15 Tips for Increasing Your Home’s Value

15 Tips for Increasing Your Home’s Value

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Thinking of selling your house or opting for granny flats or alternate dwellings? Don’t just rush into it. There are plenty of ways to be smart about this big transaction. There’s a lot of things you can do to up your profit depending on your budget.

Here are 15 ways to help you make the best decisions for your house.1

  1. When you’re planning to sell, find an expert.
    Before you even put your house on the market, always start with this. A certified home inspector will spot problem areas you need to deal with before putting your house up for sale, unless you’re fine selling your home for dirt cheap. He or she would be able to give you advice about things that might have been invisible to you. This will give you a better timeline of projects that need to be done such as dealing with rot, or pests, and other needs for improvement.image
  1. Give your home some TLC.
    Learn to love your house-and in this case, it’s better done than said. Keep your home healthy with good maintenance. From making sure floor stains are cleaned ASAP to checking the wooden structures of your home-it’s important not to leave a stone unturned. A clean house is a healthy house. And, it doesn’t matter when you plan on selling, whether be next month or the next decade. A well-maintained and clean home will require less effort to be sold for a great price. Good home maintenance will not only make your life easier while you’re living in it, but it also increases the predictable lifespan of your house, something which your buyers will be able to see. Buyers are always on the lookout for signs of disuse and disrepair. Like you, they would want a clean home that’s going to last.image
  2. Kitchen is the heart of the home
    They say that the stomach is the way to a man’s heart, but perhaps that’s true for everyone-even your buyers. For a lot people investing to buy a new home, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Modern designs even go for kitchens that open up to the living room because of expectations to entertain guests while preparing food. People settling down to a new home usually expect to spend a lot of time in the kitchen making home-cooked meals, so they’re looking for kitchens that can keep up with that routine. A smart kitchen update can be very financially rewarding. However, don’t go overboard. Be careful not to make it too fancy in comparison to the rest of the house-or to the rest of the neighbourhood. You don’t want to get a kitchen that’s too high-tech for the average cook, or dare it stick out like a sore thumb in a more homey, cottage-styled home. Be conscious of your house’s design as a whole and your potential buyers.1
  3. The right windows.
    Consider replacing or converting your windows into energy efficient ones. These are features in your house you can sell to your buyers as an investment that will pay back leaps for them considering how much money will be saved on electricity. Green houses are not only great for the environment but also for the wallet. Research the best windows for your climate and it can potentially save you big bucks.image
  4. Fresh paint.
    This one of the best things you can do for your home. A coat of fresh paint can keep your home looking brand new. However, this idea isn’t only for your ceilings and walls. Redressing the kitchen cabinets, for instance, will save you plenty of money from buying new ones altogether. This low cost but high impact project is worth every buck. Choose a VOC-free paint and boast to your buyers how it’s not only eco-friendly, but also incredibly healthy. Some paints are even formulated to clean the air!1
  5. New energy-saving appliances.
    If you haven’t bought new appliances in a while, you’re missing out. New refrigerator models nowadays cut energy rates significantly and new homeowners are looking for qualities such as that. Hence, if you’re going to replace the water heater, invest on a more recent model that also saves on energy. If you’re changing the lightbulbs, choose eco-friendly ones that give you the same amount of light for way less energy. New homeowners will be willing to pay extra for savings that will pay back down the road. Also, according to a professional source: S.E. Electrical Services, you need to make sure that the electric codes of your house are up to date and any maintenance work has been taken care of to stay in compliance of said codes. Ensuring that your home’s electric system is updated and in perfect working condition can become a plus point for buyers when you decide to sell your home, especially if you have proof of an EICR Test.1
  6. Install a programmable thermostat.
    The programmable thermostat is quite cheap and easy to install for something that will make life way more convenient and your electricity bill lower. This definitely adds to your home value because it’s so simple, but so impressive and useful.image
