The reasons behind boosting house value can be different, from renovating the property to create better living conditions to improving it so it can be sold for a higher price. Housing prices are on the rise, so now is the best time to capitalize on your home’s value by investing in it. However, you should also know which improvements will pay off the most, having the largest return on investment. Here are the 10 best ways to boost your house value.
1. Start with the front door
The front door is the gate for entering your home, and one of the things that give the first impression to your visitors. Add a new coat of paint to your front door, as well as an overhang, such as a portico or awning, and fix your doorbell (if it’s broken). You can also add a deck because it can really be an eye-catcher. If your yard is small, consider encompassing your house with a deck to enhance and dress up the area.
2. Bathroom upgrades
The kitchen and the bathroom are two rooms that, when improved, will surely add value to your home. However, these improvements can turn a bit more expensive. If you want to spend as little as possible, then these updates may not be economical, especially the bathroom ones. However, there are various low-cost bathroom updates that can add value to it: remove rust stains, replace faucets, update cabinet pulls and doorknobs, install a low-flush toilet, clean the grout, and replace frosted glass for clear glass.
3. Make more room
Create more space by removing the kitchen island or knocking out a non-structural wall. By opening up the space, you’ll create a better flow between rooms and transform the feel of the house with just a few hundred dollars. People are into bigger spaces nowadays, and want their living room right next to the kitchen and a wide open floor plan.
4. Let natural light in
Having enough natural light in your home can benefit you in many different ways (it’s good for your physical and mental health). Natural light can also create an illusion of a larger space, especially if you add a few mirrors here and there. Consider using sun tubes (also known as tubular skylights, sunscoops, and light pipes) – they funnel natural light through its reflective material from a hole cut in a rooftop, through a ceiling fixture and into the house.
5. Update your floor
Don’t hesitate to spend some money on floors. You can save up to $2,000 in return in value by investing $600-$900. If you want to spend less, then just remove the wall-to-wall carpeting, patch damaged floor boards, repair broken tiles, and eliminate squeaks with a few nails. If the floor really needs to be replaced (for example, vinyl flooring in the kitchen), then you should definitely do it with a long-lasting solution, such as hardwood floors.
6. Go neutral with the walls
Choose neutral colors if you need to do more than a simple touch up. Walls with chipped paint should be maintained. Also, remove your personal design from your home, make it more neutral and allow potential buyers to visualize their own ideas.
7. Landscape
Get those unkempt bushes and tangled trees in order, so they don’t block the view of the house, darken your interior, and promote mold. Landscaping is, next to kitchen and bathroom renovations, an investment that brings the biggest return and makes a significant difference in the price. Employ a reliable junk removal service to clean up any junk that’s lying around in your yard and make your exterior more attractive and appealing.
8. Home maintenance and care
Repairing plumbing leaks and leaky windows, inspecting the furnace, replacing rusty rain gutters, insulating the attic, weeding the flower beds, and installing storm doors are the basics that should be addressed first. These repairs go a long way and could increase the house value by a few thousand dollars. You don’t really have to spend a fortune to get your home into great condition and see a big difference.
9. Go green
Replace old air conditioning systems with new and more efficient ones and install a solar-powered water heater. It could save you a lot of money on electric and water-heating bills. Your house will be more desirable with these energy savers, so be sure to do all the green updates you can.
10. Call an inspector
If you don’t know where to start – call an inspector, interior designer or a realtor. Check with them how you could improve your house and exchange ideas. They are professionals when it comes to property renovation, and they look at things with different, more experienced eyes.
When renovating, see what things can potentially bring up questions from potential buyers. If you’re renovating it for yourself, try to view it with a pair of “buyer’s eyes”. Fix and repair, make many small improvements as they can really boost the value of your home. Arm yourself with patience and organize your approach.