When it comes to boosting your Highlands home’s value, the question arises about which of the possible improvements that you might undertake would wind up paying for themselves. At first blush, you might think this should be a cut-and-dried analysis­—that is, any improvements that don’t at least add their own cost to the asking price should be disqualified.

But that would be to discount the fact that a property’s improved condition can speed its sale. When a few improvements might change the overall impression from ‘fixer-upper’ to ‘move-in-ready,’ true value is added. Too many days on market can wind up being costly to the seller, not only because of the inconvenience factor, but because interested buyers may assume a deeply discounted offer will have a better chance of being accepted.

In any case, especially when the budget for improvements is especially tight, there are some cheap fixes that can be counted as especially likely to recoup their cost. Here are three that Highlands sellers can consider:

Let There Be Light

Nothing torpedoes a Highlands home’s marketability like the impression that it’s a creaky old relic. We’re not talking about homes that merit ‘antique’ status, which is a plus, but those with rooms that seem gloomy: the opposite of those with bright, airy spaces that convey a cheerful feeling. Because rebuilding a room to actually expand its physical dimensions is expensive, one solution is to create an improved atmosphere with light: adding or replacing light fixtures.

To maximize your bang for the buck, consider adding a showpiece fixture or two—perhaps a chandelier or pair of wall sconces—in key locations. The kitchen, dining room, and entryway/foyer are all great choices for a hanging light fixtures. Buyers often tend to focus on those areas, and respond well when they are transformed into warm and inviting spaces.

Seed Your Way to Curb Appeal

It’s a truism that curb appeal is vital, but when time and budget make it impractical to deal with a full front yard do-over, one of the least costly improvements that immediately boosts eye-appeal is to put the lawn in top condition with a quick reseed. Brown patches and bare spots are a sure way to kill a lawn’s visual appeal, and even otherwise-healthy areas can get a boost from thicker growth. A variety of easy-to-use products are available that allow you to simply sprinkle an all-in-one mixture of fertilizer and seeds that will take root and grow quickly. Take a pass over the lawn now, and with consistent watering, by summer the entire yard can look terrific!

Update Vintage Plumbing

While appearance matters, buyers are still going to be very interested in the “guts” of the home. If you’re dealing with an older Highlands house, it’s likely that the plumbing has seen better days. Fortunately, replacing or upgrading pipes doesn’t have to be as expensive and disruptive a project as used to be the case. Modern technology allows new plastic piping to be snaked between the walls through a few small holes. Amazingly, today’s plumbers can sometimes even avoid installing new pipes by lining existing pipes with self-expanding vinyl bladders that seal leaks and protect water quality.

I’m always happy to provide a no-obligation consultation to discuss which budget-wise improvements have a track record of adding appeal to Highlands home buyers. Why not give me a call?