It's a competitive market, and you want your home to stand out when prospective buyers knock on your door. The more dated the features and fixtures, the harder it will be to find someone who wants to schedule a date for closing. Before you add your home to the list of Atlanta homes for sale this year, the following are some updates that are well worth the investment.

• Roof - Your roof is the capstone of your home. A damaged roof raises red flags in the eyes of prospective buyers. If boards are soft, shingles are missing, or structural damage makes the roof unsound, buyers will drive down the road to the next property on their list.
  
  
• Water Heater - A well-maintained water heater has a lifespan of 8-12 years. The closer your water heater is to the end of this spectrum, the more likely it is to raise concerns for buyers.
      
• Heating & Air Conditioning System - Most good-quality furnaces and air conditioning units last anywhere from 15-20 years. The older the unit is, the more likely it is to have problems. Moreover, heating and air conditioning technology has advanced rapidly over the past 20 years. Older units simply don't offer the same energy-saving, eco-friendly features that prospective buyers want to see.
  
  
• Windows - Windows are some of the most visible features of any home. Yet, they are often overlooked when sellers prepare to put their home on the market. Your windows create an outward appearance that indicate how well you take care of the home. New windows help you make the right impression. Moreover, modern windows can help cut heating and cooling costs significantly, which is an added benefit that can entice prospective buyers to make an offer on your home.
  
  
• Landscaping - Green grass, pruned shrubs, trimmed trees, and tidy flowerbeds create a comfortable ambiance that helps buyers "feel at home." It also provides a visual cue as to how well the property is maintained. It's worth investing a few weekends of your time to tidy things up an have it looking picture perfect for the listing.
  
  
• Paint and Trim - Scuffed walls, holes in the wall, damaged molding, and flashy colors can sink a sale. Before listing your home in Atlanta, you will want to break out the paintbrush and spruce up the interior and exterior of your home. A fresh coat of paint from a neutral palette is a beacon buyers will flock to see.
  
  
• Kitchens - Every buyer wants the prettiest and most comfortable kitchen on the block. A stylish backsplash, modern cabinets, new appliances, and a solid countertop go a long way toward encouraging an offer.
  
  
• Flooring - No buyer wants to see dingy carpets, broken tiles, and dented hardwood floors. When it comes to flooring, minor damage should be fixed, and major damage should be replaced.     

Before undertaking any repairs or updates, it is advisable to discuss your options and your sales strategy with your real estate agent. Another option you can always put on the table with some of these updates is to offer closing concessions to prospective buyers. Offering concessions allows buyers to customize the home by choosing the brands, fixtures, etc. they want without you having to front the cost or choose for them.   

Our real estate agents can help you determine the most valuable updates to your home. We invite you to contact us to discuss the trends we see, and the features prospective home buyers in Atlanta are most interested in as they consider which home to purchase.