23 Great Ways To Increase Your Home’s Value

Home sellers sometimes need to make their house stand out. This is especially true in a buyer’s market. If there are a lot of properties on the market, interested parties are at more attributes than just a home’s price.

There are many ways that you can improve your house’s value. Some things are minor, while others could require significant renovations and upgrades. What you choose to do will ultimately depend on your own preferences and budget.

Selling a home in the Tampa Bay, Florida area isn’t always easy. You have to pay attention to current market trends and see what other similar properties have sold for. There will be different people involved in the process, and there may be unexpected issues or delays along the way. You should still be able to accomplish your goal. Patience, persistence and a good game plan can help you succeed.

Here are 23 ways that you can instantly increase your home’s value:

1.Add a fresh coat of paint.

Painting the interior walls of your home doesn’t take a lot of time or effort. You should be able to finish most rooms in less than a day or two. You may want to pick neutral shades or colors to attract more attention from potential buyers.

2. Install a water filtration system.

Adding a water filtration system to your kitchen can save money. It can also lower expenses because you’re not relying on bottled water. It’s a nice touch that’s sure to wow home buyers.

3. Invest in landscaping.

You know how important first impressions are. Buyers don’t like looking at lawns that are messy or unkempt. Take some time to landscape your lawn. Trim hedges and shrubs. You can do the work yourself or hire experts to complete the job for you.

4. Make your home seem larger.

Increasing the visual appearance of your house’s square footage is an easy way to add value without doing a lot of work. You can buy shelving units to create more space.

Add vertical shutters or blinds and get rid of your traditional window coverings. Reduce clutter by donating or throwing out old unused toys, furniture and other items as needed.

5. Update your bathrooms.

Simple bathroom upgrades can be conducted for a few hundred dollars. You could replace your tile floors, swap out your shower head for a newer model or replace your bathroom faucet. Your bathrooms can have an updated look and feel which are sure to draw interested buyers’ eyes quickly.

6. Tackle the items on your “to-do” list.

Most homeowners have chores that they’ve been meaning to get to at some point. It seems like the “to-do” lists keep getting longer and longer. You can take care of many of those items while you’re getting your home ready to sell.

Switch out faulty light bulbs and switches. Weed your garden. Replace any loose roof tiles or siding sections. Have your air conditioner and heating systems checked on a regular basis. These may seem like small things, but taking care of them now can save future homeowners significant money and headaches later on.

7. Clean, clean, clean!

Your house should be thoroughly cleaned from top to bottom. Nothing should be skipped. This may seem like a daunting task, but it isn’t anything that you can’t handle. You may want to break it up into more manageable sections.

For example, you might decide to clean the kitchen one day, your bathrooms and bedrooms another day and the exterior of your home the third day.

Allow yourself enough time for cleaning and use non-toxic products that don’t leave any harmful residue or nasty odors behind. You want your home to be as presentable as possible.

8. Plant a few trees.

If you have space and funds, you can plant several trees on your property. Select trees that will last a long time, because they look great and can save on energy costs in the long run. Not only are you making your lawn look nice, but you’re also helping the environment at the same time.

9. Check your indoor air quality.

Allergens are a considerable attribute in several home buyers’ minds. That’s why you might want to think about replacing the rugs and carpets in your house. You could even add hardwood flooring in several rooms if you’d like. Wood, stone, laminate and other flooring products take less time to clean and instantly add more value to the home.

10. Install energy-efficient fixtures.

Everyone’s looking to save money nowadays. One way that you can spend less is by adding energy-efficient fixtures to your house. New lightbulbs, lights and air conditioners look great. They don’t use as much energy as older models and are visually appealing.

11. Add a patio or deck.

You may want to consider adding a patio or deck to your home. If you have the space and resources to do so, it’s a very simple and popular way to add resale value. They are also nice gathering places for get-togethers with family and friends.

12. Insulate your attic.

Take some time to inspect the current insulation in your attic. You may want to add or replace insulation. Insulation will keep out cold drafty air in winter and warm winds in summer. It can also help you save money on energy costs.

13.Replace older windows and doors.

If you’ve noticed that your home feels drafty, there may be an issue with your windows or doors. Check the seals and inspect their condition. It may be time to replace your doors or windows. There are many options to choose from that look great and keep the elements out.

14, Add some outdoor lighting.

Outdoor lighting is a very popular trend for many homes nowadays. It doesn’t take much to add a few outdoor lights to your walkways, deck, fire pit area or patio. They are impressive and usually provide a great return on investment as well.

15. Trim trees.

Any existing trees should have their branches trimmed carefully. Loose, straggling branches can really be an eyesore. It’s best to take care of those items as soon as possible to make them more presentable.

16. Construct a fire pit.

Fire pits are another area where people tend to congregate. You can hold parties and other celebrations in spring, summer and winter centered around your fire pit. They don’t take a lot of time to build and generate a lot of resale value.

17. Install smart technology.

Security cameras, automatic thermostats, fire and carbon monoxide detectors and keypad door locks are a few technology upgrades that you can implement in your house. More and more home buyers are looking for smart technology. They are efficient, appealing and usually use less energy in most instances.

18. Remodel or complete your basement.

If you have a partially or completely unfinished basement, renovating or remodeling that area is a good way to add more living space to your home. You can build bedrooms, living areas or even a home theater if you prefer. The only limits are your resources and your own imagination.

19. Upgrade your kitchen.

You may have kitchen cabinets that are old or outdated. Adding new cabinet handles or replacing the cabinets entirely shouldn’t take long. You can replace your appliances, kitchen countertops, sink and faucets if you want.

Kitchens are one of the most used rooms in a home and can be a primary selling point. That’s why it’s so important to have a kitchen that’s warm and inviting with fixtures and appliances that look great and are expected to last for many years.

20. Inspect your entryway.

The entryway is one of the first things that many potential buyers will see. You should make sure that the area is clean. Replace any old rugs. Make sure that the door is in good working order, and replace any worn or broken furniture.

21. Add recessed lighting.

If you want to give certain rooms more light, you can always add recessed lighting. They can be added to your kitchen, living room, bedrooms and hallways. Most recessed light fixtures can be purchased and installed for around $200 or less.

22. Take care of your outdoor plants.

All plants need a little tender loving care from time to time. Any plants that will be left behind when you move should be taken care of properly. Remove any loose leaves or dead plants as needed. Allow new plants enough space for their roots to spread and grow. A beautiful garden gives buyers one more reason to pursue your property.

23. Wash your sidewalks, driveway and exterior walls.

Spend the better part of a day washing your outdoor walls, doors, windows, sidewalks and driveway. You can buy or rent a power washer to get the job done quickly. This can get rid of dirt, leaves, pine needles and other debris in a matter of minutes. It can also make your home’s exterior much more visually appealing.

These are just some of the many things that you can do to improve the value of your house. Talk to your realtor or an interior designer if you want additional advice or ideas.

Most improvements are very straightforward and shouldn’t take too much time out of your busy schedule. Once these changes are made, you can look forward to hosting open house showings and taking the next step toward getting your home sold.