Top 10 Easy Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home
There are many ways to add value to your home and property — installing a pool, building a garage, and complete renovations are a few that come easily to mind. However, there are many easy ways to increase your property value without spending a lot of money. The list below covers the top 10 ways to improve your home before you sell without breaking the bank.1. Paint.
Adding a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color, both to your exterior and to the walls inside your home, is a great way to increase your home's attractiveness to potential buyers without spending a lot of money. That fresh coat of paint on your trim makes your house look instantly fresher, cleaner and neater.
2. Perk up your kitchen.
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. You may want to consider replace worn or outdated-looking cabinetry and counter tops. If you don't want to invest quite that much money, even replacing your hardware and faucets can give your kitchen a facelift that will make it more appealing to potential buyers.
3. Make your bathrooms shine.
Bathrooms are another important selling point. Spend a little time replacing bathroom faucets, older lighting fixtures, and even toilet seats. Considering refinishing a porcelain tub, as cracks or stains can make your bath appear dirty to potential buyers. Installing fresh tile if yours is old or outdated is also a great way to improve your bathrooms.
4. Consider your light fixtures.
Are your light fixtures boring, stained with age, or simply not that fashionable anymore? Installing new light fixtures is a great, and relatively inexpensive, way to improve your home's appeal. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on "stylish" light fixtures, go for new, simple fixtures with clean lines that will suit a variety of tastes.
5. Add storage space.
Older homes are notorious for lacking closet space. If your home suffers from a lack of storage space, adding inexpensive, do-it-yourself wire and laminate closet organizational systems to your existing closets can help maximize the space you do have.
6. Spruce up appliances.
Matching appliances help lend a cohesive, more attractive appearance to your kitchen. If your appliances are mismatched, you can contact the manufacturer to order new doors or face panels in another color.
7. Have wiring and plumbing inspected.
Making certain that any faulty wiring, leaks, or other problems have been fixed before you put your home on the market can save you some unpleasant surprises. It also tells potential buyers that your home has been well maintained.
8. Look underfoot.
When was the last time you cleaned your carpet? Are your once-beautiful hardwood floors looking a little dull? Paying for professional carpet cleaning or revarnishing your floors can add value and make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
9. Dress up your windows.
Blinds and other window dressings trap a lot of household dust and grime. They also fade over time in the sun. Consider replacing blinds, curtains or shades. If you want to spend a bit more, replacing plastic blinds with nicer wood blinds is an attractive upgrade that tells buyers you have paid attention to the little details and taken care of your home.
10. Don't forget curb appeal.
Your home's exterior is your opportunity to make a good first impression. A well-maintained lawn with a few shrubs or flowers, with walkways, porches and driveway kept clear of debris, is much more inviting to potential home buyers. If you've already moved out before you put your home on the market, don't forget to mow the lawn and sweep walkways, porches, etc. regularly.« Return to Links & Tools