  7. Look Down, How are Your Floors?
    Worn-down carpets can be hiding all sorts of microscopic monsters messing with the air you breathe. Also, have a friend tell you honestly if your home gives off any peculiar smells. It may be that you’re already “immune” to the smell, so have a friend tell you honestly whether your home gives off any peculiar smell. Consider changing your carpets or having them deep cleaned by a professional. Replace your rugs as well, as these can be dens for bacteria and pollutants. This is also the time to repair wooden planks that might have loosened. 1
  8. More Storage, More Space
    The minimalist style might look good in the magazines, but it’s quite different in real life. Case in point, if the design lacks a storage solution, it’s just a disaster waiting to happen. Your buyers know this and they are looking for a lot of storage space. Multiple storage solutions like shelves and cabinets will assure them that moving in would be practically easier.image
  9. Add a Bathroom.
    A good bedroom-to-bathroom proportion always works well for everyone. If you have the space for it, surely do so. Bigger families, especially, will find the extra bathroom a delight. This is something your competition might not have. Be sure to take the right measurements before pushing through with this plan as this investment requires a lot of capital albeit a promising pay off. image
  10. The Bathroom is a Sanctuary.
    No one wants to buy a house with a bathroom that looks overused. Everything must be in working order to make it look clean and beautiful. Faucets must work just as the tiles and the toilet are clean. As a design tip: If your bathroom has the space for it, a good marble or granite countertop is the way to go.Make the bathroom a slice of heaven. A good, clean and bright bathroom is a highly prized commodity. This is because the bathroom is where most homeowners usually relax in privacy. It’s where parents can run to when their kids are driving them mad. It’s the abode of the sick. It’s also where one can unwind after a long day of work. It’s where most people begin the hustle of their day. Just think about it, would you ever buy a house with an icky bathroom?1
  11. Room Repurpose.
    Adding a new room or remodelling an existing one can cost way more than necessary. When selling, the goal is to profit by maximising value through little effort and funds. What is more advisable is to repurpose or add purpose to an existing space. Trade in the living room couch for a sofa bed, and voila–you have a new guest bedroom. You may also convert the basement or attic into a useful space by adding desk, bed, and closet. Turn those spaces in stasis from eyesore to selling points.1
  12. Fix it up.
    Check off the basics as you look around your home: Fix the leaky faucets, the leaky roof, the squeaky doors, problematic electric wiring, etc. If you have ceiling fans, clean them or they might need new blades. Most important is to fix up mold and rot-anything that can deteriorate your house and drag down its value. Once again, it’s advisable to not go overboard with the repairs to the point of replacing the roof. Remember: Don’t spend too much. Don’t fix anything that isn’t broken. Don’t replace things that can be fixed. Not all investments pay back. Don’t overhaul your whole house, just fix parts of it and that will make you more money.image
  13. Make a Picturesque House.
    Potential buyers never look at just ONE house, so it should be your goal to make a great and lasting first impression. Achieve curve appeal through simple ways: a good manicured lawn, trimmed hedges, lawned grass and a group of potted plants. Don’t go too lavish, however, considering a maintenance-heavy lawn might turn off some people. Don’t go overboard with your landscaping and just stay subtle and classy. As long as all the elements are refined and balanced in your home, you’re good. image
  14. Make your house a canvas.
    When you’re over-decorating to sell, DON’T. What this means is, remove your personal paraphernalia and other things that make the house still look yours. The house needs to be an open book, open to your viewer’s imagination. Sure, you can nudge them to the right direction with the right essentials such as great appliances, a good paint job, key furniture here and there, but refrain from inserting personality into the space. Keep the shelves mostly empty, don’t leave your photographs around. Instead, help them fill in the blanks with symbols of their own by leaving enough white space for them. Inspired and informed? Ready to take on your project? Well, what are you waiting for? Just follow these tips to boost your home’s value! Do you have more tips or experiences about increasing the value on your home? Tell us in the comments!
Catherine Avatar