When your friends are having renovations done left and right, it’s easy to think it’s about time you caught up. In reality, however, some renovations are real home investments, while others don’t add much to the home’s value when it’s time to sell. Attracting buyers doesn’t mean changing everything about your home. After all, it’s important to learn not only what adds value to real estate, but also how to save some money.
It’s time to stop telling yourself that home improvements come with a hefty price tag. In fact, there are ways to increase resale value. Best of all, a lot of these are effective but cheap fixes. Here are 12 affordable tips on how to add value to your home like a pro!
#1—UPGRADE YOUR BATHROOM
The bathroom is one of the things buyers usually look into right away. If a large upgrade is not within your budget, you can implement other small but valuable changes. Opt for a new wallpaper or change the light fixtures. If you can afford it, you can also make your bathroom twice as useful by installing a double vanity or sink. This will attract couples who want to maximize their time together in the morning before jetting off to work.
#2—GIVE YOUR KITCHEN A FIX
Kitchens are also crucial for home buyers. Make sure your kitchen is ready to use. Check that all the faucets and cupboard handles are working. Better yet, you can replace them with new ones and change the look of your cupboards completely by repainting them. You also get extra points if you follow a color scheme in your kitchen. And make sure all your appliances work.
#3—CLEAN IT ALL UP
Your home needs to be spic and span for it to have real value. That means absolutely no clutter. Organize everything and place each item where it should be to give your home a sense of order. If you are uncertain about what arrangement is best, you can hire a professional organizer. Remember, an organized home also looks more spacious and comfortable to live in. Get the whole family together to help for this cheap and easy home DIY project!
#4—GO FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT INSULATION SYSTEMS
Look for any cracks in your home, and work on sealing them as soon as possible. This is an extreme hassle for potential buyers, especially during the rainy season. If you have a storage area, it’s also best that you put in an insulation system. Pay attention especially to areas around doors, windows, and where any wires go in and out. Never underestimate how small details can boost the value of your home.
For your light bulbs, consider using compact fluorescent light bulbs, also known as CFLs. They are much safer than regular fluorescent light bulbs. Plus, they use up to 33% less electricity. Since they last longer, they use up less electricity and decrease the number of times you need to replace them.
Having an efficient energy system boosts home value because a home without proper insulation costs more to maintain. That is definitely not attractive to buyers.
#5—WORK ON LIGHTING
Changing your lighting can make your home much more attractive. Veer away from ordinary fixtures. Try a dramatic lamp in a reading nook or an artsy chandelier in the dining area. With the right lighting in the right spot, your home achieves a charming, welcoming look.
Choosing new lights is a simple home DIY project. If you’re not sure what lighting fixtures would be best, ask professionals for advice. Visit a home improvement shop and consult with an electrician as well.
#6—GIVE ONE ROOM A MAKEOVER
A room makeover doesn’t mean you must burn a hole in your pocket. For instance, you can simply convert a space you already have. Think about converting your attic into a playroom for children. Or use the garage as an extension by converting it to a walk-in closet. Simple changes like these are important as they add versatility and home value.
#7—FORGET ABOUT THE SWIMMING POOL
You might think a swimming pool will boost the value of your home. Still, the yearly maintenance alone is rather costly, and long-term, expensive maintenance isn’t something buyers look for. In particular, families with young children consider the pool as a danger zone. Even if you do find buyers who are interested in your home, they might not be too excited about the pool. This means asking you to either fill in or completely dismantle your pool before they finalize their offer. All in all, it’s too much of a financial strain for both you and the buyer.
#8 —PAINT WISELY
Repainting your walls is one of the cheap fixes that doubles as a fun home DIY project.
A new layer of paint automatically makes your home look fresher. If you’re not feeling too adventurous, try neutral colors. You can also assign themes to particular areas—for example, blue for a bedroom or yellow for your kitchen. Use low-VOC paints, or paints with low volatile organic compounds, which are carcinogenic and may lead to kidney and/or liver damage.
#9—SAY NO TO LARGE-SCALE LANDSCAPING
A little landscaping may do the trick, but forget about an over-the-top project. Anything that requires professional maintenance adds hassle, not home value. More importantly, even if buyers become interested, that will not automatically translate to a higher selling price.
If you do want to do a little landscaping for home improvement, go ahead. However, keep it to small shrubbery, and choose plants that don’t require a lot of water and are native to the tropics. This ensures your home still has a lovely garden but won’t require too much maintenance. For starters, try some desert roses or perennials.
#10—AVOID WALL-TO-WALL CARPETING
You can never be sure installing wall-to-wall carpeting will increase home value. After all, not all buyers will have the same design preference as you. Not to mention, thoroughly carpeting again requires extra maintenance, and any new kind might be difficult to install.
From a health perspective, buyers aren’t too enthusiastic about allergens. In fact, carpets have been found to have 100% more allergens than hard floors. If you already have wall-to-wall carpeting, it may be best to replace it with wooden floors.
#11—MAKE SPACE
Space greatly determines how easy or difficult it may be to sell your property. Examine your home closely and determine what needs to go. You may want to extend the kitchen or get rid of the island, or even add a walk-in closet to the master bedroom. Buyers are attracted to property that has excellent flow and wide spaces so this is an important home improvement.
#12—CHECK ON THE QUALITY OF WATER AND ELECTRICITY SERVICES
Your buyers need to know your home is in top condition. Before you invite potential buyers over, do a thorough check of your plumbing and electric wires. For the former, make sure there are no leaks. When it comes to wires, ensure they aren’t tangled up and that they go through from room to room properly. Check that all your outlets work. After all, safety is always a No. 1 concern for buyers, and a well-kept house with functioning services has less potential for accidents and health hazards.
CARING ADDS VALUE
When adding value to your home, remember that all buyers have one goal: to make the best home investment. Work with what you have to learn which fixes work for your property. This will not only add value to your home, but it will also teach you the industry secrets of the pros.
Used with the permission of the NRHA and PlanitDiy.