If you’re lucky enough to own a house of your own, there are plenty of reasons to invest in home improvement projects from time to time. Not only does upgrading your home occasionally make it a more pleasing and comfortable place to live in, but it also increases your home’s property value over time. And if the time ever comes that you want or need to sell your house and move somewhere new, a home that’s in good shape and well-outfitted with plenty of modern conveniences will net you the best possible price.
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Of course, reselling your house at the highest possible value is no easy feat. There’s a lot to plan for, including which home improvement projects will deliver the best return on investment and which real estate brokerages you can trust to get the job done. In the latter case, you’ll want to work with a firm that’s up-to-date on industry best practices and real estate software.
These modern firms will have the tools and knowledge necessary to work the real estate market in your favor. And if you’re curious about the tech infrastructure such businesses run on, you can go here for a helpful article on the subject.
As for what home improvement projects you should pursue, you’ll be relieved to know that there are plenty of things you can do to refresh your living space without breaking the bank. This list explores five affordable but value-adding ways you can enhance your house, particularly if you’re looking to resell it in the future:
Cost-Effective Home Improvement Projects That Can Increase Property Value
Organize Your House
Whether you’ve lived in your house for two years or for twenty, you’ll find that random bits and bobs can accumulate all around your living space without anyone realizing it. And while completely reorganizing your home can feel like an overwhelming task, inhabiting a chaotic, disorderly space isn’t a pleasant experience. Clean and organized spaces are much better for their occupants’ mood, concentration, and even productivity, so it’s worth setting aside a day or two for large-scale decluttering.
Removing clutter from your home becomes especially important if you’re actively looking to resell. A messy house will inevitably look smaller and less appealing to prospective buyers. In contrast, an organized home will appear larger, more open, and more manageable.
If you end up needing some help with your decluttering efforts, there’s no shame in calling in a professional organizer to speed up the process. The money you spend on their services will surely be worth it when it leaves you with a house you feel good about showing to potential buyers. Hiring a pro can also help you get your belongings organized in preparation for a big move.
Repaint the Rooms
Repainting is one of the most popular DIY home upgrades among homeowners, and for good reason. A fresh coat of paint can give new life to formerly dull, washed-out rooms. It can cover up old decorating foibles and wall imperfections instantly. Best of all, it’s usually quite manageable in terms of the time, energy, and resources you have to invest.
Homeowners looking to sell their houses should note that a fresh coat of paint will deliver 100 percent ROI and can increase resale value by as much as 5 percent. It’s especially advisable to cover up bold and vibrant walls with neutral colors. Unobtrusive, crowd-pleasing shades like light grey, cream, or white tend to be safer picks in homes for sale. Where bright colors can be unnecessarily distracting, neutrals act as a blank canvas that allows a potential buyer to better imagine how they might decorate and furnish the space.
Upgrade the Lights
Good lighting can instantly transform the mood within a house—and, by extension, up its value considerably. Try swapping out dated-looking lights or ones that aren’t functioning optimally anymore with more modern fixtures. Installing dimmer switches is another great way to get more control over the atmosphere in each room and show off your home’s best features.
Install a New Dishwasher
Old dishwashers can send electric and water bills through the roof, which is a major no-no for eco-conscious homeowners. Consider investing in a more energy-efficient dishwasher to cut your power and water consumption by a large margin. What’s more, you can probably install a new dishwasher yourself in just a day, so you won’t have to worry about spending more money on plumbers and electricians. You’ll get to enjoy clean dishes stress-free, and your home’s future buyers will probably also thank you for it.
Invest in Your Backyard
Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people looking to buy new homes have placed an extreme premium on the amount of functional space within the property. Home shoppers today want houses with lots of usable outdoor and indoor space, so investigate ways you might turn your yard into a more livable part of your home. Simply illuminating your yard with some garden lights or path lights can already lead to a significant boost in resale value. If you have an unused porch, deck, or patio and more resources to invest, restoring and furnishing that area comfortably might also deliver an impressive ROI.
The above projects are some of the best ways to improve your home and get the best bang for your buck in the process. Accomplishing at least a few of them will help you resell your home at a competitive price when you’re finally ready to put it back on the market.
Until next time,
Ann Bromley
Is a bathroom reno worth it to improve the value of your home?
Nikki
Yes it is 🙂