DOES UPGRADED LIGHTING ADD VALUE TO A HOME FOR SALE?
It’s no surprise that lighting plays a key role in setting the tone for a room. After all, sunshine streaming through a window is energizing, a bright lamp is helpful when reading, and a candle is perfect for adding an ambient glow.
During winter – where daylight dwindles and snowy weather can be grim – some home sellers are likely considering how to brighten their space, which may involve enhancing or upgrading the light sources inside and outside the house.
Getting ready to sell your home? Learn how to help prospective buyers view the place in the best possible light – literally.
Is it worth upgrading lighting?
Refreshed light fixtures and bulbs can make a big impact on the impressions of buyers. A home tour is off to a good start when the prospective buyers admire the brightness of a space right away. Lighting can also help a home seem more updated. For example, if the buyers walk into the bathroom and see dated vanity lights, they may question how well other areas of the home are maintained. Many homeowners may have never considered the coloring of their light bulbs. The shades are typically listed on the packaging, described in ways like “natural daylight” or “warm white.”
Be strategic in merging function and design
In addition to the brightness of a bulb, the style of a light fixture can also play an important role in staging a home for sale.
Examples of fixtures that may benefit from an update include pendants over a kitchen island, additional recess lighting, a contemporary lit ceiling fan (with a remote or wall-mounted control), floor and table lamps throughout, and more. For a dining area, taller ceilings may call for a pendant light (think metal or rattan), whereas lower ceilings may work better with a flush lighting fixture to optimize space.
Exterior lighting also contributes to a home’s aesthetic. Swapping sconce fixtures on the front of a home – often on either side of the front door and/or garage doors – for a sophisticated, modern look can elevate curb appeal during the daytime and at night.
Meet the needs of the modern buyer
When preparing a home to hit the market, sellers may want to consider how buyers could use each space – and stage accordingly.
For example, the COVID-19 pandemic jumpstarted remote work for many, promoting the urgent need for home offices. Though some people have returned back to the office, many employees still work remote or have adopted a hybrid work schedule. This specific use is still a priority for plenty of homebuyers – and therefore, if your home has a workspace, it’s imperative to think about the impact of lighting.
Knowing this, sellers with a home office (or a guest room that serves multiple purposes) may want to optimize natural light though small adjustments like switching to brighter bulbs overhead or staging with a statement lamp. The result is a better illustration of how the ambiance might aid productivity.
Other things to consider
It’s important to know the protocol for installed items, like a chandelier or special pendant light. If you have a light fixture in your home that you plan on taking with you when it’s time to move, it’s crucial to disclose it from the start. Talk with your trusted real estate agent about ensuring this in writing.