10 Smart Home Improvements That Will Increase the Value of Your Home
When you’re planning to put your home on the market, you obviously need to get it ready so that potential buyers see it in its best shape. Get this: in 2021, 71% of sellers completed at least one improvement project as part of selling their homes. However, some renovations are really worth the time and money, while others are best left undone. Here’s the list of home updates that are sure to add value to your home and attract buyers.
1. Create a favorable first impression
To start off, make sure that the exterior of your home looks good enough to make people want to live in this place. If you’re short of time and money, consider a thorough pressure washing. However, it’s still best to invest in repainting the exterior if you’re interested in adding value to your house. Without a doubt, this improvement will make your home look almost new from the outside.
Another thing that profoundly impacts your potential buyers’ first impression is your front door, so it’s a wise solution to replace or at least paint it. If you decide to replace the door, consider upgrading it with a steel one. It provides energy efficiency and low maintenance that will create additional value to your house.
2. Remodel the kitchen
According to the best real estate agents in Las Vegas NV, the lion’s share of prospective homebuyers are looking for modern, updated kitchens. However, it’s not a secret that kitchen remodeling is likely to consume more costs than any other room. Of course, the more you invest, the more value you’ll add to the entire home.
If you’re on a tight budget, consider making the following improvements to your kitchen:
- replace the backsplash
- refinish the cabinets
- upgrade faucets
- update light fixtures
On the other hand, you can’t go wrong with major kitchen renovations that have more chances to pay off, including:
- installing new cabinets and replacing countertops
- replacing the flooring, doors, and windows
- upgrading to premium appliances
- enhancing dining, seating, storage, or cooking space
3. Invest in a bathroom remodel
Remodeling your bathroom is another project that will increase the resale value of your dwelling, so make sure your bathroom is attractive enough to make people want to live in your home. If you decide to go for minor bathroom remodels, consider the following changes:
- renew the caulk around the bathtub
- replace the vanity unit
- install a new showerhead
- replace the faucets
- replace the mirror and light fixtures
If you don’t mind investing more money, it’s a good idea to get a new tub or refinish your current one and replace the tiles.
4. Paint the walls
The next big step you need to take involves freshening up your walls, especially if they feature scratches and dirty paint. Not to mention, an outdated or faded color isn’t likely to add any value to your house. To boost the overall impression of your home, go for neutral colors, for example, brown, beige, light blue, cream, taupe, gray, or white. They are always on-trend and appeal to a larger pool of potential buyers.
5. Add square footage
It goes without saying that adding square footage to your home is a sure-fire way to boost your home’s value. However, there’s no need to add on. Instead, you can renovate the existing space, such as the basement or attic. For instance, you can turn your attic space into a guest bedroom or home office and convert the basement into a gym or lounge area.
6. Improve your outdoor space
A neat yard is imperative to make buyers fall in love with your place. In addition, yard improvements often boil down to simple, affordable DIY projects. Make sure your lawn is always freshly trimmed and free from dead debris such as sticks and leaves. Don’t forget to trim your hedges, cut back trees, and add 2 to 3 inches of bark mulch around the plants to create a feeling of a well-maintained place. You might also want to complement your outdoor space with a brick patio or a deck to increase the functionality of the space. Finally, power wash the driveway and walkways.
7. Maximize the energy efficiency of your home
Savvy home buyers might want to carefully inspect your house for energy efficiency. So make sure your home doesn’t lack insulation, and there aren’t any drafty windows and doors. This all results in higher energy consumption and, consequently, more significant expenses. To properly prepare your house for such an inspection, start with adding extra insulation to your attic and sealing cracks around doors and windows.
8. Make your home smart
Smart home devices are steadily conquering the real estate world, contributing to home values and creating appeal for potential homebuyers. According to real estate experts, the most wanted home automation systems include smart thermostats, lights, home security systems, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
9. Spruce up the flooring
Many homebuyers pay close attention to flooring, which calls for investing your time (and often money) to improve this aspect of your home. Depending on the condition of the flooring in your house, consider doing these things:
- deep clean wall-to-wall carpets
- buff out or refinish hardwoods
- replace the flooring
Also, make sure you replace or remove worn, faded carpets and rugs. They have nothing to do with creating an attractive look of your home.
10. Upgrade fixtures
Replacing small things like curtain rods, doorknobs, switch plates, and outlet covers is the most affordable way to enhance your home and make it more attractive for prospective customers. Remember to select minimalistic designs that are more likely to appeal to a wider audience.
Final thoughts
All in all, you might find home improvement projects challenging to prioritize and budget for. That is why it’s crucial to carry out those that offer the most benefits. It can be hard to accurately work out how much value these upgrades add to your home, so it’s a good idea to turn to real estate experts at fastexpert.com and receive professional assistance with pricing.