Whether you’re thinking of selling now, or some time in the future, it is a good idea to try to increase the value of your home by carrying out some simple maintenance or making a few easy changes. A lot of people do not realise just how much value they are reducing their home by. If your house isn’t kept in the best condition, or you let it become run down, you might be reducing the value gradually and making it a less appealing option for potential buyers. This becomes even more of an issue when it does become time to sell up.
So, what are some home improvement ideas that can increase the value and make it easier to sell up?
1. Start with the basement
A lot of people treat the basement as storage space, or even neglect it completely. This is not something that we recommend, and one of the simplest ways to increase your home value is to make use of this extra space. Is there a way you can turn it into an office or a workshop? Having a use for a basement helps people to understand the benefits, and if they can move straight in and use the basement for something, such as an office space, it’s likely to increase the demand and price of your home. Fixing up the basement does cost you some money up front, but when you consider the impact it can have on the price, it is usually well worth it.
2. Kitchen is the key
A lot of people see the kitchen as the center of their home. You might have a passion for cooking, or the kitchen could just be the ideal space for entertaining your guests. Keep this in mind when you’re putting your house up for sale. If your kitchen doesn’t look great, it can be really off putting for potential buyers. On top of that, it can be simple to spruce up the kitchen and make it look like somewhere potential buyers would love to spend a lot of time once they move in.
A deep clean, some painting, and even some kitchen cabinet refacing can make your kitchen look as good as new, but not cost you vast sums of money to implement.
3. Inspect it
This isn’t the most fun aspect of trying to sell your home, but it is essential that you carry out a thorough inspection. You might even have to get some professionals in to help you with this. For instance, you might want to check your heating systems are functioning efficiently, and that a HVAC system installed in your home isn’t likely to break in the coming years.
Other inspections include the roof, and whether or not you have a tankless hot water heater can also play a part in the price people are willing to pay for your property.
4. Paint, paint, paint
Some people think that painting seems like a bit of a simplistic or even unnecessary aspect of selling a home. It’s easy to assume that the new owners will want to paint the house anyway, so what is the point in doing so yourself? Actually, buyers would rather this is already done before they move in. Plus, it can be a great way to restore the sheen to your home and make it look more appealing.
5. First impressions matter
You can read pretty much any property magazine or guide to selling your home and they will tell you that first impressions make a huge impact. Once a potential buyer has had a quick glance at your home, they’re likely to have a good idea of whether or not they are interested. It is amazing how quickly the mind works, and there are many studies into the psychology of buying houses which back up the fact that peoples’ first impressions are immensely important.
So, how can you make a good first impression?
- Make sure the exterior of the house is freshly painted and looking good, with no streaking or dirt on the home’s exterior.
- Ensure doors and windows are freshly fitted, clean, and looking good. These can be painted and spruced up if required.
- Think about your landscape design, especially if you have a front yard. A yard in total disrepair or looking scruffy will definitely make potential buyers distracted from the qualities your home does have to offer.
- Look for other improvements that can improve the value of your home as well as provide more comfort and warmth, such as stove fireplaces.
6. Clean and stage it
This is one of the cheapest and simplest things that you can do to increase your chances of getting a good price when selling your home. It’s also something that a lot of people totally disregard. No matter how busy you are, when it comes to making your home look good for potential buyers, make sure it is clean and staged in a way that can appeal to any buyer. This doesn’t just mean making sure that there is no visible grime or mess, it means tidying the house, and making it appear like a space people want to spend time in. If it is full of your own clutter and mess, it’s really hard for a potential buyer to imagine their own life there. Staging the home also means creating a neutral look, and even taking away design aspects that might be divisive or unappealing to some people. Stylebite Staging can help transform your home with professional staging services.
This makes it far easier for people visiting to picture the home as their own.
Author Bio
Owen is a content marketing specialist at Majestic Cabinets. Having several years of experience in the home improvement field, Owen is keen on sharing his knowledge and secrets with others. Doesn’t matter if you’re a homeowner with little to no knowledge in the field or an experienced contractor, you can always learn something new and interesting from his stories. Owen hopes that his articles will give you a bit of insight on home improvement.
