If you are selling a home in Knoxville, you have probably started making a list of repairs you need to handle before putting it on the market. You may also have heard that you need to invest in some upgrades in order to get the best price for your home. This is true, but many sellers end up going a little too far and eliminate any additional profit by spending too much on renovations. While you do need to invest in making the property more appealing to buyers, you don’t need to do a complete renovation.

Here are our tips on what you don’t need to fix when selling a home in Knoxville.

Bathroom Renovations

While some repairs in the bathroom may be necessary when selling a home in Knoxville, you should avoid a top-to-bottom renovation, as this is likely only to add a little additional profit once you account for the cost. Here are some of the upgrades you should avoid:

• Extensive Retiling - Retiling a bathroom completely can take a lot of additional time and money. Unless your tiles are severely cracked and broken, you should settle for deep cleaning and possibly regrouting them instead. You will be surprised at what a difference this can make!
• High-End Upgrades - It is not worth spending money on flashy decor or high-end fixtures in the bathroom. Homebuyers are generally not prepared to spend more based on these features. Keep your styling simple.
• Layout Changes - Unless your bathroom has a truly terrible configuration, changing the layout is rarely worth the expense when you are selling a home in Knoxville. This should be avoided unless necessary.

Kitchen Upgrades

When selling a home in Knoxville, you are likely to hear more than once that “kitchens sell houses.” This is true to an extent, but statistics show that minor kitchen remodels will bring a larger return on investment than a full remodel. This suggests that it is better to focus on a few pressing issues and functional concerns rather than completely replacing the kitchen. Here are a few of the things not to worry about replacing in the kitchen when selling a home in Knoxville.

• Luxury Appliances - Replacing your appliances with high-end versions is unnecessary. Unless the current appliances are in bad shape, you can get away with minor repairs and a professional deep clean. If you do need to replace something, opt for a midrange brand.
• Complete Cabinetry Replacement - It is not necessary to fully refit your kitchen when selling a home in Knoxville. It is much more affordable to repaint or refinish the cabinetry to give it a new lease of life. Updating the hardware is also a great way to add a little pizazz for menial costs.
• Specific Design Choices - When selling a home in Knoxville, it is best to appeal to as broad a spectrum of buyers as possible. That means if you are freshening up the kitchen decor, it is best to stick with a neutral approach rather than implement a more specific high-fashion design that will only appeal to some buyers.

Flooring Concerns

New flooring can appeal to buyers when selling a home in Knoxville, but it is usually not necessary to completely replace the carpets or flooring throughout the house. Cosmetic fixes and touch-ups are generally enough to make a big difference. Professional carpet cleaning can restore your flooring to a saleable level as long as it is not heavily damaged or discolored. If you have hardwood flooring, refinishing it is a much better use of your budget than replacing it, as it is highly sought after by buyers!

Windows & Doors

When it comes to your windows and doors, the only thing you need to concern yourself with when selling a home in Knoxville is that they function as intended and that they are up to code. It is unlikely that you need to replace them. Instead, you can spruce them up with a fresh coat of paint and new caulking.

Prioritize Essential Repairs

Overall, when selling a home in Knoxville, you should prioritize essential repairs over completely overhauling entire rooms. For example, you do not need a complete rewire unless you have faulty wiring, but you should fix broken switches and outlets. Make a list of repairs and upgrades around the property and then highlight those that directly impact safety and functionality. You should give particular priority to anything that is likely to be flagged during your home inspection. If you have some remaining budget, you can then make aesthetic changes to appeal to buyers.

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Wright Realty is a full-service real estate concierge with a wholistic approach to buying and selling property in East Tennessee. We are your trusted advisor and keep open communication throughout your entire buying/selling process. Real Estate done "Wright" means more than just a 'transaction'.

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Visit www.realtydonewright.com or call 865-556-8599