7 Ways to Improve Your New Orleans’ Home Resale Value

911 Elysian Fields Avenue, Listed By Lane Washburn

When you look at your home, you see all the value it provides you with. It shelters and keeps you, your loved ones, and your belongings safe. Potential buyers may not know the value of your home as readily as you do, so you'll need to do something to convince them that your home is worth every penny.

When you plan to sell your home, consider investing a little extra money into it so that others will be able to see its value firsthand.

1. Enhance Curb Appeal

First impressions are crucial. Your curb appeal has to stand out from the other houses in your area if you want people to do double-takes when passing your home. The curb appeal alone can add 7% to your home's value, so it's not a factor that should be overlooked.

Consider planting seasonal florals if you want to add a pop of color to your front lawn. You could also dress it up with cultural elements of New Orleans, like decorative ironwork or even French-inspired elements. Whatever the case, make sure it looks warm and inviting, especially to people who may be moving to NOLA from out of town. You want to turn heads and have people mention that they must stop by your home.

2. Dress Up Your Front Porch

Your front porch needs to be welcoming, especially if it's a wraparound porch that you can foresee your buyers entertaining guests on.

If your patio is large enough to support furniture and decorations, go all out. Fill it with potted plants and signs that welcome people in. Add a quirky doormat so people can see that the home is full of love and laughter. Your front porch will give potential buyers an idea of what to expect when they walk into the house.

3. Add Hurricane Windows

The major downside of living in NOLA is how many hurricanes the average person will encounter. Several significant hurricanes have hit New Orleans over the years, sometimes once a year or more.

If you haven't already, consider swapping your regular windows with hurricane windows. These windows should be able to withstand many of the strong winds without shattering, meaning the new homeowner can have more peace of mind when weathering one of NOLA's many storms.

4. Use a Professional

DIY projects are great, but they mostly find their place in small, aesthetic pieces around the home. When you're working on something more functional, it's better to rely on the skill of a professional than to try it yourself – especially if you didn't know how to fix it before watching a video on it.

You want your house to be in tip-top shape to sell well, and it might not reflect well in the inspection if you made multiple repairs on your own rather than relying on someone with years of skill. While you prepare to sell, don't cut corners. Embrace a professional's years of skill and talent to ensure everything in your home works to the best of its ability.

5. Replace the Flooring

Many homes still have carpets in them, but that trend is on its way out. While carpet can be beneficial in several situations, many people find hardwood flooring a better option. You can layer rugs on wood floors to give any room a different look whenever you want to change the aesthetic, whereas, with carpet, you’re stuck with the color or design you get.

Consider what you want this flooring to accomplish. Certain undertones can evoke different feelings in people. For example, floors with warm tones can make a person feel cozier than a cool-toned floor.

If you want people to see your house for the loving environment you have created, make sure to choose flooring that reflects it. Alternatively, if you love the elegance of your home, you may decide to replace the flooring with a cool-toned darker color. It all depends on the emotions you're trying to convey to a person when they walk in.

6. Touch Up Any Paint

Think about the inside of your home as much as the outside. Curb appeal might draw people to your home, but the inside is what will help them picture themselves actually living in it. If you have any spots of paint that need touching up, ensure they're taken care of before your house is shown to potential buyers. A cohesive look in your home will make it appear more valuable than if the paint is visibly chipping off the walls.

Power washing the front of your home can have the same effect. If you don't have any paint on your house, power washing can at least remove the dirt and grime. It ensures that your home will look perfect for any real estate listing pictures.

You should try to power wash your house regularly, but you should consider doing it more often when it’s up for sale. If people are touring your home, they want to know they'll be entering – and possibly purchasing – a clean home that stands out from the rest.

7. Get a New Garage Door

If your home has a garage, it should be one of the main attractions of your home. When people see your house from the street, their eyes should not shy away from the garage, even if you don't have it completely put together on the inside. Since New Orleans gets a lot of hurricanes, you need to make sure your garage doors are reinforced so they can brace against any strong winds.

Prepare to Sell in New Orleans

Selling your home is always a bittersweet experience. On the one hand, you're ready to head out on new adventures in new locations. On the other hand, you'll miss the place you've called home for years.

You want your house to be cared for after you leave it, so ensuring potential buyers know what they're getting – and that they'll be safe in the home – is your best chance at receiving the value you know your house is worth.

*Written By Rose Morrison of renovated.com