Today, the median home price in the US is $428,700, which is a 30% increase from 2020. Economic factors have increased property prices, but it’s done the same to the cost of living. So if you want to sell your house for top dollar, or just want to increase equity, then you need to do more.
Here, a home makeover is a great idea. Not only do you increase your home’s value, but you also get a change of scenery. That way, you can keep things fresh without having to move.
Keep reading for seven home improvement projects you can do to add value to your property.
1. Boost the Curb Appeal
When potential buyers visit, the first thing they’ll see is the exterior of your house. If it’s not in tip-top shape, then you can forget about them having further interest, even if it looks like a palace on the inside. First impressions are everything, after all.
What you do here will depend on your home’s current condition. For many, some thorough cleaning will already make things significantly better. For example, you can pressure wash surfaces to get rid of grime and dirt that’s accumulated over the years.
Adding fresh coats of paint, fixing small broken things, or installing a new front door or garage door helps too.
And don’t forget about landscaping! Raking up weeds, pruning bushes, and planting colorful flowers will breathe new life into your outdoor spaces.
2. Upgrade Your Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most essential spaces to buyers, so do everything you can to spruce yours up. If you don’t have much money, you don’t have to go big either.
The first things to tackle include cabinet hardware, light fixtures, and the kitchen faucet and other kitchen appliances. If your cabinets are still in good shape, you can just give them a fresh coat of paint instead of spending extra money on costly replacements.
Do replace your kitchen backsplash if it’s old and outdated. That tends to be a focal point in this space, so it’s important that it looks sharp and modern.
3. Remodel Your Bathrooms
Another place that buyers place importance on is the bathroom, so this is one of the best home improvement projects to do. For many, it’s a personal haven away from the stress of everyday life, so it’s vital that your bathrooms look fantastic.
Again, you don’t have to go crazy with the project if you don’t have much money and/or time. Start off simple with tasks like regrouting the bathtub or shower stall. You can also install new fixtures and repaint the walls.
If you’d like to, install a bathtub if you don’t already have one. This can add to the luxurious feel you’re trying to create.
4. Add a Deck
When the pandemic happened, and everyone had to shelter at home, it put a huge spotlight on outdoor living spaces. We rediscovered our love for our yards, which provide private natural areas for us to spend quality time with our loved ones. This means that potential buyers will likely be searching for homes with excellent outdoor spaces.
What’s great about decks is they’re cost-effective, so you’ll get an outstanding return on investment (ROI). You’ll also get to enjoy it while you’re still in the house, meaning you can add outdoor chairs, sofas, dining tables, grills, etc., to fully enjoy your space.
5. Replace the Flooring
If you’ve got faded and ratty carpeting, then it’s got to go. Carpet’s fast out of fashion, and no matter how much you deep clean it, it’ll appear old and worn out. Buyers won’t have a good impression at all when they come for a showing.
Even if you don’t have carpet, replacing your home’s flooring has a good ROI. Ideally, you should get hardwood floors. They’re durable, easy to maintain, and most importantly, look amazing.
6. Add an Accessory Dwelling Unit
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) can be a huge undertaking, but in the end, it also has a great ROI. There are housing and space shortages everywhere, so an ADU will definitely add to your quality of life.
If you’ve got the budget and square footage for it, you can create a detached new construction in your yard. Otherwise, you can convert your garage or add an ADU above it, or convert your basement.
7. Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Chances are, you’ve got old appliances that are huge energy sinks. While tackling your home renovation projects, take this opportunity to replace them so you’ve got new and green electronics. Not only does it look better, but it’ll also appeal to buyers, as they’re becoming more eco-conscious.
Another easy task is replacing your light bulbs with LED ones. You’ll save money and reduce your carbon footprint too!
While you’re at it, seal all cracks and even install new windows. This, plus extra insulation, will make your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. This will save both you and the next homeowner money on utility bills.
Take on These Home Improvement Projects
Whether you’re staying in your house for the foreseeable future, or you’re planning on selling it soon, taking on some home improvement projects isn’t a bad idea. This is especially true if you’ve been in your home for a while and it’s not in the best shape it could be in.
Considering that we’ve included both low and high-effort projects, as well as low and high-cost ones, you’ll have the flexibility to prioritize the ones that are most valuable to you.
If you liked these home improvement ideas, then keep reading our blog page for more inspiration.
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