Homeowners love a higher home value, but many don’t know where to start to accomplish this. Here’s a handful of straightforward home improvements anyone can make to ensure their home is more valuable than yesterday. Your home value may change a lot, and the best part is that it’s easier than you think.
1. Deep Clean Your Windows
A little shine on your windows can go a long way. Windows are one of the most overlooked aspects of a home, and most homeowners can count on one hand the number of times they’ve cleaned them (or paid someone else to clean them). Washing your windows improves their appearance, but it also improves visibility and lets all-important sunshine come through to the interior of your home. As any realtor will tell you, the more natural light enters your home, the better.
2. Add More Interior Plants
Adding plants to any part of your home is a recipe for a more attractive (and ultimately, more valuable) space. Regardless of whether or not your plants are technically alive (I, along with many others, prefer the convenience of artificial plants), greenery goes a long way in leveling up a home. Think of all the homes you’ve been in throughout your life. Have you ever thought, “There are too many plants in this house?” Of course, you haven’t. There’s no such thing as too many plants.
3. Remove Out-of-Style Features
Pay attention to design trends and make sure you’re ahead of the curve, not years behind. While barn doors in place of standard doors were all the rage a decade ago, that particular trend loses popularity by the day. Waterbeds were all the rage in the 70s and 80s. But in 2024, many prospective homebuyers turn up their noses at such an outdated aesthetic. To maximize value, your home should mirror what’s popular in the market at any given moment.
4. Finish the Basement
If you’ve been staring at an unfinished basement for years, it’s time to stop putting off completing that particular project. If you don’t, you’re leaving money on the table where your home’s value is concerned. What are you waiting for? Finish the job. Not only can you and your family enjoy another liveable space, but your home’s value will skyrocket. Finished basements (especially if they include a bathroom) will never go out of style.
5. Upgrade Kitchen Hardware
Many homeowners waste thousands of dollars on complete kitchen remodels. I believe simple, thoughtful upgrades throughout the space go a long way. Upgrading cabinet handles, touchpoints, and finishes allows you to create an illusion of a complete kitchen remodel at a fraction of the cost. If you’re debating replacing all cabinets and countertops, consider upgrading individual pieces of hardware instead. You’ll be shocked at how easy and affordable it is.
6. New Kitchen Appliances
Stainless steel appliances are a sign of modern luxury, so if you’re worried your kitchen isn’t up to par, you may want to start with your outdated appliances. Even if they still work, no one enjoys looking at white or black refrigerators, microwaves, and ovens. As an added bonus, newer stainless-steel appliances are far more energy efficient, leading to lowered electricity costs and looking more attractive than older appliances.
7. Increase Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is one of the most essential aspects of assessing a home’s value, so if your home doesn’t look attractive from the street, you’re making a mistake. You should always mow your lawn regularly, replace plants and shrubs as needed, and remove unnecessary items in your yard. Contrary to popular belief, lawn gnomes aren’t classy; they actively hurt your home’s value. The front of your home should be picture-perfect at all times.
8. Declutter
Decluttering is another simple way to increase your home’s perceived value. Always ensure things are in place. Adopting a somewhat minimalist design strategy shows you’re thoughtful about your home’s layout and atmosphere. A tidy house is a valuable house. On paper, the most valuable home in the world can suffer from a disappointing valuation because there’s stuff everywhere. I know it’s tough, but keeping your home decluttered is important.
9. Repaint the Front Door
There are far too many boring front doors scattered throughout the typical neighborhood. With a small bucket of paint, a few hours, and some creativity, you can add a much-welcomed splash of color to your home’s facade by repainting the front door. A bold, bright color that contrasts with the primary color of your exterior can make your curb appeal even higher. After all, who would say no to coming home to a house with an attractive front door?
10. Update Light Fixtures
Increasing your home’s value can be easier than you think, and many homeowners overlook the light fixtures scattered throughout the home. Adding recessed overhead lighting, for example, effectively modernizes your home in a way that floor lamps can’t. Adding dimming features to your new lighting increases your home’s perceived value even more. Don’t be afraid to get creative with new lighting fixtures.
11. Replace or Remove Carpeting
Unfortunately, many homeowners ignore their carpets, preferring to let them erode over time instead of getting ahead of potential problems. Replacing your carpet with luxury vinyl flooring or similar materials can drastically change the interior of your home, leading to increased value. Of course, if you have kids running around, new carpets altogether could be your best option. Ultimately, removing old, dirty carpets is essential the second they show their age.
12. A Fresh Coat of Paint
Sometimes the best course of action is to roll up your sleeves, grab a couple of brushes, and go to work. Painting your home’s interior (and the exterior, if you feel so inclined) is one of the most straightforward ways to increase its value. If you do it yourself, you can save money. Many homeowners believe interior walls should be repainted once every five years.
13. Replace Mulch
According to lawn care experts, you should replace your mulch once every one to five years, depending on how the mulch has deteriorated. Replacing your mulch is beneficial to your outdoor landscaping and gardens, as well as adding to your home’s perceived value. It’s all about the curb appeal. The cost of new mulch every few years is a small price for beauty.
14. Upgrade Showerheads
There’s nothing better than walking into a shower and being greeted by world-class showerheads. These bath fixtures run the gamut from full-on rainfall showerheads to those that massage as they douse you with water. But they all have one thing in common: They’re luxurious and feel amazing when you shower. A home’s showerheads are one of the first things prospective buyers look for in terms of amenities.
15. Clean Thoroughly
We can stand to deep-clean our homes more often than we actually do. One of the most straightforward improvements you can make to increase your home’s value is to clean it thoroughly. I’m talking floors, walls, floorboards, ceilings, fireplaces, mantles, overhead fans, everything. A spotless house will always command a higher value than a worn, dirty home.
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