Whether you are planning to refinance or to sell your home, you want it to be as valuable as possible. Some of the ideas that follow are simple, low-cost tactics to improve the worth of your home, while some are more time consuming and costly. Read on, and pick and choose the value-building tips that will help in your situation.
1. If a problem arises that requires a minor repair, take care of it immediately before it becomes a much larger problem.
2. Consider convenience. Are lights and light switches where you “expect” them to be? Do cupboards open the way you anticipate? If not, consider making some changes.
3. Outfit your bathroom with a spa or whirlpool tub. Anything that makes the bathroom seem like a luxurious area is a good thing.
4. Install a bathroom fan to help stop moisture from producing mildew.
5. Use a dehumidifier if there is too much moisture in your house elsewhere.
6. Replace window air conditioner units with central air.
7. Recoat your driveway.
8. The first impression your home makes is its outside appearance, so upkeep the outside of your house as well as (or better than!) the inside.
9. Get rid of the clutter… maybe even including unnecessary walls. Spacious homes are more valuable and appear larger.
10. Replace your faucets and doorknobs so that they shine.
11. Keep your windows clean and consider installing more. Well lit homes are more valuable and appear larger. Skylights help to this end.
12. Pay attention to how your house sounds. Hear any squeaking or creaking? If so, take care of it.
13. Replace your current windows with windows made to be energy efficient.
14. If you do not have any, plant some trees. Unfortunately, large trees are the most desirable… so be patient!
15. If you renovate your home, do not do so much to your house that it becomes significantly different than the others in your neighborhood. This is especially true with outdoor renovations.
16. Just as you want the attributes of your house to be similar to other neighborhood houses, you also want your landscaping to be on a similar scale. Do landscape, but do not go above and beyond what most others have done.
17. Keep a careful watch on any large trees close to your house. Any large branches that are less than stable should be removed to prevent damage to your home (not to mention yourself!)
18. Create as much storage space as possible, including small storage spaces like cabinets.
19. Add ceramic tile, or replace current vinyl with ceramic.
20. Install a convenient island in your kitchen.
21. Walk-in closets, especially in the master bedroom, are quite valuable.
22. If you will be moving and have the opportunity to do so, consider adding a specific room onto your home. Add whatever you think prospective homeowners in your neighborhood will be looking for, but usually an extra bedroom is the most valuable addition.
23. Add a porch or a deck to increase value significantly.
24. Add a loft space to your home to create more room without necessarily using up the space you already have.
25. Keep the colors of your home, especially siding and paint, neutral and classic. Choosing a color that is surprising and trendy will look outdated sooner rather than later.
26. Replace any chipped tiling.
27. If you have a basement that is not currently dry, consult a professional to find out if you can make it dry. This renovation can be very valuable, because that space then can be used either for storage or to be made into a furnished basement.
28. Be proactive in protecting your home by working with professionals to prevent unnecessary wear and tear to your home.
29. Update your kitchen. Kitchens with old tile, countertops and appliances date your home very quickly.
30. Update your bathroom(s). Along with kitchens, bathrooms really can make or break a house. It can make your home seem outdated, or completely modern and convenient.
31. Replace carpet with more long-lasting, generally cleaner and more durable materials.
32. Replace your light bulbs so that there is no dim light, and do so with energy efficient bulbs.
33. If it has been a while since you’ve redone your rooms, put on a fresh coat of paint.
34. Make your home as “green” as possible, a feature that will be become increasingly more attractive and valuable in the future.
35. If you will be selling your home, have a professional take a look at your pipes and electrical lines to make sure that everything is running properly.
36. Open the windows to air out your home so that its scent is not too “personal” to you and your family.
37. Change the filters on your air conditioner and furnace.
38. Consider replacing cabinet doors to spruce up old rooms.
39. Protect your home against potential wind or water damage by checking to make sure that your roof tiles, drains, and gutters are secure and working properly.
40. Whatever your personal renovation projects, try not to skimp on the materials used. Using higher quality materials will be much more valuable in the long run.
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