Patch Blog: Help Sell Your Home, Update the Bathroom

The top-selling features of any home are usually the kitchen and the bathrooms.

A gourmet kitchen and a stylish bathroom are sure-fire ways to attract buyers and get you the offer you want.

Sellers can expect an average return-on-investment of 172% for kitchen and bathroom improvements, according to a 2011 study by HomeGain.

But what if you want to sell but never got around to that remodel project? How can we update those important rooms without spending a lot of money?

Proper staging is the key.

Lately many of our listings were condos built in the mid-80s. This was when oak bathroom cabinets, wall-to-wall mirrors over the sink and theater-style light strips were in style. When staging these homes I know I need to help sellers transform these bathrooms into something that will appeal to the greatest number of buyers and ensure their home stands out from the competition. Luckily there are some easy fixes you can do to update a bathroom, even if you’re not planning to sell in the near future.

Here is a before and after picture of a vacant condo we recently sold in Pasadena. First, we painted the back wall to tie in with the adjacent room and give the bathroom some warmth. We updated the faucet and the light. We painted the cabinet black and added stylish contemporary pulls on the cabinet. We added a frame on the existing mirror. Finally, we brought in some accessories help to add overall appeal. Total cost including materials and labor? Less than $600. Using the HomeGain and staging statistics, our return on investment means a higher sale price and a faster sale – two things every seller wants.

Check back with this blog for more info on home staging and tips for preparing your house to go on the market. Learn more about home staging at wilburhomestaging.com.