Since December 2021, the Edmonton real estate market has maintained a steady average sale price of between $400,000 to $415,000. A far cry from the boom we experienced in the late fall and winter of last year!

Yet, while prices have equalized, homeowners can still sell homes competitively this upcoming fall (or even winter)! 

In this piece, we’ll dive into how to optimize the home renovation process when preparing to sell your home. We’ll also cover average price points for most of these upgrades, so you have a rough starting point for each task!

The Importance Of Home Upgrades

While you don’t want to fix what’s already working, it’s still important to consider strategic home renovations before selling your home. 

Whether simple or complex, home upgrades and repairs can increase the house’s overall value and curb appeal. Renovations leave potential buyers ogling over every detail rather than scratching your home off the list because it’s not move-in ready. 

Renovations made with a sale in mind (such as neutral wall colours or upgraded appliances) also helps the prospective buyer visualize themselves living in the home. 

Here are five simple renovations to consider before selling your home to make the listing process as easy as possible:

Any Necessary Repairs

An essential aspect of selling a home is passing the home inspection. Get ahead of the selling game by making any crucial repairs beforehand. Necessary repairs include:

• Leaky sinks and faucets

• HVAC upgrades or repairs

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Electrical or water heater issues

• Roof issues

• Clogged eavestroughs

Be sure to have these repairs addressed in a timely manner; it’ll make the process of selling your home that much easier, and these necessary repairs will more than likely pay for themselves when the selling process is complete!

Fresh Coat of Paint

One of the easiest ways to brighten up the space when selling your home is a fresh coat of paint! 

On average, you can expect to pay $2 to $3 per square foot (plus taxes) for a basic, professional paint job. This means that painting a 1,000 sq. ft. home will cost roughly $2,000 to $3,000. For a 2,000 sq. ft. home, it would cost $4,000 to $6,000.

When painting, decide what prep work you’ll need to do beforehand, such as drywall repair, sanding, filling, or wallpaper removal. 

Remember, neutral tones are best when repainting before selling your home. Bear in mind that the colour and quality of the previous coat of paint can also affect how many layers of paint are needed to cover it, so plan accordingly. Be sure to cover high-touch areas like trim and doorways, too!

Refreshed Landscaping

First impressions are essential in Edmonton real estate! As a seller, you want to bring the house up to snuff with the other homes on the street. When a home looks finished, elegant, and inviting, it’s easier for the buyer to picture their life in the house.

Here are some basic landscaping costs you can expect to make when selling your home:

• Tree and hedge trimming: $250 to $300 per tree

• Professional lawn mowing: $25 to $50 per visit

• Decking: $15 per sq. ft.

• Lawn seeding: $0.05 per sq. ft.

• Tree removal: $200-$1000 per tree

• Sod installation: $0.30 to $0.75 per sq. ft.

For those on a budget, it helps to plan. Plants often go on sale at the end of the summer through early fall. You can plant them and allow them to establish roots before listing the house in the spring.  

Easy Washroom Upgrades

A sparkling, fresh bathroom will welcome potential buyers, and while it’s easy to get carried away renovating the washroom - even a minor upgrade can be a huge help when selling your home.

For quick makeovers, a new lighting fixture, a fresh coat of paint, a new sink or vanity, mirror, tiling, and professional cleaning can make a huge difference without breaking the bank.

However, significantly outdated bathtubs, showers, countertops, larger vanities, and toilets can cost you a little more. A washroom renovation can range pretty widely, usually anywhere from $1000 for small repairs up to $13,000 for larger renovations. 

Quick Kitchen Facelift

Once again, you don’t want to do a complete and expensive kitchen renovation. However, since kitchens are a major selling point, they need to speak for themselves. 

Updated cabinetry, while on the pricey end of things (usually an average of $10,000+), is the best way to give a kitchen a revamp. Another option for those on a budget is to repaint or resurface existing cabinets.

New flooring can also significantly affect the kitchen’s appeal, costing an average of $2500.

Contact Jeneen Today!

Are you still a little unsure about what renovations are best for you? Are you looking to sell your home? Get in touch with me today! 

I’m Jeneen, and as one of Edmonton’s top REALTORS®, I’m here to make the sale process as smooth as possible! 

Contact me by phone at (780) 904-4240 or via email at jeneens@remax.net.