Have you ever asked yourself “what is my home worth?” There are several reasons why one might want to increase the value of their home. The primary reason is preparing the home for sale. Here are some ways that the value of your home can be improved through simply investment of time, creativity, and a little elbow grease.
1. Landscaping
A well-manicured lawn is far more likely to attract an enthusiastic buyer than a straggly yard full of crabgrass, detritus, and moldy dog toys. Improvements of greenery can range from the planting of a simple-but-picturesque garden by the porch, to a multi-thousand dollar investment in professional landscape design that will turn your green space into the kind of wonderland you’d see in a magazine. Don’t neglect the nature that encompasses your house. Beautiful greenery increases home value significantly.
2. Invest in Energy-Efficiency
No one wants to buy a house that is going to suck every last dime and penny out of their pocket. Energy efficiency is vital to the worth of a home. For some, there are basic improvements to integrate, such as new home appliances that can cut the cost of electricity and gas bills. More advanced and expensive options might include integrating eco-friendly technology like solar panels, or utilizing a smart thermostat so you only use the energy required for heating or cooling the home. One of the biggest issues are old furnaces, so have an evaluation done and see if the cost investment of fixing or replacing it is worth the increase in home value.
3. Paint
Something as simple as a new coat of paint can do wonders for a home’s value. Whether it’s the shutters, the entire exterior, or every interior wall, paint (and wallpaper!) can improve the aesthetics of a house dramatically. Do not, however, try to use paint, wallpaper, or new boarding to try to cover up imperfections or damage in the home.
4. Room Upgrades
The rooms in the house that make the biggest impression on home buyers are the kitchen and the bathroom. This may have to do with the fact that both rooms require a great deal of upkeep. Investing in upgrades and renovations to these rooms can increase home value, but you need to make the proper calculations to determine as to whether it will be a gain or loss of capital once the home is sold.
5. The Roof
Slate, tile, and copper roofs can last over fifty years. Wood shake roofs last about thirty years. Fiber cement shingles last about twenty-five years, and asphalt shingle composition roofs last about twenty years, but if you ask the average homeowner, it’s more like twelve to fifteen. Is it time for a new roof? Here are some signs that it’s time to invest in one:
- Curled or missing shingle tiles
- Broken or damaged flashing
- Ice damming
- Discolored ceilings and walls
- Unwelcome animals in the home (most likely in the attic)
Cost may vary for all of these options, but there is always a spectrum of cost that one can consider when embarking on home-improvement.
