Simple Home Improvement Tips That Can Beautify Your Home And Add Value To It
A recent survey carried out by TheHarrisPoll showed that most American homeowners believe that the value of their homes will keep increasing over the next ten years. Considering that the housing crisis of the late 2000s was not so long ago, we’re a very optimistic bunch.
Aside from the unpredictability of the global markets, some other factors affecting the pricing of your home are out of your control. The popularity of your location is also a significant factor that is out of your hands.
Instead of just hoping the value of your home increases with time, there are things you can do now to maximise it. Most of these activities are renovations that you would personally benefit from even if you’re not selling the home.
Home renovations should be done at least yearly, not just when you’re looking to sell. If your home has a new feel to it, it’ll ensure that whether you’re selling to cash home buyers in San Diego or listing on Zillow, you extract the maximum value on the property.
Here are a couple of improvements you can make to your home to instantly increase the market value:
Remodelling Your Kitchen
The kitchen is often seen as the most crucial room during a home sale. Most buyers can be immediately swayed by what they see in your kitchen. However, remodelling a kitchen can be a tricky job. There’s a small tendency for most people to overdo kitchen remodelling to the point where it no longer counts towards increasing their home value.
Always keep in mind that when you’re making an improvement, it has to be something other people are willing to pay for. Avoid making your kitchen fancier than the rest of your home or other houses in the neighbourhood. Chances are, anyone looking to buy a house in your area won’t be willing to pay for it.
A simple improvement to make is to repaint your kitchen. Now, this costs only a few bucks, and you can even do it yourself. New paint and modern design go a long way to influence people’s perception of your kitchen. You can easily find kitchen design ideas on Pinterest and other sites.
You should also swap older equipment for energy-efficient equipment. Whether you’re selling or now, energy equipment will help you save a lot of money. Many buyers will be thrilled to inherit energy-efficient equipment. You will also pay less in power bills.
Add Another Bathroom
This really works if you have just one bathroom. If you already have more than one, there’s not much value to be added by adding extra bathrooms. The rewards of adding an extra bathroom to a home with just one can be significant when selling the house.
You can find spaces for an extra bathroom by looking at underutilised places like closets, spare rooms and areas under the stairs. If you’re looking to make a half bath, you’ll need at least 18 square feet of space. A full bath, on the other hand, will require 30 square feet; and if you want to include a bathtub with a standing shower, a minimum of 35 square feet is required.
The price for creating an extra bathroom will vary based on the accessories you want to include. If you, however, but the items on sale or at bargain prices, you can save a lot of money too.
Go For Energy Efficient Windows
Regular old pane windows are becoming a thing of the past as buyers are looking to buy houses that maximise the money they spend. That’s where energy-efficient windows come in. These windows can save you up to $500 yearly in energy payments. They can also earn you a 10% green tax credit instantly.
Installing new energy-efficient windows cost between $7500 to $10,000. While that’s a sizeable investment, you stand a chance of recoupling between 60 - 90% of it when selling. When you add on all the other potential benefits, then it makes no sense not to have them.
Improve Your Curb Appeal
Your curb is the first place potential buyers will see when they are coming into your home. It has to make a good impression if you’re going to have them swooning over your property.
An excellent way to assess your property is to take a picture of it from down the street. In that image, you can clearly see the things that might contribute to a lower appeal for your home. You may have to make changes to your landscaping. Other things you can do to improve your curb appeal include having a brightly coloured door or outdoor lanterns for evening visits.
Unfortunately, improving your curb appeal doesn’t end with you. The entire appearance of your neighbourhood plays a part in how potential buyers will assess your curb. You may have to talk to your neighbours and organise monthly cleanup days to maintain the appeal of your home.
Re-invent Underutilised Spaces
Making underutilised places come to life can do a lot for your home value. Most buyers want an efficient property. If you can smartly turnaround inefficient areas, they’ll be willing to pay more.
If your home comes with a basement, remodelling it into a game room or an extra living room can be a price booster. The attic can also be cleaned up and used as an extra room for kids. Your garage, if big enough, also has the potential for a lot of uses. You can add and extra room in the garage and use it for yourself or rent it out.
Keep in mind that some buyers like to have their space, so cramping everywhere may not work out well in the end. Minimalist designs are a smart choice when looking to remodel a room. That way, a potential buyer who wants to use the space for something else will not be too fussed about having to redo it.
Conclusion
Being smart about renovations is essential if you’re looking to sell your home sometime in the future. Not all upgrades are equal, and while some cost a lot of money, they do not do so much to improve the value of your home. With these five renovation ideas though, you should get your money back in home valuation when you do decide to sell.
