Like any well-meaning homeowner, increasing the value of your home is always a good idea. Maybe you want to upgrade the house you are living in or show it off to family and friends. Or maybe you are prepping to sell it and are looking to fetch a bigger sum for it. Whatever the reason, a surefire way to increase your property’s value is to give it a facelift through a variety of home improvement projects, says PropertyHunters.com. These projects can range from simple do-it-yourself (DIY) renovations to major makeovers that would require the help of professionals.
But before going full blast with your home improvement efforts, make sure first that you have a clear, fool-proof plan for when you opt for a major refurbishing. The reason being is that an extensive redevelopment can render parts of your home unlivable and leave you no choice but to relocate temporarily—up until the renovations are complete. For instance, if you happen to live in Florida, you might also have to consider hiring movers Tampa residents trust so you can move some of your stuff out when necessary. By clearing out some of your things, you will be ensuring that nothing can potentially get in the way of your home improvement efforts.
With that said, here are four home improvement projects that will increase your property’s value:
Fix what needs to be fixed
A house in deplorable condition holds little value. Therefore, your first order of business when it comes to home improvement is to fix anything that has been damaged. So, go around your property and check for anything that needs repairing, like broken windows, busted sockets, holes in walls, creaky doors, leaking faucets, and cracked tiles.
Check, too, for cracks in the ceilings, worn out paint, damaged roofing, stained carpets, and malfunctioning appliances or HVAC systems. Once you are done with your checklist, fix the issues you have noticed one at a time. You can DIY some of them, like patching holes in walls, replacing busted lighting, and adjusting creaky doors. As for the other repair jobs, such as replacing the roof and repairing busted sockets, consider calling a professional to do them.
Update the facade of your home
The very first thing people will notice about your property is its exterior. And fairly or not, they will form their first impressions of your property based on what they see on the outside. It makes sense then to make improvements to this part of the house so that your property can ace the first impressions test.
The first thing you can do is clean the outside of your property and make sure it is free of dirt, debris, and even mold. Enhance what you can, too, by repainting your gate or fence or adding a patio or outdoor fireplace. You can also hire a professional to do some landscaping, plant native trees or shrubs, and grow perennial foliage to enhance your property’s curb appeal and add value to it.
Go for the bathroom-kitchen makeover combo
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms inside the house as it is where meals are prepared or even shared, and it can get really busy in there most of the time. It makes perfect sense then to upgrade it to ensure a layout and setup convenient for kitchen work by incorporating modern furniture and furnishings and by creating extra room wherever possible.
The bathroom, meanwhile, might seem like an afterthought at first, but it is actually a sanctuary of sorts in today’s modern times. That’s because many spend quite some time here for their skin or personal care routines. Needless to say, the bathroom is now essential and needs a makeover as well.
An easy trick to go about doing the bathroom-kitchen makeover combo is to change the lighting and the fixtures such that they match your style and preferences. You can, for instance, add a few more light sources in both your kitchen and bathroom and then swap out old fixtures like sinks for newer, more modern ones. You can also redo the paint job for both and choose trendier, more welcoming color combinations. If the budget permits, you can even add some cool gadgets, too, like the latest water heater or some high-end kitchen appliances.
Incorporate green additions
There is a growing emphasis nowadays on environmental awareness and on being eco-friendly. In fact, quite a few homebuyers are actively seeking out green properties, or homes that are sustainable due to their eco-friendly features. Suffice to say, you should consider adding these features to your home.
One thing you can do is install a rainwater recapture system that collects rainwater and repurposes it for everyday use. You can also add solar panels so your home can harness solar energy and lower your home’s electrical demands. You might also want to do a little landscaping and add some plants and vegetation to your lawn. These additions are not only good for nature, but will also increase the value of your home.
The home improvement suggestions above are a mix of major and minor upgrades, but each is sure to add more value to your property. You can start with the easier ones first, which you can DIY. Then, you can proceed to the harder, pricier ideas—ideally with the help of professionals.
