Quick DIY Tips For Home Sellers To Hone In On

Considering that most of the United States is still trying to adjust to the new normal with COVID-19, it’s not surprising that many of us are tackling home improvement projects with a renewed gusto. 

The proof is in the sales numbers: The CEO of home improvement store Lowe’s, for example, said he’s seen an increase in sales across nearly every store category during the pandemic.

So what are some of the best home improvement projects to tackle while we’re all staying home and practicing social distancing? Here are a few quick DIY tips for this unusual time.

Declutter your home

Decluttering your home is one of the most cost-effective home improvement projects you can undertake, and it’s perfect for quarantine: after all, you don’t need to buy any materials, so you won’t have to leave the house to pick anything up curbside or have anything delivered. And the return on investment for home sellers who declutter is extremely high, around 432 percent. 

Start with a single room or even just a single area of a room—a junk drawer or a cluttered shelf will work. Finish that one area completely before moving on to the next. 

Once you’ve got a sizable collection of things you’re giving away, make sure to call the organization you usually donate to—Goodwill Stores in many places are still taking donations, but protocols may vary from city to city. 

Invest in your curb appeal

Staying at home doesn’t have to mean staying inside, so take advantage of the lovely spring weather to fix up your yard. 

Most home improvement stores are offering curbside pickup or delivery, so you can place an order online or by phone and pick it up without entering the store. 

Mowing and tidying your lawn, pruning hedges or trees, and adding fresh mulch to your flower beds are all good places to start. You may also want to plant some spring flowers or add some hanging plants to your front porch. 

Paint

Nothing makes a room feel fresh like a new coat of paint. 

If you’re looking to sell your home it’s a good idea to paint at least the rooms that get the most traffic and attention: the kitchen, living or family room, powder room, and potentially the master bedroom. 

To appeal to more sellers, stick with neutrals—but remember, neutral doesn’t have to mean eggshell white. Lots of very pale shades, from blues to greens to yellows, qualify as neutral as long as they’re unobtrusive.

Deep clean

Being stuck at home is also a perfect opportunity to tackle some of those deep cleaning projects you’ve been putting off. 

Cleaning baseboards, washing curtains, washing your windows’ exterior sides, cleaning under your bed and other large furniture—these are all great cleaning projects that will greatly increase your home’s appeal when the time does come to sell. Plus, doing these things now will make touch-ups for showings, whether virtual or in-person, a whole lot easier.  

Accomplishing a few home improvement projects while you’re quarantined will not only keep you busy and make you feel better, but it will also help you market your home virtually during coronavirus. 

For more on COVID-19 and the real estate comeback, check out HomeLight’s Top Agent Insights Survey from Q2.