Don't waste your time and money upgrading your home without adding any resale value. Here are five projects that will give you the most satisfaction and bang for the buck.
Create an Inviting Entrance
By adding color and comfort to your home's yard and entrance, it will feel more inviting. Paint your front door a friendly color. Place a bench or rocking chair on the porch. Add plants and flowers to garden beds or pots. Take care of your grass to keep it green and free of weeds. If you want to make an even grander statement, enlarge your porch. One often overlooked entrance to your home is the garage door. You can either replace the entire garage door with a new and modern design, or simply add a decorative flourish, such as new handles, to make it look more inviting. Suddenly, instead of a generic garage door, you'll have something that draws the eye and improves the overall look of your home.
Consider Your Floorplan
An open floor plan is right at the top of potential buyers' "must-haves" when shopping for a new home. If you live in an older home, strategically knocking down a few walls to create larger rooms will have a huge impact on how seriously your home is considered for purchase. Is your home short on bathrooms? These days, 3+ bathrooms are the norm and practically a requirement. If you don't have the following bathrooms, consider adding one to your floorplan:
- Master bathroom
- One or more full bathrooms for all the other bedrooms
- Powder room on the main floor
- Either a half or full bathroom in the basement
Another bedroom is usually more desirable and commands a much higher resale value than a den or recreation room. Make sure every room, even small ones, have a window. When it does, it can be categorized as a bedroom and you'll get a huge return on your small investment.
Bring in the Light
One thing that never ceases to impress is a well-lit home, inside and out. Installing new, correctly sized light fixtures adds an instant wow factor. For making an even grander impression, enlarge windows or add more of them, especially if they boast an amazing view.
Upgrade the Essentials
In the case of a home, essential upgrades include the following: Flooring Wood floors and light-colored tiles have never gone out of style and they require little upkeep. Everyone loves these flooring upgrades above anything else you can install underfoot. Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops You may assume that higher-end appliances up the value of your home but that isn't necessarily the case. Refinishing or replacing your old cabinets and upgrading your countertops are the real crowd pleasers. Plumbing Fixtures You don't necessarily need a complete bathroom renovation in order to add value. The most important items to upgrade are the toilet, faucets, and shower head.
Keep It Maintained, Clean, and Clutter Free
If you have water damage, a termite infestation, or a leaky roof, you'll never sell your home even no matter how beautifully designed it is. Taking care of your house's maintenance isn't glamorous, but it's the single-most important step for adding value. Dirt, dust, cobwebs, grime, and unpleasant smells are a real turn off to visitors. Keeping your place sparkling clean will go a long way in adding perceived value to your home. If you are unable to keep up on all the work yourself, hiring a cleaning service can be a huge help. Give away or sell furniture that takes up too much measurable or visual space. Take down excessive or heavy wall hangings to allow architectural features to shine. Everyone can always use more storage space. Don't skimp on closet sizes and shelving. Don't forget about inside the garage! Be sure it's swept out, de-cluttered, and in a presentable state. To find out more about garage organization and storage solutions, visit Flow Wall to get inspired and make a garage organization plan.
