In the world of home improvement, the possibilities are near needless. Improvements cost you from 20 to 25 cent on an investment dollar and the rest is infused in the property as an added value. The beauty of it is that every little thing can make a difference and help you increase property value.
However, the main problem is that you have a limited budget and time at your disposal, especially at a time when you’re selling your home.
So, it would be wise to come up with a plan as sound as a dollar. Write everything down and make a categorized list. You need to make improvements and adjustments intentionally and as a result of an informed decision.
Clean and boost the looks
You can choose to improve the interior aesthetics, but if you do it, be careful. First of all, set your personal sense of style and preferences aside. Also, before anything else, clean the home from the ground up. Get rid of anything that prevents buyers from visualizing themselves in your home.
Likewise, avoid excessive decoration, high-maintenance surfaces like carpets, and bright colors that could put people off. Install LED lighting to accentuate and breathe new life into your rooms. When repainting, opt for natural and subdued tones. Bright, sparkly, and clean homes attract buyers like a magnet.
Better curb appeal
The exterior of your home is the first thing that catches buyer’s attention. Hence, to make a great first impression and boost the value of the property, you should improve the curb appeal. Start by taking a look at your home from the street and gain a new perspective.
Furthermore, declutter your yard, clean the walkway, repair the fence, mow the lawn, and trim hedges. Paint your front door and add a new mailbox. Consider going big with a deluxe feature such as stunning Canterbury swimming pool and attract buyers with deeper pockets. All these things impact the price tag and attractiveness of your home.
Bathroom renovation increase property value
Nowadays, bathroom renovation poses one of the most popular home improvement projects. If you have a small budget, spruce up the space with a new coat of paint, details like curtains, and new hardware. Replace an old faucet, shabby overhead lighting, and battered electric plugs. See if you can add a new under-mount sink.
Try to eliminate negative aspects and enhance the positive ones. Don’t fail to ensure that the plumbing system works like a charm and fix any leaks. The investment in this room will pay dividends: Bathroom is a true workhorse of the household and it’s one of the most popular features for modern buyers.
Take energy efficiency to the next level
Energy efficiency is a major selling point in the today’s market, especially for millennial buyers. So, assess the R-value of your insulation and figure out the most cost-efficient way to improve it. Upgrade window treatments and pay close attention to leaks around doors.
If you can afford it, invest in appliances with an Energy Star label. I would definitely consider a new water heater that saves a substantial amount of money in the long run (heating accounts for 16% of energy consumption). You have an opportunity to impress efficiency-minded buyers and bring down the cost of ownership, which, of course, improves the value.
Improve structural soundness
Don’t get caught up trying to polish every bell and whistle in your home. Focus on what matters the most, the structural integrity. This is one of the chief concerns of property buyers and it is a common misconception that only older buildings sport such problems.
Therefore, carry out an inspection and call in a structural engineer if you are not an expert yourself. Beware of termite damage and rot and mould. Deal with any cracks, faults, and glaring flaws you uncover. Structural repairs might be expensive, but they are an absolute must. After all, you have also to adhere to building codes and regulation.
Put the best face forward
Not all improvements are created equal and some work harder to increase property value than the others.
Regardless of the scope of your ambition, rely on tried and tested methods to make a difference in the value department. Tackle one room at a time. Calculate the total costs, including your time, and formulate a budget. Identify must-haves that have a real impact on the price and influence purchase decisions.
Following the tips above you should be able to present a welcoming and inviting home. Also check out the latest trends in home renovations, which will help you increase your asking price without fear of repelling potential buyers.
Home Seller FAQ
Which budget renovations add the most value to my home before I sell?
In order of importance, here are my suggestions: Declutter, Clean, Repair broken items, Paint and modernize lights.
Storing excess items (decluttering) is the cheapest way to add value to your home, followed by giving it a good cleaning. Next, make sure that any damaged items are repairs, down to small things like broken light switches, burned out light bulbs, etc.
Next, give the home a good paint job, but here quality of workmanship matters. Hire a painter, it’s actually cheaper than you might think, because good painters also have access to lower paint prices, so part of their labour is recouped in lower paint costs.
Lastly, ditch those old lights and upgrade to new, modern LED lights to add some brightness to the home.
Finally, choose a good reputable real estate agent to help you with the sale..
About the Publisher
Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages. He can be reached easily By E-Mail or call/text him Call/Text HereNever miss an episode of our real estate podcast. Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android. For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App. For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App. Check my videos on Youtube
ESCO
Also think about automating your home. This is especially important for young buyers.
Start with such a thing as a smart thermostat. Installing a smart thermostat has many benefits, including improving the energy efficiency of the home.The main way smart thermostats do it is by reducing your heating and cooling automatically when it’s not needed.
Gervais Mechanical
Yes, energy-efficient homes tend to sell for a higher price than similar, less efficient properties. HVAC systems use the most energy and account for 46% of the average U.S. home’s energy consumption. By improving it, you can significantly improve your home’s energy efficiency.
To upgrade your HVAC system, pay attention to air conditioners with a SEER rating and furnaces with an AFUE rating. The higher the rating, the greater efficiency.
Service Today
Oh yeah, bright houses attract buyers. By the way, in addition to lighting, there are other ways to make the house brighter: https://servicetoday247.com/7-hacks-to-a-brighter-home/.
Integrity
HVAC upgrade is another thing you can do in order to improve your home’s energy efficiency. With a new HVAC system, homeowners may cut their electric bills by 20%. This type of home improvement will make your home’s market value skyrocket.
Happy Hiller
Oh, right. Lighting works wonders. And landscape lighting is also important. A well-placed landscape lighting can emphasize the home’s best features. According to the “Most wanted things” list, 41% of people said that proper exterior lighting is a must-have, and 49% said it is desirable.
DSP
You made a good point about the exterior of a house. it’s important, yeah. I want to suggest another bolder solution – to install some kind of water feature. It can be a small pond (there are many DIY options on the Internet), a fountain, or even a swimming pool. As for a pool, It may seem expensive to install. But houses with pools usually look more luxurious, which can benefit you if you’re thinking of selling your home.
Polestar
Thank you for sharing such great tips! Another thing you may need to do to increase the home’s value is to eliminateall problems in the plumbing system. In some cases, you may even need a pipe replacement. Even though replacing pipes and plumbing fixtures may seem pretty troublesome and expensive, it’s worth it. The old and faulty plumbing poses a great threat to your property and plumbing repairs are not cheap and need much effort which can scare a potential buyer.