during the day and warm, cozy accent lights at night. Conversely, having ample lighting in the kitchen that’s bright enough to cook by, but not overwhelming, can make any kitchen feel like a chef’s paradise. Staging Is Everything. Staging your home helps buyers see themselves in your home. The National Associ- ation of Realtors (NAR) found that staging increased the overall dollar offer on the properties by 1% to 5%. Here are a few quick tricks to make staging work for you in a small space: • Invest in high-quality furniture to give each space its own identity. • Focus on critical areas of the home (living room, kitchen, bedroom) and stage these properly. • Push furniture back from the wall to give the illusion of extra space. • Remove personal items and clutter. • Use artwork to guide buyers’ eyes through a room.
• Finally, use neutral colors to create a blank canvas for potential new owners.
EXTERIOR UPGRADES The exterior design of a space is just as vital as interior design. Here are some key ways to monitor curb appeal and make your land- scaping work for you, no matter how small the lot. Curb appeal is how potential buy- ers see your home from the outset. It includes things like a garage, access to amenities, and landscaping. You cannot change certain parts of curb appeal (like closeness to amenities) after you buy your property; however, there are some aspects you can change or use to your advantage. Upgrading the siding, doors, and windows on your home and keeping
the gutters well-maintained can upgrade the appearance of your property. In addition, ensure the roof is in good shape and all outside amenities are inviting and ready to use. Making minor fixes on your property can make a huge difference, including pressure-washing side- walks and walkways and maintaining lawn space. These small, routine acts can significantly affect a buyer’s interest levels. Achieving a high financial return on a small property requires max- imizing its resale potential. There
are several ways to do so using design—from updating the interior paint and lighting to creative staging to leveraging curb appeal and updat- ing the landscaping. Using these tips and tricks allows you to turn a small property into a wise investment, despite its size.•
Jamie Cohen is a freelance digital marketer and writer with a passion for real estate investing. He enjoys remodeling his family’s first home as a hobby and spending time at dog parks with his two Boston terriers.
10 | think realty magazine :: may – june 2023
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