If you are getting ready to put your home on the market, there may be two areas where you are concerned about aesthetics: the garage and the basement. While both of these are selling points, for many Sellers they are not always the most attractive rooms in the home. Below are the Top 10 ways to make your basement and garage show ready:
1. Clean them out.
As with any room in your home, cleanliness is key. Spend a long weekend purging your garage and basement of all of the old holiday ornaments, unused toys, and too-small clothing that have been gathering there over the years. Your #1 goal here is to start with a clean slate.
2. Change the flooring.
Your basement and garage do not necessarily require the same flooring, and having epoxy in the garage and hardwood in the basement will give these areas a clear separation. New flooring can be a great investment. If you are on a tight budget, Smart Reno notes that you can choose to paint concrete floors for a quick and affordable update.
3. Paint.
Speaking of paints, a quick coat on walls can lighten and even brighten spaces with no windows. HGTV recommends many colors, including soft gray, lavender, and ivory.
4. Enhanced lighting.
Basements and garages are both often dark, even when there is a source of natural light. But, a dark room will feel much less homey to buyers looking for their forever home. There are many ways to change the lighting, including using lamps, LED light strips, and recessed lighting, the latter of which should be spaced four feet apart for eight-foot ceilings.
5. Insulation.
Installation will keep a cold garage or basement warmer, making the spaces more useful for activities, such as painting, drawing, or even playing when weather is too cold to go out.
6. Temperature control.
If your basement could be converted to living space, it is a smart idea to have this area heated and cooled before listing and selling your home. If you already have an HVAC unit, talk to your installer about simply running a duct and air vent to these areas. If not, you might consider a ductless connection, which Hunker notes may be individually controlled. This is helpful if the rest of the house typically stays warm, but you need more power in a large, open basement or garage.
7. Storage shelves.
Storage is something many new homebuyers look for specifically. If you don’t have an outbuilding, you will need to make sure to highlight the added storage space in the garage and basement. To do this, simply add storage shelves throughout.
8. A new ceiling.
You probably give very little thought to the ceiling in your garage or basement, but your Buyers will. When you are on a tight budget, upgrade the overhead with drop ceiling tiles. But, if you want to really spruce up the space and stay within budget, add Styrofoam ceiling tiles. Family Handyman notes that these are easily attached to the existing ceiling with adhesive.
9. Internet.
Many people will use the basement as a home office, and others may renovate the garage for the same purpose. If these spaces are underground, your Wi-Fi signal may not work quite as well. Have these areas hardwired for the internet, and if there is room in the listing remarks, request that your REALTOR® notes that the entire house is covered with a signal.
10. Make a secondary suite.
Multi-generational living is more popular than ever. Consider redesigning your basement or completely renovating the garage so that these spaces have a separate entrance and are fully-functional apartments for teens or aging parents. Buyers may also appreciate this as a potential source of income so that they can have a renter in the basement to help pay the mortgage. Be sure to apply for the appropriate permits, and for more information on the steps involved open and review the article at the following link: Legalizing a Secondary Suite by Kelly Grant at MaxWell POLARIS .
If you are looking for more ideas, contact Kelly Grant today. With more than 18 years of experience helping both residential and commercial clients buy and sell throughout the Greater Edmonton Area, he knows what Buyers want and how you can prepare and stage your home or property for a quick sale.
Article Written and ©2021 by Alice Robertson at TidyHome.info; Image via Pexels.
[Edited ©2021 by Kelly Grant, Residential / Commercial REALTOR® at MaxWell POLARIS]
