Learn ways to add value to your home no matter what your budget.
Increasing your homes value is easier than you may think. Although some home improvements can be costly and may not seem worth it at this time, there are some simple tips you can follow to make your home worth more before you know it. Here are eight tips to help increase the value of your home.
Tip 1: Spend an hour with a professional
Inviting a realtor or interior designer to your home to see what suggestions they have can be a great starting point for home improvement. Even small suggested improvements, such as paint colors or furniture placement, can go a long way toward improving the look and feel of your home.
Tip 2: Hire a house inspector
Not all home improvements are cosmetic. Whether it be leaky roofs, a termite infestation or outdated electrical systems, you can't fix these issues if you don't know they are there. Hiring an inspector to check out these areas in your home that you would not normally see is a great way to help you discover hidden problems that could negatively impact your home's value.
Tip 3: Paint is key
Paint is a very simple and cost effective home improvement. Freshly painted rooms help to make your home look clean and updated. When selecting paint colors try to keep in mind that neutral colors appeal to the greatest number of people, therefore making your home more desirable.
Tip 4: Find some inspiration
A great alternative to hiring a designer to come give you suggestions on your home is to search for remodeling and decorating inspiration in design magazines, books, TV shows, or online. Looking at other people’s ideas is a great way to give you some inspiration for making updates to your home.
Tip 5: Cut energy costs
Now more than ever people are taking into high consideration the energy costs within a home. Many local utility companies will provide free energy audits of their customers' homes and can show you how to maximize the energy efficiency within your home.
Tip 6: Small bathroom updates create a big return
You can never go wrong with bathroom updates. Even if you can't afford a full remodel, small changes can make a huge impact even if it is just as simple as replacing old wallpaper or replacing old lighting. This will help to update the room without drastically denting your wallet.
Tip 7: Replace worn carpets or old area rugs
Taking a look at your flooring can be a great start in improving the value of your home. Are your carpets and area rugs stained or worn? Buyers get incredibly turned off when they walk into a house and immediately see that they will need to replace the flooring. Ideally, you would probably want to replace them all, however, if you are limited by budget just start with replacing the carpet in the rooms that you see the most wear and tear and replace the others as your finances allow.
Tip 8: Update the entrance to your home
The look of your front door and entrance plays a huge role in the initial appeal of your home. As visitors enter your home, the front door serves as a transition into your home and is part of their first impression. Entry doors are components that should compliment your home's overall design, not detract from it.
