Like most people, your house may be your biggest asset, therefore it only makes sense that special care and attention should be given to ensure it’s taken care of. Besides general things like keeping up with repairs and making smart improvements, there are several things you can do to your home to increase both its curb appeal and market value. Curb appeal will help make your home more attractive to potential buyers and certain updates will increase the value of your home and give you a return on your investment.
Landscaping is one improvement that adds both curb appeal and value to your home at the same time. Fill in any patches in your lawn to ensure it looks full and healthy, and a few well-placed bushes and plants will add a nice touch to your lawn. Planting native foliage that is drought tolerant will ensure easy maintenance, as will going for perennial plants over annuals. Furthermore, strategically placed trees and shrubs can keep your property and house cool in the summer. Mature shade trees will shelter your house from the harsh summer sun and can even cut energy costs.
For a great return on investment, consider updating your kitchen or bathroom/s. Very often, appraisers look for updates in these areas first because they know they will be appealing to potential buyers. If a complete remodel isn’t within your budget, there are some small or simple projects you could do instead. For the kitchen, a backsplash or some new appliances are a good choice, and, if possible, try to make sure that all your appliances match. As for the bathrooms, vanities, toilets, and fixtures are simple but powerful options to give the room a new look without requiring as large of an investment.
Another way to appeal to buyers is to make your home more energy-efficient and adding smart technology where possible. A few ways to entice energy-conscious buyers would be to install double-paned windows, improved attic insulation, LED lighting, and energy-efficient appliances. Installing double-paned windows with LOW-E coating and argon gas add both value to your home and savings to your utility bill. To find out the best way to improve on efficiency for your home, consider having it appraised by a certified energy auditor or your utility company to discover where your home is wasting energy and which updates would save you the most money. And while smart technology will not always increase the value of your home, it does add appeal and help it sell. Some things to add in this category could be thermostats, fire detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, security cameras, door locks, and things like that. Unlike some of the major updates, most of these can be self-installed. They may not increase the value as some other items would, but they could bring more interested buyers and persuade them to buy sooner.
One sure way to increase the value of your home is to increase the square footage. Adding a bedroom or a bathroom will immediately increase the pool of potential buyers, as many buyers would often look for a house with more bedrooms than they need, whereas they will rarely even consider homes that have less. If that isn’t a viable option for you, strategically removing a wall can create more space and make your home more appealing by creating the open concept look many people prefer these days. Another way to add some space is to build a deck, whether it’s in the front or the back of your house. This will add some outdoor space and create a place that appears inviting and attractive.
One final tip for increasing the value of your home is to repair or replace a major component in your home. You could replace the furnace or water heater or even the roof, and you should definitely consider replacing stained carpets or cracked flooring. If you’re replacing windows, consider that vinyl windows don’t transfer heat like aluminum windows do, which will make your home more appealing. Replacing wood siding with steel or vinyl siding will make the exterior look brand new again and the buyers won’t have to worry about painting the house. Rain gutters are also a great option as they will add value to your home. Doing one of these things or something similar may help calm a buyer’s fear of needing to do emergency repairs in the near future and could help get you a higher price for your home.
Depending on the needs of your house and your budget, there are a variety of ways you can help your home to sell faster and for a better price.