Add Value To Your Home With These 9 DIY Improvements
Whether you’re prepping your house to go on the market or looking for ways to maximize its long-term appreciation, these nine home improvement projects are great ways to add function, beauty, and real value to your home. Most of these renovations can be completed over the course of a weekend and they don’t require a lot of specialized skills or experience. So grab your toolbox, then get ready to boost your home’s appeal AND investment potential!
- Spruce Up Your Landscaping
Landscaping improvements can increase a home’s value by 10-12%.1 But which outdoor features do buyers care about most? According to a survey of Realtors, a healthy lawn is at the top of their list. If your lawn is lacking, overseeding or laying new sod can be a worthwhile investment—with an expected return of 417% and 143% respectively.1
- Clean The Exterior
When it comes to making your house shine, a sparkling facade can be just as important as a clean interior. Real estate professionals estimate that washing the outside of a house can add as much as $15,000 to its sales price.3 This can be done with a pressure washer rented from your local home improvement shop.
- Add A Fresh Coat Of Paint
New paint can have a big impact on both the appearance and value of a property. In fact, it’s one of the most effective ways to revitalize a home’s exterior, update its interior, and make it appear larger and brighter.
To get the maximum return at resale, stick with a modern but neutral color palette that will appeal to a broad range of buyers. According to a recent survey of home design experts, cool neutrals are a safe bet when it comes to interior paint. And respondents chose white and gray as the best exterior paint colors to use when selling a home.4
- Install Smart Home Technology
In a recent survey, 78% of real estate professionals said their buyer clients were willing to pay more for a home with smart technology features.5 The most requested smart devices? Thermostats (77%), smoke detectors (75%), home security cameras (66%), and locks (63%).6
The good news is, many of these gadgets are fairly easy to install. And some of them, including smart thermostats and light bulbs, will pay for themselves over time by making your home more energy efficient. In fact, many manufacturers report that smart thermostats can cut back on heating and cooling costs by 10-20%.7
- Modernize Your Window Treatments
Smart—or motorized—blinds are also growing in popularity, and several manufacturers make models you can order and install on your own. But they’re not the only way to modernize your window treatments.
If you have old aluminum blinds, consider replacing them with plantation shutters, which are energy efficient, durable, and have strong buyer appeal.8 Roman and roller shades are another stylish alternative, and they come in a variety of colors and fabrics, which you can personalize to meet your design and privacy preferences.
- Replace Outdated Fixtures
Drastically transform the look and feel of your home by swapping out dingy and dated fixtures for contemporary alternatives. Start by assessing your current light fixtures, faucets, cabinet hardware, door knobs, and even switch plates. Then prioritize replacing those that are particularly outdated or in highly-visible areas, such as your entryway or kitchen.
- Upgrade Your Bathroom Mirror
A minor bathroom remodel offers one of the best returns on investment, with a $1.71 increase in home value for every $1 you spend.10 We’ve already explored several improvements you can make to your bathroom: new paint, fixtures, and hardware. Now complete the look by upgrading your vanity’s mirror. If you prefer to keep your existing mirror, you can paint the frame—or add one if it’s currently frameless.
- Shampoo Your Carpet
Carpet is notorious for trapping dust, dirt, and allergens. It’s one of the reasons that most buyers prefer hard surface flooring.12 But if you love your carpet, or you’re not ready to invest in an alternative, make an effort to keep it clean and odor-free.
- Customize Your Closet
Real estate professionals estimate that a closet remodel can add $2500 to a home’s selling price. And while a professional renovation can cost upwards of $6000, there are many high-quality DIY closet systems you can customize and install yourself.15
Sources:
- HomeLight –
https://www.homelight.com/blog/improve-curb-appeal-landscaping/ - National Association of Realtors –
https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/landscape-renovations-that-pay-off/ - com – https://www.houselogic.com/save-money-add-value/add-value-to-your-home/adding-curb-appeal-value-to-home/
- Fixr –
https://www.fixr.com/blog/2020/01/14/paint-color-trends-in-2020/ - T3 Sixty –
https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/CES2018-Smart-Homes-An-Emerging-Real-Estate-Opportunity.pdf - Consumer Reports –
https://www.consumerreports.org/smart-home/smart-home-tech-upgrades-to-help-sell-your-house/ - American Council for Energy Efficient Economy
https://www.aceee.org/sites/default/files/publications/researchreports/a1801.pdf - Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/sites/trulia/2016/07/05/10-upgrades-under-1000-that-increase-home-values-2/#47b0d3162e60
- Insider –
https://www.insider.com/home-design-rules-you-should-be-breaking-2020-1 - Zillow –
https://www.zillow.com/sellers-guide/roi-for-bathroom-remodel/ - Lowes –
https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/remove-a-bathroom-mirror - HomeLight –
https://www.homelight.com/blog/what-flooring-increases-home-value/ - Angie’s List –
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-often-should-i-clean-my-carpets.htm - HomeLight –
https://www.homelight.com/blog/projects-that-increase-home-value/ - National Association of Realtors – https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/remodeling-impact
- EasyClosets –
https://www.easyclosets.com/tips-ideas/2016/10/02/how-to-plan-your-walk-in-closet/
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