Update Your Garage with These Easy Steps

Update Your Garage with These Easy Steps

Buyers are more likely to take interest in a house with great curb appeal, which includes the maintenance of an attached and detached garage. To catch a buyer's eye, take some extra time to make garage upgrades before putting your home on the market. This will not only impress buyers but can also add to your home's overall value.

Here are some of the best garage upgrades to make before selling your home:

Replace your garage door and make sure it is functional

Unfortunately, many garage doors are unattractive and do nothing to amplify your home's curb appeal. It is best to replace old garage doors with new ones or give your current door a facelift with a new coat of paint. Choose a paint color that matches your front door, which will make your whole property look modern and well-maintained.

It is always best to ensure your garage door is in working condition and has no issues opening and closing. Manual garage doors are very outdated, so it is a smart idea to install automatic doors to increase your home's value and selling potential.

Insulate the space

If you live in an area that experiences extreme hot and cold, it is a good idea to install insulation in your garage's walls and ceilings. A garage that is not insulated decreases a home's value and may make it hard to sell. If you cannot spend money on a professional installation, doing it yourself is always an option. Here is a how-to guide to garage insulation from the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association that is very helpful when attempting this project.

Install new lighting

If you do not already have motion-sensor lights outside your garage, consider installing them for added home protection and safety. A dark garage may be unappealing for most homebuyers and can also be unsafe, especially at night.

Epoxy the floors

Painting a garage floor with an epoxy finish not only makes it easy to clean but is also aesthetically pleasing. Oil will not stain the floor from your vehicles and can make a garage go from boring to sophisticated in one easy step.

Do not overstuff your garage

A garage's ultimate purpose is to house your vehicle when it is at home. Keep this space as a place to store your car rather than a reinvented space or storage room. Buyers will be looking for a neat garage where they can either envision a new idea for the space or where they can see their car parked safely and soundly. If your garage is used for a purpose that does not include storing your car, buyers may be turned off and lose interest in your home.

Keep the outside neat

The outside of your garage should be well-maintained, including your driveway. Before putting your home on the market, consider investing money into paving your driveway to ensure your property looks its best for future buyers.

Is your garage cluttered? Here are some decluttering tips!

• Purging - toss the trash responsibly, part with what is no longer useful, sell useful items on buy-and-sell sites, and donate to charity.
• Organize - take everything out of your garage and group by category, take a good look at the available space in your garage before you fill it back up, dedicate specific areas for each category of items, determine the best storage solution for each area, and measure how much space your car needs before filling up the garage.
• Host a garage sale - take inventory of everything you want to sell, clean and fix what you can, price all items, and do not try to sell anything you have an emotional attachment to.

If you plan on selling your home in the near future, a garage makeover may help you catch the eye of future homeowners. This will increase the value of your home and help sell it faster and at a great price.