6 Ways You Can Improve Your Home’s Value

How to Improve the Value of Your Home in 2018

When it comes time to sell your home, you want to get the best possible resale value. Don’t wait until it’s time to sell to start upgrading. Begin working on your home now so you won’t be stuck paying a lot of money for upgrades you won’t get to enjoy.

All good home improvements start with a plan. You’ll get better results if you have a cohesive plan for upgrading rather than doing repairs at random. Begin by keeping a list of the things that don’t work in your home.

Is the lighting bad? Does traffic flow well? Are you constantly wishing you had more storage in the kitchen? Chances are if these things bother you, they will also be a problem for the next owners. These 6 home improvements will provide the most impact when trying to increase your home’s value.

Don’t Skip the Basics

Before you go all out remodeling your home, ensure important elements like the roof, furnace and insulation are all up to code. Your home will be inspected by a professional before any sale, and these things could cause your deal to fall through. Make sure your home will pass inspection before you start to upgrade or modernize.

A bad roof will quickly put a snag in your sale. Not to mention that a leaky roof will cause serious damages if left unattended. Make sure your shingles are in good condition and there are no leaks. After the roof is sound, look at your insulation. A well-insulated attic will reduce heating costs and make your home cozier. Any unsafe materials (such as asbestos) should be completely removed and replaced with safe alternatives.

A furnace that’s past its prime will likely be flagged during a home inspection. If your furnace is older than 20 years, you may need to update your central heating system. A new furnace will make your family more comfortable and help reduce heating costs. And don’t forget to check the foundation. Cracks or drainage issues are big red flags for potential buyers.

Landscaping Matters

It all starts with curb appeal. The first thing a potential buyer will see when arriving at your home is the front yard. If the exterior of your home is a turnoff, their opinion will be negative before they even step inside. Or, they may not even come inside at all. Start by having an objective look at how the front of your home appears to someone passing by.

Your front walkway and driveway should look safe and be inviting. Have any cracks or loose pieces repaired, and consider replacing old concrete with a more attractive option such as pavers or cobblestone. If you don’t have a streetlight in front of your home, make sure your walkway and front entranceway are well lit. Add post or pathway lighting and update your front door lighting.

Outdoor rooms are an excellent way to increase your home’s value and expand your living space. An outdoor kitchen or living room will provide a place to entertain and make a great place to gather with family and friends.

Going Green

The efficient and environmentally friendly living is more important than ever. Reducing your home’s footprint by improving electricity and water consumption attracts buyers in today’s market. To make any upgrade even more valuable, always look for environmentally friendly options.

Programmable thermostats, Energy Star certified appliances, and low-flow faucets and showerheads are easy updates that make a big environmental impact. Old windows not only decrease your home’s value, they also result in higher heating bills. Replace out-of-date wood windows and doors with new energy efficient vinyl alternatives. Solar panels may seem like a big investment, but the return in both reduced energy costs and increased resale value may be worth it.

Lighting Your Way

When you step inside your home, does it feel bright and welcoming or dark and dingy? Good lighting can completely change the look of your home. For the best lighting, aim for a layered effect. You need good ambient light, task lighting, and overall room lighting as well. A combination of lamps, wall sconces, and ceiling lights will help you achieve this.

If you can’t afford a complete lighting overhaul, small updates can make a big difference. Replace standard switches with dimmers and swap out old switches for modern low-profile versions. To brighten a dark room, add a lamp or wall mounted light in a dark corner.

And don’t forget the outside lighting! An attractive front door sconce with coordinating exterior lights looks much better than standard builder grade lighting.

Remodel Your Bathroom

Updating your bathroom offers a big return on your investment. Buyers are attracted to bathrooms with a spa-like feel. One of the best ways to achieve this is to upgrade your shower. Replace vinyl surrounds with modern tile, and add a really good shower head. (Or two!) Swap out old drop sinks for under mount or vessel sinks that look much more modern. If you’re on a budget, update fixtures with stylish new models and replace your old toilet with a new efficient model.

Upgrading Your Kitchen

Nothing says outdated like old cabinets and clunky appliances. Even a minor kitchen update will increase your home’s value. If you need to start small, look at replacing hardware and painting cabinets. New door handles in a modern style and coordinating finish will improve the look of your kitchen for a very little cost. If your cabinets are in good shape but are just a bit out of date, a fresh coat of paint will make them look like new.

A new backsplash will instantly improve the look of your kitchen. This relatively low-cost update is easy to DIY if you take a bit of time. Replace paint or outdated ceramic tiles with modern glass or mosaic tiles. Old flooring really dates your kitchen. Change old linoleum or old damaged tiles for hardwood flooring or new tiles.

If your kitchen is really not working, a complete remodel may be on order. Your first goal should be to create more space. Remove unnecessary walls or cupboards to create an open floor plan. New appliances make buyers feel at ease. Stainless steel is a top seller with wide appeal. Features that add convenience really up value. Include items like a pull-out pantry or built-in garbage and recycling station in your design to make the kitchen user-friendly.