Home Improvement Projects That Increase the Value and Appeal of

Home Improvement Projects That Increase the Value and Appeal of Your Home

If you are considering putting your home up for sale, you may be wondering what kinds of improvements you can make that will make a big impression on potential buyers while potentially boosting the value of your property. Here are some ways to enhance your home’s appeal.

1. Update your kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of any home, so buyers pay lots of attention to the condition of the kitchen while shopping for a home. Worn flooring, nicked countertops, ancient appliances and cabinets that have seen better days all affect the appeal of your kitchen. If a full renovation isn’t in your budget, consider replacing the flooring, cabinet hardware, and sink fixtures, and refinishing or painting the cabinets. This may not enhance your home’s value to the extent of a full remodeling, but it will certainly make a better impression on potential buyers.

2. Give bathrooms a face lift. Potential buyers focus lots of attention on these small but important rooms, too. Like the kitchen, a full renovation is best. If you cannot fully renovate, consider replacing the flooring and the caulk around the tub, toilet, shower and other fixtures. Repair and paint the walls, as well. If the grout in the tub or shower has seen better days, you may need to regrout these areas, as well.

3. Paint, fix or replace your home’s siding. Because your siding covers so much of your home, it’s one of the first things upon which potential buyers will judge your home. If the siding has extensive cracks or has become brittle and fragile with time, you should probably replace it altogether. On the other hand, siding with discolorations or other blemishes can probably be salvaged with minor repairs and a fresh coat of paint.

4. Improve the landscaping around your home. If you have mulch or rock beds, especially colored varieties, refresh the beds with a new layer when the color fades or the current layer looks thin or sparse. Trim and prune plants to their ideal heights, and consider adding some lively annuals to beds or containers for a splash of color. Plants and landscaping generally add little value to your property, but they are important, because they frame your home and add curb appeal.

5. Create an appealing outdoor living area. Decks, patios, outdoor kitchens, and built-in fire pits are great ways to enhance your backyard. Perfect for entertaining or simply enjoying mild evenings outdoors, these living spaces can add value to your home. Showcase the space’s potential to prospective buyers by replacing cushions, umbrellas and throw pillows that have become faded or worn. Stain and coat your deck, and have cracks in your patio sealed.

6. Don’t underestimate the power of paint. While painting the walls does little for the value of your home, it can be a powerful tool for drawing the eye through your space, enhancing natural light, and making spaces look appealing. The old wisdom about using only neutral colors doesn’t really apply anymore. While it is true that you should stay away from extremely bold paint colors, you should choose shades that complement your home’s design and enhance the furnishings that will remain in the space during showings.

Giving your home a face-lift before you sell it is a great idea. While not all of these ideas add value to your home, they do help potential buyers to form a positive impression of your space, which is absolutely crucial when you want to sell.