Home Improvement Projects That Will Increase The Resale Value Of Your Home

No matter how much you love your home, there’s always a chance that one day you’ll want to upgrade or downsize. You may decide that your current neighborhood is too far from your family members, or you might have a child entering school age and decide you want to move to a more desirable school district. Whatever the case, it’s possible that you’ll want to sell your home down the road, and every homeowner wants to get the most value during a sale.

There are many ways you can go about raising the value of your home, and a few that will add only time, effort, and money on your part. The latter are projects that are expensive, show too much of your personal taste, or involve a niche style. To get your home’s maximum value, it’s important to do some research before making any changes and think hard about what will attract a buyer if and when you decide to sell.

Read on for a few of the best tips on where to start.

Start small

One of the easiest ways to add value to your home is to start small by making cosmetic changes. Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint, a little landscaping, and some updated accessories (such as drawer pulls and cabinet knobs) can go a long way. Decide on a neutral theme for your home before making any changes. For instance, you’ll want to think about paint colors that go with the design motif of your home. Marble countertops and elaborate light fixtures require an elegant color scheme, while a rustic theme might allow you to add a little more color.

Think of your home’s age

If you’re unsure of where to begin, think first about how old your home is. The year it was built may dictate which updates you’ll need to make. Also consider weather and climate concerns. For instance, you’ll want to have an inspector take a look at your roof. Loose or broken shingles may indicate the need for repairs, but be on the lookout for scams from unlicensed contractors or door-to-door salesmen. For more information on these potential issues, read on here.

Look at your bathrooms and kitchen

These are the areas that are the most popular when it comes to renovations, and while they can be the most expensive, they can also draw in a potential buyer pretty quickly.

"They're always right up there at the top of the list. They're the big, sexy rooms that new home builders splurge on, so when buyers are shopping around, that's what they want in an existing home, too,” says Sal Alfano of Remodeling Magazine.

Even if your home isn’t very old, it’s possible that these rooms will be the first things that need an update. Just remember to set a budget and do some research on which projects you might be able to tackle yourself in order to save money.

Get eco-friendly

Making some eco-friendly changes can go a long way with many buyers these days, as more people are choosing to reduce their carbon footprint. This can mean many different things, from installing solar panels to replacing all the lighting with energy-efficient bulbs. The more eco-friendly changes you can make, the better chance you’ll have to recoup your money. For more on going green, check out this helpful article.

Taking on any home project can be overwhelming if you aren’t prepared, so do your homework before you begin. Don’t forget to ask for help--from a knowledgeable friend, family member or a professional, as this will ensure that your projects won’t break the bank.

Author

Suzie Wilson is an interior designer with more than 20 years experience. What started as a hobby (and often, a favor to friends) turned into a passion for creating soothing spaces in homes of every size and style. While her goal always includes making homes look beautiful, her true focus is on fashioning them into serene, stress-free environments that inspire tranquility in all who enter. The Ultimate Guide to Prepping Your Home for an Open House is filled with tips, tricks and other advice based on Suzie’s years of experience in interior home design that will set you up