-efficient … these are the elements that will appeal to anyone’s taste and will make house hunters feel comfortable and assured in their next home.
• Research resale value. This step is crucial, because only by knowing the “comps” in your neighborhood can you make informed decisions about how much to renovate, how much to spend, how much you can ask for your house. Bottom line: you need to have a solid idea of how much value your reno will add to your current home before you decide how much valuable time and resources to invest in it. A real estate agent can help you research comparable home prices; you can also do a lot of this research yourself online, on sites like Zillow, which not only specify list and sold prices, but which show lots and lots of pictures of the homes for sale in your market, so you can compare yours to theirs.
• Make a budget. Planning for your expenses before you begin the renovation will save you a lot of headaches afterward. And make no mistake—renovations can be very costly. So while you’re shopping and researching, map out an expense sheet that prioritizes necessities over wish-list indulgences, and choose wisely when it comes to options for things like appliances, cabinetry, lighting, tiles, backsplashes, faucets, mirrors, and everything in between. It doesn’t have to be high-end to be high style or top-of-the-line to get your house in top form!

When you’re ready for your move, BB&D will be there for all your relocation and storage needs.

BB&D Moving Services
301-573-5447 (MD)  |  571-375-2826 (VA)  |  786-409-4799 (FL)  |  https://bbdmoving.com/