Whether or not you’re thinking of selling your home soon, there are lots of ways to add value to a home. We all know that a kitchen or bath remodel, knocking out walls, adding a room or finishing a basement can all be big boosters to a home’s sale price.
But it doesn’t take big renovations to get results. There are plenty of relatively simple things you can do to make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
Replace, Repaint, Repair—and Revive
Replace
- Light fixtures. Swap out old fixtures for more modern styles. You can even add lighting with easy solutions like stick-on lights that hide under kitchen cabinets and LED track lighting above.
- Cabinet and drawer handles. This is a super simple, inexpensive update that makes your kitchen more put together.
- Appliances. New appliances are definitely a selling point. In the kitchen, make sure all your appliances match (all stainless steel, for example) or it’s going to look messy and haphazard. The washer and dryer should match, too. And for all new appliances, opt for energy efficient, which can save both you and your homebuyer money in the long run.
- Doorknobs. Quick and easy to switch out, the right doorknobs can make your home feel more modern and elegant.
Repaint
- Walls. Paint the walls of your home in lighter, more neutral colors (and not just walls—kitchen cabinets can be a great site for this too). If you don’t want too much white or it feels too boring through the whole house, try grays or calm blues that add color while staying relatively neutral.
- Front door. An inviting front door helps homebuyers feel instantly more comfortable, so make sure it looks good. Choosing a bright color can draw
- Exterior. Faded, dirty, or peeling paint can really take away from your home’s curb appeal. New paint can transform a home and make it look almost new again.
- Deck. As with all the above elements, you want your home to look beautiful and taken care of. If you have a deck or patio, repaint (or restain) to keep it looking great.
Repair
- Floors. You can fix squeaky floors and broken tiles yourself.
- Leaky pipes or faucets. These definitely need to be fixed before they turn into bigger problems—and turn off potential buyers.
Revive
Give your yard new life with these DIY additions.
- Fire pit. Having an outdoor gathering space is almost like adding a room—only much easier and less expensive.
- Patio furniture. Attractive outdoor furniture gives your patio a luxurious, inviting feel.
- Raised garden beds. Raised beds are not difficult to build, and they can give empty yard space real purpose.
- A path. Make your yard a place that invites wandering and exploration. You can use mulch, stone, even brick to create a path through your garden.
- Evergreens. Evergreens are an easy-to-maintain, beautiful-all-year addition to landscaping. (Speaking of greens, make sure you trim hedges, shrubs, and small trees so they don’t look overgrown or unkempt.)
Use these tips to add resale value without breaking the bank—or your back.
