8 Ways to Increase Home Value
Homeowners are always looking for ways to increase home value. It’s the little things that make a big difference to home appraisers. Here are 8 ways to increase home value.
Flickr: MichiganMoves/Creative Commons
1. Curb Appeal
They say you only have one chance to make a first impression, so the curb appeal of your home is very important. Keeping the lawn tidy, power washing the sidewalks, and adding fresh mulch are just a few of the things you can do to boost your curb appeal.
2. Fresh Paint
One of the best ways to increase home value is to add a fresh coat of paint to the most important rooms inside your house. New paint makes rooms look updated which equals value. Be sure to stick with neutral colors as these have the most widespread appeal.
3. Declutter
When trying to add value to your home, less is more – always. Get rid of your knickknacks, collections, and displays that take up a lot of room. Keep rooms furnished with only the basics. If you don’t want to throw your things away, you can put them in a storage unit. Your house will feel bigger and brighter which is more attractive both appraisers and potential buyers.
Flickr: _rockinfree/Creative Commons
4. Highlight Unfinished Rooms
An unfinished attic or basement, or an unused patio area are full of potential. Organize and clean the areas, improve lighting, and add storage to highlight their square footage and the utility of the potential living area. For an unused patio, buy some furniture and potted plants to make it look inviting.
5. Cater to the Market
If you have an extra room, repurpose it to what the market is looking for. If there are a lot of young professionals, make it an office, or a TV room. If there are a lot of families, make it a playroom for children or another bedroom.
6. Improve Lighting
Bright (but not too bright) is better. Buy light bulbs with more lumens and replace fixtures when necessary. Nothing makes a house lose its value like poorly lit rooms.
7. Fresh Curtains & Blinds
Curtains and blinds fade over time, so buy some new ones to really make the spaces in your home pop. Little details like these that are often overlooked, make a huge difference.
Flickr: NickNguyen/Creative Commons
8. Spruce up the bathroom
Buy a new shower curtain, bath mat, and towels. If necessary, regrout the shower, and buy new light fixtures and a mirror. A clean and updated bathroom will make people feel like they are entering a new bathroom, not yours.