Easy Ways to Add Value to Your Home

We have said it once and we will say it a thousand times: your home is probably the biggest and most important investment you will make in your lifetime. Like most investments, the old saying, “You have to spend money to make money” is also true for homes. However, there are some cheap home projects that you can tackle that will increase your property’s value without breaking the bank.

Cheap Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value

When we think about increasing the value of a home, we often think of large-scale projects, such as a bathroom remodel or kitchen renovation. While these are certainly ways to increase your home’s value (if undertaken by a legitimate and knowledgeable build/design firm), today we want to look at some simple steps you can take to increase the value and aesthetic appeal of your property.

Probably one of the easiest and cheapest things you can do to add value to your home is actually discover if there is anything urgent that needs to be taken care of. Calling in a home inspector is not just something you do when you are purchasing a home, but a savvy move you can make to uncover any hidden issues your home may have so that you can fix them before they become a major issue. While this may not necessarily add value to your home in a traditional sense, it could prevent your home from losing value — something you should definitely try to avoid.

In addition to bringing in a home inspector, you could also ask a Realtor or home designer to look at your home and offer thoughts on areas where you could improve the value of your house. It usually takes no more than an hour for a simple walkthrough and is relatively cheap.

From an actual work perspective, you would be surprised what a fresh coat of paint — on the interior or exterior — can do for your home. Not only can it lighten the space, but choosing the right color can also make the space seem larger than it actually is.

If you have carpet in your home that is several years old or has seen better days, replacing it could help improve the look of your home and your ability to showcase it. Dingy carpet leaves a bad taste in a buyer’s mouth and makes your home seem dirty and outdated. Keep in mind that it may not be necessary to replace all of the carpet in your house; some rooms may be worse than others. Also, if you cannot afford to rip up your carpet and lay down new flooring, a cheaper option would be to hire a professional carpet cleaning company to remove any stains and freshen your floors up.

Focusing on curb appeal is another inexpensive and somewhat easy way to increase the value of your property and make it easier to sell  should you ever choose to do so. Plus, nothing is worse than pulling into the driveway after a long day of work and seeing a dismal front yard. Planting a few trees and plants, trimming and shaping bushes, and pressure cleaning any walkways or paths are all simple ways to spruce up the outside of your home without spending a lot of money.

Along the same lines, painting your front door or replacing it with a more modern, intricate one can also add curb appeal. Your entryway is the second thing people see when they arrive at your house. Make sure it is warm and welcoming and it will more than pay for itself.