10 Affordable Ways to Add Value to Your Home

When updating a home to increase its value, think simple. Ask yourself what a prospective buyer might want to see when walking through your front door, and what would put them off. Keep in mind that home improvement doesn’t always mean pricey renovations. Below are 10 affordable tasks that everyone can adopt in order to increase the value of their home.

1. De-clutter your home.

One of the most common reasons a buyer is put off by a home is by its clutter. Buyers want to be able to imagine their world in your home and with obtrusive decor pieces and overstuffed rooms; it could be hard to do so. By de-cluttering your home, you will create more space, and more space tends to give an illusion of a bigger room. Do this task to make your home more attractive in listing photos and showings.

2. Add fresh paint.

A fresh coat of paint on your walls is one of the simplest ways to update your home’s value. If you plan on living in your home for a long time, paint your walls lime green, hot pink, or whatever floats your boat! However if you plan on putting your home on the market, selecting a neutral tone for your walls will help to widen the pool of prospective buyers. We also recommend removing outdated wall paper and adding neutral paint.

Don’t think paint is just for your walls. Have outdated cabinets? Roll a coat of dark stain across your cabinets for a lux, Tuscan look, or paint them white for a clean, modern look.

3. Keep your popcorn at the movie theater.

Once all the rage, popcorn ceilings now make a home look outdated. Fortunately, this can be a weekend DIY project for the house, or easily remedied by a professional paint crew. See how you can scrape the popcorn off yourself and more tips for homeowners on our Pinterest page.

 4. Update fixtures and hardware.

Outdated faucets, cabinet hardware, and lighting may seem like small details that only the pickiest buyers would find fault with. However, these fixtures as a whole can really affect the overall look of the home and the emotions of a buyer when they first step in. Find deals and steals at stores like HomeGoods or Target’s Threshold Collection if purchasing your updates on a budget.

5. New floors.

If your carpet or linoleum tile floor still looks dull and dingy after a good cleaning, it’s highly recommended that you consider updating your floors if resale is in your near future. Hardwood flooring is an option that appeals to most buyers because of its timeless and classic look, however, can be an expensive installment for your home. Additional options may be new tile flooring, concrete staining, laminate flooring, or carpet. Still have questions about choosing the right flooring options? Ask one of our agents for a recommendation based on your budget and their knowledge of what buyers gravitate towards in your neighborhood.

6. Add landscaping.

Colorful plants and a well-groomed yard not only make your home inviting and charming, they help to update the value of your home. According to a poll taken from HGTV readers, the average return at resale for homeowners investing in landscaping was 100%.

 6. Don’t put off home maintenance!

Before you start thinking about fancy upgrades to the kitchen or bathroom, start with the basics. Insulate the attic, repair old gutters, fix plumbing leaks and torn screen doors. The longer you put off repairs, the more expensive they will be down the road!

These few hundred dollars spent on maintenance could amount to a few thousands in return. In the Seller’s market we are currently operating in, homes in great locations and pristine conditions typically enter into multiple-offer situations as people battle for the best.

7. Go green.

Green-friendly home improvements are a great investment because not only do they add value to your home, they save you money in the long run. Research published by The Appraisal Journal estimates that energy savings add twenty times the annual savings to the value of your property. Don’t have it in your budget for big installments such as solar panels or tankless water heaters? Try simple fixes such as adding weather stripping to your doors to keep the draft out or solar shades for your windows.

Want more tips to make your house energy efficient? Visit our Pinterest page!

8. Easy bathroom updates

Sprucing up your bathroom is a sure bet in adding value to your home. It certainly does not make sense to invest in a huge renovation if you’re trying to spend as little as possible prior to putting your home on the market, but some upgrades are cheap and easy. Clean the grout, apply fresh caulk, and replace faucets. Even a new toilet seat could make all the difference!

10. Remove the questions.

Invite a realtor or friend to preview your home and offer up suggestions for home improvement. Their guidance will help you define areas a potential buyer might ask, “What’s that?” This could be anything from taking care of a squeaky floorboard, removing a musty smell, or re-arranging furniture to create an open space.

If you’d like more tips on adding value to your home or would like an agent to preview your property for suggestions, contact Minteer Real Estate Team! We’re always ready to help you with your real estate needs.