WHAT CAN I DO TO INCREASE THE VALUE OF MY HOME?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you’re looking to sell your home in the near future, you may be wondering how to increase its value to bring you the best price possible. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to increase your home’s value and not break your budget in the process.

Here we will explore eight ways that you can easily increase your home’s value, with a little creativity, your budget can stay intact and the value will still increase.

1) Make a Plan for Remodeling

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”8597″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whether you have an older home and a more recent one, there is always some area that could use an updated look, either curb appeal, the kitchen, the bathroom, the family room, or another area of your home. Start by taking a good look at your house on the inside and outside. What areas could use an improvement or upgrade?

Then make a list of stuff you’d like to upgrade, even if your list includes some more expensive upgrades, it will still do you good to see it all in writing. Include on your list the possible costs and how they may or may not affect your budget. Be aware that some upgrades could cost thousands of dollars, but will raise your homes value exponentially, while others may do nothing for your home’s value.

Once you have your list finished, sort it out by costs, time, labor, and value it could give to your home. Then you need to decide what improvements are necessities vs those that you wish for, prioritize your list of what you need and what you want. This will make things more realistic to you.

With your list of improvements in hand, seek out a realtor or another property expert, to give yourself a better idea of whether or not your budget can take such hits or if you are being unrealistic in your expectations.

2) Clutter Be Gone!

Now that you’ve gotten your list completed, categorized, prioritized and shown to a real estate agent, it’s time to declutter and clean up your house and yard. Not the funnest part of selling your home, but a step that is beyond necessary before you partake in any improvements or upgrades.

A clean, decluttered house will look more appealing to real estate agents when they come out to look around. It will also help with appraisals and when you get an offer.

A few ideas to get you started include:

You can’t go wrong with a fresh coat of paint.

Get rid of anything that you haven’t used in six months to a year.

Any bulky or unnecessary items can be removed and stored.

Mow the lawn and apply some fertilizer in any bare spots that could use some help.

Trim your shrubs and bushes as well as any unsightly tree limbs that might be hanging.

Get those weeds out of your vegetable and flower gardens.

Any yard tools you use, be sure to put them back in the shed or garage when you finish with them.

Give your interior an overhaul, and make it more spacious looking by removing old, beat-up furniture or knick-knacks. You could even rearrange your furniture to make space look more open to potential buyers.

3) Do a Deep Cleaning

Aside from your normal, everyday chores, do a deep cleaning which includes baseboards, cupboards, grout, tile, draperies, hardwood floor waxing, walls, windows, carpets, and more. If you can afford it, you could always hire a professional cleaning company to partake in the cleaning instead of doing it yourself.

Do not forget to pressure clean the exterior of your home, including decks, patios, and porches. Any outdoor furniture you have could be pressure cleaned also.

4) One Room At a Time

Nothing good can come of the tackling of your entire home in one day. Mistakes could be made and you will exhaust yourself. Instead, make a commitment to finish one room at a time. Whether you deep clean it or knock down one of its walls, keep your focus in one room. If time is an issue, consider hiring a professional or ask your family members to help with the cleaning and improvements. Taking care of one room at a time will make your goals more attainable.

5) What’s That Smell?

If you smell it, you can’t sell it, this is the mantra that most real estate agents abide by. When you know your realtor has set up a showing for your home, take a sniff around. If you’re a smoker or have pets, it’s best to clean your carpets and furniture to eliminate the possibility of odors emitting themselves. While you may not be able to smell anything, someone else can. Get a second opinion from a friend or neighbor, then get down to eliminate those odors.

You could cook something just prior to the showing or set out some new air fresheners, and spray some deodorizing spray around the home. Essential oils and potpourri can help mask such odors.

6) Easy DIY Projects

If you’ve followed the previous steps up until this point, then congratulations! Why not take on a few DIY projects to help with the aesthetics of your home. DIY projects don’t have to be complicated, most can be done easily and effectively. For example, here are a few DIY projects you may want to consider engaging in to help increase your home’s value.

Curb Appeal–add some raised flower beds to your front yard. Be creative, don’t just make a wooden box and plant flowers in it. Try something unique like a painted used tire as a planter. You could even use a little red wagon that you might have stashed in the garage as a planter. Does your walkway look drab and boring? Try sprucing it up with different colored patio tiles or bricks, and plant some flowers or plants along its edges. You could even go so far as to add some garden gnomes to your flower beds, or solar-powered lights.

Keep in mind that curb appeal is often a huge factor in getting those potential buyers that drive by to come in and take a closer look at what your home has to offer them. Positive curb appeal vs negative curb appeal will always win!

Add new shelving–adding new shelving to the interior of your home can be almost as important as having appealing curb appeal. Especially if your home lacks storage areas. Buyers often look for storage areas when looking for a new home. You can either buy some shelving units at your local hardware store or go all out and make your own by researching DIY projects online.

7) Upgrade the Kitchen and Bathroom

Real estate agents agree that upgrades and improvements to these two areas of your home, help increase the value of your home. Try doing a mini-renovation to both of these rooms. Start with a fresh coat of paint, and if your budget will allow, new appliances in the kitchen will allow for a nice increase in its value. Avoid ceramic appliances if possible, the latest trends include going with a complete stainless steel overhaul for appliances. From there you can watch the value of your home skyrocket. You may want to consider adding an island or breakfast nook to your kitchen. The ideas are endless, be creative and enjoy yourself, potential buyers will enjoy it also.

You can also renovate the bathroom by adding new cabinets, a new toilet, or you can go so far as to add a stand-up shower if it doesn’t have one. How about a nice, claw-foot tub? Then there is the faucet, old and outdated do not work in your favor any longer. Buyers are looking for quality in both the bathroom and kitchen. Granite countertops or marble countertops can also add value to your home. Aim for relaxation, a friendly, soft atmosphere, that you yourself would love to spend time in.

8) Hire a Reputable Home Inspector

Once you’ve made the improvements, cleaned up the clutter, and given your house a facelift inside and out, be sure to hire a reputable home inspector to check it out. Most buyers will want a home inspection done before they decide on purchasing a new house. Ask your real estate agent who they would recommend and also check around on your own for pricing and the inspector’s reputation.

Be sure to hire an inspector before putting your home on the market, this way you’ll have the extra time to fix any flaws they may find, and it will save you the trouble of paying for last-minute fixes if there are any problems with your home.

By following these eight steps, you can increase the value of your home by hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and reap the benefits of your creativity in the end when your home sells for more than it was listed for. Good Luck![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]