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Most people think of renovations as something expensive and time-consuming. However, they can also be exciting. More importantly, smart home improvements add value to your house which is especially important if you thinking about putting it on the market. Take a look at 6 value-adding home improvements you can do right now and make your house more attractive to potential buyers.
Greater Energy Efficiency
Does your home have drafty windows and doors? Does it lack insulation? If the answer is yes, then you should definitely do something about it. Drafty doors and windows or bad insulation mean low energy efficiency. High energy use is a cost rarely any owner wants to bear, especially if they’re the new homeowner.
Therefore, this is the first home improvement you should make to add value. You can begin with some less demanding and more affordable improvements such as attic insulation. Carry out a detailed inspection of your house. Where ever you see a crack around your windows or doors, seal them. The same goes for electrical sockets or light switches. Once the cracks are completely sealed, you’ll notice a significant decrease in your heating and cooling expenses.
Then you can slowly move towards replacing old and drafty windows and doors if your finances allow it. This home improvement will change the appeal of your house. It will look modern and refreshed while also warmer during the winter and cooler throughout the summer.
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Spacious Deck or Porch
Do you have a deck? What about a porch or balcony? If not, this is the ideal opportunity for you to add some square footage to your house. Similarly, it’s a great way to make your home remote work friendlier. Since the summer is just around the corner, remote workers can use the deck or porch as their home office. It’s close to home and the Wi-Fi router, so they can still stay connected with their coworkers through the employee app. Also, they can work and sunbathe at the same time.
For this reason, you should build the deck or porch if you have space in the front or back of your house. Building the deck will take you much time in case you decide to do it by yourself. However, if you hire someone to help you out, the whole deck will be finished in no time. It all depends on how much money and time you’re willing to invest.
Bathroom Upgrade
Just like the kitchen, the bathrooms could also do some remodeling. Chances are you haven’t changed a thing since you moved in. So, if you want to get a fair price for the house, you should spend some time staging and remodeling your bathrooms. Start with small details. For example, add a splash of color. You can keep the original color of the walls and just freshen it up a bit or use this opportunity and paint them with a current neutral color. It’s up to you.
Then you can check the condition of the bathroom tiles and re-grout them if necessary. The same goes for the bathtub or the shower. If they’re in bad shape, then this step is a must for you. While you’re at it, check the faucets, and replace them too if necessary. This will prevent excessive water use and lower your utility bills.
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Kitchen Remodeling
You may not realize it, but kitchen remodeling actually adds value to your home both in financial and aesthetic sense. Buyers like to see a modern and well-furnished kitchen. If yours contains old-fashioned cabinets or damaged countertops, the buyer might not be inclined towards the real estate investment. What’s important when it comes to remodeling is not to overdo it. If you do, you might not get the money you invested back and then that’s a huge loss. Therefore, try to keep the remodeling costs as reasonable as possible.
The same advice on the energy efficiency applies here. At first, start small. For instance, you change the faucet first, or the light switches to make them more energy efficient too. Then you can think about adding new hardware on the cabinets or replacing them completely. However, if you don’t want to replace them, you can paint them or replace the drawers and doors for a modern and fresh look. When all the pieces come together, your kitchen will be as good as new.
Attic or Basement Refurbishment
While building a deck and adding square footage seems like a good idea, it can easily get out of hand and cost much more than initially planned. For this reason, you can renovate an attic or basement if you already have one. If you’re not using the attic for storage, they are ideal as a workout area, home office, or guest bedroom.
On the other hand, the basement can be refinished and turned into a common area, for example, a family room. The more multifunctional room is, the more appealable it seems to the buyers because they can personalize it to suit their taste and preferences.
Curb Appeal
Your home doesn’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Therefore, do what you can to make it appealable to others. Improving your curb appeal seems like a good place to start. If you just add a new walkway, your curb and house will gain a whole new appearance. Moreover, it’s not expensive either but quite effective.
If you’re looking for other ways to add value and change its appearance, you can replace the front door too. In case you have shrubs or trees, you should keep them pruned and your lawn mowed. Flowerpots or flowerbeds can also be a nice addition to your front yard. It goes without saying you should keep the siding clean. If it’s dirty, take as long as you need to clean it and get rid of dirt and dust build up.
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In the end, you have to remember one important thing. After all, it’s your home. You decide which home improvements you want to make. Just make sure they pay off when you decide to sell it.
