The real estate market is competitive and ever-changing. Therefore, it is vital to ensure the home you are selling measures up to its potential. After all, you’ll want to get the most money out of the value of your home. In some cases, you may need to do major renovations to get a good return on investment.
While there are more involved projects to up your property’s price, there are several cheap ways to increase home value. Read on to learn about some of the easiest steps you can take to freshen up your property when getting a house ready to sell.
Fresh Licks of Paint
A paint job is a simple and cheap way to freshen up your home without requiring an extensive remodel. All you’ll need to revitalize your property is some paint, brushes, rollers, paint trays, painter’s tape, and a tarp.
Understanding paint color is vital when decorating your home. You do not want something too ostentatious, but you still want it to be bright and not boring. The idea is to give just enough personality that you grab a potential buyer’s attention while leaving space for them to see themselves living in the property.
Stick to neutral colors with a bit of flair. Light grays or beiges are reliable options, but you can always add a pop of color by adding a subtle green wall in the living room. Brighter colors are usually a good call as they can lighten up a space while having broad appeal.
When choosing a color, it’s a good idea to consider any finishes, such as doors, trim, and appliances. Talk to your real estate agent and check online to see if there are trends you might want to emulate or avoid.
Before you start painting, you’ll want to tape up everything. Your results will be much neater, and you won’t have to deal with a big clean-up in the long run. In addition, consult with your local hardwood store to see if you need a primer to pair with your paint.
Your fresh coat of paint does not need to be limited to the walls. Other surfaces, such as doors, a garage door, cabinets, ceilings, the outside of the house, and trim could also benefit from a DIY spruce up.
Make Sure That Light Is Bright
Lighting is an often overlooked aspect of interior design. The right light can evoke a pleasant mood, while the wrong choice can make a space feel unfriendly and dark or overwhelming and fluorescent. A good balance is essential to boosting your home’s value. It can be as simple as replacing old light sources and ensuring windows are clean and in good condition.
Some older light fixtures can add personality to your space. However, they must be in working order and be consistent with the overall look of your property. If a fixture is outdated, broken, or not energy efficient, it might be best to replace them to impress future homeowners.
Choosing the right light bulbs may seem finicky, but you will be surprised at the big difference they can make. Look at light bulbs with a balanced 60 Watts. They should all be the same in each room, and you should ensure no light bulb sockets are empty.
Make Cosmetic Repairs
Your home will need to look its best if you want to maximize its value. Thankfully, a few simple aesthetic improvements can go a long way towards giving it a healthy boost.
There are likely small adjustments throughout your home that you could consider. Cosmetic repairs can have some of the lowest average costs for a high return on investment. Here are some cosmetic repairs that won’t break the bank when selling a property.
Start With Cleaning
Before you think about things like how to determine the true value of your house, you’ll need to first get your property cleaned.
Start with a deep cleaning and decluttering. Doing so will make your space more appealing to prospective buyers while making it easier to identify any parts of your home in need of cosmetic repairs.
Once you’re done with the inside, you’ll want to turn your attention to your home’s exterior. Check if any areas need power washing and if you have any weeds or other unsightly growth in your yard.
Care for Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are often a big selling point for many homebuyers. So, caring for them is a great way to bump up your resale value without breaking the bank. Of course, it’s easier said than done given this type of flooring is prone to getting damaged or developing noticeable scuff marks. With that in mind, you’ll want to clean your wood floors and refinish them before selling.
Replace Faucets and Showerheads
Many new homeowners pay attention to the little things, like fresh faucets and showerheads. These improvements might seem unimportant, but they will add a bit of extra shine to make your property feel cleaner and up to date. Moreover, replacing your faucet and showerhead is the perfect time to see if there are any drainage or plumbing issues.
Check Doorknobs
Doorknobs are easy to overlook, but these little items get a ton of use and can get worn out over time. Take a few moments to ensure all your doorknobs are tight and replace any in disrepair. You should also keep an eye out for any broken locks in your home.
Consider Countertops
Replacing your countertops is not the cheapest item on this list. However, it is recommended to do so if your existing countertop is broken or dated. You do not need to go for the most expensive option, with laminate being a popular budget choice.
Look at Backsplashes
Check the backsplash in your kitchen and bathroom. If it’s in disrepair or old, it may be a good idea to replace or repair it.
Fix or Add Crown Molding
Using cheap wooden pieces and some paint can inject some personality into a room without needing a complete home makeover. If your home has existing crown molding, be on the lookout for damage, like cracks.
