If you’ve been thinking about selling your home, one of the first questions you’ve probably asked yourself is, “What is my home worth?” When the answer isn’t what you hoped it would be, it’s time to start thinking about ways to boost the value of your property.
A home addition or major renovation isn’t in the cards for many people, whether due to money, time constraints, or both. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy projects that can provide a big bang for the buck.
Paint
The easiest way to increase the value of your home is to paint. Freshly painted rooms look updated and clean, which automatically raises value. But you’ll need to choose the right colors, keeping in mind that neutrals tend to appeal to more people, making your home more desirable.
Even better, the average gallon of paint is just $20 to $30, according to HomeAdvisor, which generally covers 300 square feet.
Boost Curb Appeal with Low-Maintenance Landscaping
Curb appeal is an integral part of a home’s value, but when it comes to landscaping, you’ll want to consider attractive, low-maintenance options. For example, purchase drought-tolerant plants, or plants that are native to your region, which requires less maintenance and water.
If your lawn is overgrown or patchy, it will instantly detract from your home’s curb appeal. It can be worth hiring a lawn service to get it in shape, transforming it from messy to well-maintained for a relatively low cost.
Paint or Replace Exterior Doors
Another part of curb appeal is your home’s exterior doors. Replacing an old front door can make a significant difference as it’s one of the first things people see when visiting. Or, simply paint it to freshen up the look.
As the garage door often takes up the most space, installing a rustic wood door or a modern glass panel door can dramatically improve the exterior of your home.
Give It a More Spacious Feel
The size of your home is one of the biggest factors in determining its value, but the square footage isn’t all that counts. The visual or how spacious it feels is important too. There are many ways to make it look and feel larger than it is. Eliminate all the clutter and if rooms are filled with a lot of furniture, consider minimalizing. The more furniture, clutter, knick-knacks, etc. you have, the more cramped it feels.
Let plenty of natural light in by replacing heavy curtains with shutters or blinds. Adding a single large mirror in a room can visually double the space. Take advantage of any underused space to add an attractive shelving unit with drawers where clutter you can’t get rid of will be hidden out of sight.
Replace Outdated Fixtures
Fixtures are usually simple and relatively inexpensive to replace, yet they can make a big difference in any room. New drawer pulls, knobs, and faucets in matching styles provide a more modern, cohesive look while making a big impact.
Adding a decorative, functional ceiling fan not only can provide more light, but can reduce utility bills by creating a soft breeze that reduces air conditioning use.
