Simple ways to improve the value of your home

One of the biggest misconceptions about the home buying process is not understanding that a house isn’t just the place someone lives, It’s one the biggest investments in life. When a house is purchased, not only should the home owner take care of home, they should also seek to increase the value of the property. Unfortunately, with today’s economic climate, not a lot of people can afford major upgrades like new hardwood flooring or a brand new kitchen. With that in mind, here are some cheaper, smaller ways you can boost the value of your home!

• The Kitchen
  • One of the biggest focal points of a house is the kitchen. It’s sometimes called “the heart of the home”. The only issue is everything inside the kitchen is expensive to replace. If affording new cabinets or appliances is out of budget, that’s ok! There are still numerous ways to increase the value of the kitchen. For instance, replacing the pulls and knobs (silver or black is always a good choice) on cabinets is a simple process that can add flair the kitchen. Giving cabinets a fresh coat of neutral colored paint can make them look brand new as well! Also, getting a new sink faucet is an inexpensive option. Putting a small rug in front of the sink is a simple touch of class. There are plenty of other ways as well, but these are some of the simpler ways to increase the value of the kitchen.
• The Bathroom
  • Like the kitchen, the bathroom is a key selling point in most homes. If a complete bathroom makeover is out of budget, there are still other ways to add value in the throne room. Replacing little fixtures and faucets are a way to add value. A fresh coat of paint, new towels, a new shower curtain, and even decorative soap are easy ways to increase value. Honestly though, the biggest way to improve the bathroom is a little elbow grease. A dirty or unclean bathroom is a complete eye sore, so making the tile shine is definitely the way to go!
• The Stuff
  • Believe it or not, less is more. In other words, get rid of the clutter! If the house is filled with endless family pictures and nick-nacks, it takes the potential buyers focus away from the house itself. The less cluttered a room is, the easier it is for the buyer to see themselves living in that space. It also creates the illusion of the space being bigger than it is. So take some time and figure what is necessary to stay in the home. Organize the desk, straighten up some bookshelves, and put away the kids toys. It will make the potential home buyer more comfortable when checking out the house.
• The Outside
  • Landscaping is so underrated. A freshly manicured lawn is one of the first things a potential home buyer will see when walking up to the property. Not only that, potted flowers, newly planted shrubbery, and clean walkway makes a huge difference. Make sure to water lawn and flowers daily so they don’t die either!! This is also seasonally challenging. Raking up the leaves in the fall, shoveling the snow off the walkway, and salting the sidewalk in the winter can show that the homeowner really cares about their home, and simultaneously add value.

These are some very simple ways to quickly increase the value of a home. Keep in mind, these are good things to do when selling a home, but doing these things in general will brighten the overall vibe of a house. Who doesn’t want to live in a nice place? So be a good homeowner, and start updating and improving the state of the home.