Kitchen Cabinets
Replacing your kitchen cabinets can have a transformative effect on your home’s appearance. However, this step can be on the pricier end of cheap ways to increase home value. Depending on your type of cabinets, you could also paint them as a less-involved approach to freshen up the kitchen.
Grout
A little grout can go a long way towards freshening up a space without resorting to a full bathroom or kitchen remodel. Touch up any spotty-looking grout in your tile. If you are not confident in your DIY grouting abilities, you may want to hire a professional.
Caulk
Like grout, caulk can deliver impressive home improvement results with relatively minimal effort. Re-caulk around your tubs or other areas with water to get a more polished and fresh look. Before picking up the caulk gun, ensure you use the correct caulk for your space since some varieties do not work in all conditions.
Make Redundant Space Appealing
No matter what kind of square footage you are working with, it’s a good idea to stage your home to maximize what’s available to you. After all, many prospective buyers consider spaciousness when purchasing a home.
Stage seemingly redundant spaces to suggest how a potential buyer could use them. Talk to your real estate agent to see if they have any recommendations.
Storage
Too much storage is rarely a problem. So, look to convert an extra room or an attic into storage space. Any storage space should be functional in appearance and free of clutter, with furniture and decorations kept to a minimum.
Home Office
Home offices are increasingly sought after as a living space for remote work. If you have an extra room or a large closet, stage an office space. A small desk, a bulletin board, and an office chair will accomplish a lot. If you need to source staging items, look at resale shops.
Pet Space
For many people, pets are a central part of their homes, and homeowners often dedicate a space to their beloved furry friends. With that in mind, consider converting an extra closet into a simple yet cute representation of a pet’s room. While it was once a convention for homeowners to hide evidence of a dog or cat, many millennials prioritize their pets when buying homes.
Reading Nook
Nooks and crannies are often found in older homes. They might not have an obvious use, but they could be transformed into a charming reading nook if there is enough space. Set a comfy chair and you’ll have the ideal spot for a book-loving potential homeowner.
Hobby Room
Give an unused space a purpose by turning it into a hobby room. Even a small closet could be repurposed as a little craft nook or board game library. Many new homebuyers actively look for extra space, so a versatile den may help boost your home’s value.
Make Your Garden Aesthetically Pleasing
Whether you have a large or small yard, you could increase your home value by investing in landscaping. You do not need to create a perfect garden, though a few pretty, low-maintenance plants can be beneficial for curb appeal. The priority is to keep everything trim, orderly, and intentional. In that context, your clippers and mower are your new best friend.
Prioritize Curb Appeal
First impressions make a big impact on homebuyers. So, it is vital to put some extra effort into how the outside of your house looks, including the garden. If you need to choose where you allocate your money, start with the front of your property.
As a first step, give your front door and porch a fresh coat of paint. Ensure any pots are in good order and get weeds under control. When trying to sell a house fast in Wisconsin, you’ll want to keep your exterior neutral by steering clear of anything overly seasonal.
Low-Maintenance Plants
- Echinacea comes in several beautiful varieties, attracts pollinators, and requires very little care.
- Black-Eyed Susan is another colorful plant that thrives in several zones with little intervention.
- Hostas also come in many shapes and sizes, and varieties work well in zones two through ten.
- Lamb’s ear is not only an easy plant but a unique-looking addition to the garden.
- Catmint is resistant to many pests, smells amazing, and can grow quite large.
- Clematis is a beautiful choice if you want a climbing plant with lots of colors. Make sure the plant doesn’t climb your home since that can damage brick and siding.
Mulch Is Your New Best Friend
While plants make up the bulk of most gardens, mulch is an understated way to add polish, reduce weeds, and frame your garden to boost home value. There are several types of much you can use depending on your needs.
Decor
While a garden is a great place to add a bit of personality, it’s best to be as neutral as possible so your property has the broadest appeal. However, a few artistic touches can be a fun move.
For instance, one or two discrete ornaments could give your yard a peaceful quality. Be sure to avoid anything imposing or overly large as you want to emphasize space and let potential owners imagine a yard as their own.
Final Thoughts
You do not need to drastically renovate your whole house to improve your home’s value. There are plenty of simple home improvement projects that can boost your home equity and impress prospective buyers.
Some of the most effective cheap ways to increase home value include repainting, making small repairs, and giving your garden a little TLC. Your DIY efforts could have your property looking like a brand new home. When you are ready to sell, look for somewhere that says “we buy houses New Berlin” or “cash home buyers in Milwaukee” to find our team of experts to help you every step of the way.
