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Your home is one of your biggest financial investments and is likely your largest asset. As with any investment, you want to make sure you get a strong return when it comes time to sell your house. So how do you go about increasing home value so you can make sure you get a healthy profit when you get ready to sell?
There are several projects you can do that will help to raise the sale price of your home. Read on to learn where you should focus your time and money when you’re doing home improvement projects.
Repaint
One of the easiest things you can do to increase home value is to repaint. A fresh coat of paint makes everything look cleaner and brighter and can help hide small imperfections. A nice, neutral color can also draw in potential buyers, who will have an easier time imagining themselves living in the house.
Plan to repaint any bright colors in your home to a neutral shade, such as light gray or a soft beige. This is especially important in small rooms, which can feel bigger with a fresh coat of paint. Don’t forget to repaint the trim while you’re painting – this can make a room feel clean, fresh, and crisp.
Upgrade Finishes
In addition to repainting, you may also want to take a look at upgrading some of the finishes around your home. Although these changes are superficial, they can add a ton of value to your home. Buyers see how gorgeous your house is and they want to make it their home.
If you’re redoing the kitchen or bathrooms (more on that later), opt for natural stone or quartz countertops. Swap out appliances for stainless steel finishes, and change out brass light fixtures and doorknobs for brushed nickel models. It’s also a good idea to change older, yellowed lights for daylight LEDs that will make everything feel brighter.
Focus on Kitchens and Bathrooms
When you’re working on upgrades around your home, it’s a good idea to focus your time (and budget) on the kitchen and bathrooms. These are the areas where people want to feel most pampered and relaxed. The kitchen is where people spend the most time in their home, and the bathroom is where they go for rejuvenation.
If you have a limited budget, spend it on the finishes in your kitchen and bathrooms. We mentioned counters and appliances, but consider swapping out old shower curtains and towels for newer, cleaner designs. Clear off counters, give everything a thorough cleaning, and make sure everything smells nice before you start showing your home.
Go Eco-Friendly
These days, everyone is focused on ways we can take better care of the planet we live on. We’ve started to recognize the impact we have on the environment, and our homes can be one of the biggest sources of our carbon footprints. New buyers want to live in homes that are healthier for both them and Mother Nature.
When you’re upgrading new appliances, make sure to look for ones that are Energy Star-certified as being energy efficient. This is also a good reason to swap your incandescent lightbulbs for LEDs; not only do they look better, but they last longer and use less energy. You may also want to consider upgrading your windows to energy-efficient models or even installing solar panels on the roof.
Improve Curb Appeal
One of the biggest things that will help to sell your house is its curb appeal. We know how important first impressions are, and when potential buyers pull up outside your home, you want them to fall in love at first sight. If your house looks run down or messy outside, it almost won’t matter what the inside looks like.
Start by replacing any siding that’s cracked, worn, or damaged and painting everything to match. Fix any dangling gutters or torn screens, and trim your bushes and trees back. Finish up by cutting and edging your lawn, putting down weed and feed if necessary, and maybe even planting flowers in the front beds.
Finish Extra Spaces
There are few things that will add more value to your home than increasing its square footage. In fact, many homes are priced by the square foot, and as of this June, the average price per square foot for homes in the United State was $184. This means that adding just 100 square feet could get you nearly $20,000 more!
Look for any unfinished spaces around your home and think about ways you can make them useable. This can include finishing out your attic or basement, closing in an unneeded porch area, or even building an addition onto your house. These are major projects, but they can add an immense amount of real estate value.
Discover More Tips for Increasing Home Value
Whether you’re planning to sell your home soon or you’re planning for the future, increasing home value is a good goal. Focus on the details that will grab buyers’ attention – your curb appeal, luxury finishes, and a fresh coat of paint. It’s also a good idea to invest in upgrades that will give you more square footage and make your home more eco-friendly.
If you’d like to discover more tips for increasing your home value, check out the rest of our site at Dean Miller Real Estate. We make Long Island real estate easy for anyone looking to either buy or sell a home. Contact us today and let us help you achieve your home ownership goals, whatever they may be.
