Selling your home is typically a task in renovation. Fresh paint and new windows make a home desirable, and electrical improvements can also sell a home.
When you are selling your home, consider the next 10 items to make sure your buyers see quality when they view your home.
10 Electrical Improvements to Sell Your Home
Ceiling fans:
If you have an old, dated ceiling fan, it can really detract from a room. Updating a ceiling fan, on the other hand, can really elevate a room and make it look luxurious. A professional will make sure your fan is the right size for the room and has the right junction box for power and stability.
Outlets:
There are multiple reasons to install new outlets. For one, bathroom and kitchen outlets should be GFCI outlets in order to protect from electric shock. For two, updated outlets and covers are aesthetically pleasing. Another reason to update outlets is because of all the options available including USB outlets and lighted outlet covers.
Switches:
Like outlets, updated wall switches are pleasing to look at. However, there are many more reasons to update switches. For one, dimmer switches can create lovely ambience, and switches can also be lighted for locating conveniently.
Light Fixtures:
There is rarely a reason to have any lighting other than LED lighting in a home, so why not put in the fixtures? They aren’t expensive anymore, and you can install as many as you want without overloading circuitry. Changing bulbs to LED is a good way to make sure the lights are energy efficient, but fixtures ensure that a home remains energy efficient.
Electrical Panel:
If you have an old electrical panel, circuit breakers may not trip when overloaded, and it may be a fire hazard. A fuse box may not be unsafe, but it won’t be able to handle today’s electricity demands. If you live in a decent-sized home, go for the gusto with a 200 amp panel. Potential home buyers will be pleased to see that they won’t be needing to update this part of the home.
Wiring:
There are multiple types of old wiring. Knob-and-tube (K&T) wiring used to be the standard, and they typically had porcelain insulators along the length of the wiring. Most K&T wiring is not up to code and needs to be replaced.
Aluminum wiring also should be replaced. It was substituted for copper during the 1960s and 1970s, and it does not have the equivalent strength. Therefore, it can become damaged and be a fire hazard.
If your wiring isn’t up to code, you may not be able to find a buyer with financing due to inspection issues. Either way, it needs to be changed. Making sure there are no wiring hazards or shortcuts can simply speed up the home selling process.
Exterior Lighting:
When you are selling a home, people will drive by at night. Especially during winter months, they may only view it in darkness. Exterior lighting then becomes essential to home beauty. Well-placed fixtures will light up your home in all the right spots to enhance the look of the house you’re selling.
Security is also a very important aspect of exterior lighting, which will deter some criminals and make it harder for others to hide. Motion-sensors can alert homeowners and neighbors when there is an intruder, which is especially helpful when a home is vacant.
Generators:
Portable generators are likely leaving with the previous occupant of the home, but non-portable generators are a selling point for a home. When the power goes out, the last thing you want to have to think about is how your food is going to stay cold or how you are going to stay warm. Quality generators vary, but they can be hooked up to standard gas lines for continuous use. This is simply an extra insurance policy for potential home buyers.
Smart Technology:
Smart homes are a buzz word in electronic stores around the nation, and they are quickly becoming a standard practice in average homes. Smart home systems typically have a hub that controls multiple devices such as security lights, thermostats, and televisions. Smart lighting and smart heating solutions can show that a home is truly energy-efficient, and other smart programming options can provide the maximum conveniences.
Garage Door Opener:
If you have a garage door without an opener, then that must be remedied. Not having an opener is like having abnormal wear and tear on the home. It shows a lack of attention and a lack of maintenance. It’s not much money to spend, and it probably won’t increase the value of your home. However, it will increase the salability of your home.
Of course, each of these electrical improvements are unique to the type of home you are selling and the type of person you are trying to sell to. For example, a generator may be a wise choice in an area that is frequently hit by hurricanes that are followed by power outages. The real message here is to make the electrical components in your home shine. In some circumstances, it will alleviate the stress of the potential homebuyers, but in other cases, it will entice a finicky buyer with bells and whistles that perfect for a new home purchase.