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5 Simple Ways to Increase Your Home's Value

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Education & Training with Property Investment Wise

It's very easy to see why improving your home is a great idea if you're going to list your house for sale soon or if your house is already on the market. Adding value means that buyers are more likely to be attracted to the house, and you're more likely to sell at a better price. 

But adding value to your home is a wise move even if you aren't planning on selling your place in the near future. By getting the work done now, you'll make it easier for yourself later -- and you'll also get to enjoy the benefits yourself while you live in the home. 

Wondering how to add value to your house? There are many different options, and a lot simply depends on where you live and what type of house you own. However, there are some tried-and-true ways used all the time to improve house prices. 

 


Start With the Cosmetics 
Before you start knocking out walls or planning major renovations, plan to make simple but striking cosmetic changes. Increase your home's curb appeal by making sure the lawn is tidied. Add a small flower garden, tidy any sidewalks, and clean off the porch. If the paint on your garage, porch or house looks old or discolored, add a fresh new coat. 

Once you've finished prettying up the outside of your home, head inside to see what can easily be improved there. A fresh coat of paint can totally change the look of a room, making it seem much larger and lighter. 

Another important aspect is to clean and declutter your home. Cleaning up unsightly elements of your house makes it more pleasing to potential buyers, and it will make it easier for them to imagine how the house would look with their own possessions inside. Follow this step first and you may find that some more expensive renovations aren't needed at all. 



Update Your Kitchen 
The kitchen is one of the biggest selling points in your home, so improving it can give you a great return-on-investment. An updated kitchen is very attractive to potential buyers, and can definitely help you sell your home. 

While some kitchens might benefit greatly from a total renovation involving a changed layout, new cabinets, or a new counter top, not all kitchens need this much work. Most kitchens will get a huge face lift with the simple act of updating old appliances. 

New, modern, and coordinating refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers will look better cosmetically, and will help your kitchen look up-to-date. Besides that, new appliances will help buyers feel more confident that everything is in working order, which means that they won't have to worry about expensive repairs or hassle. 


Improve the Garage 
Your garage is a huge selling point to potential buyers. Besides being a place to store their car, it gives them storage for other important items (such as lawnmowers and tools) and adds square footage to your home. 

While a simple cleaning and reorganizing of your garage is a great way to help make it more attractive, adding a new garage door can also be important. If you have an old or non-automatic door, updating is going to be especially important. 

By installing automatic roller doors or stramit roller doors in your garage, you'll definitely attract more buyers and help them see the potential in your home. 

 


Make Your Bathroom Look New 
Let's face it: no one wants to use a bathroom which looks old or dirty. When you freshen up your bathrooms, you'll go a long way in adding value to your home. Replacing old or outdated sinks and toilets can make the room look much better. If you have dirty grout or chipped tiles, get them replaced and make sure the room looks and smells fresh. 


Finish the Basement 
Many families move because they need more room to grow. Some are working from home, and need office space. Some simply need space for their hobbies and interests. Other families are looking for space for their kids to grow. Whatever the case may be, the simple fact remains the same: they want a house with extra room. 

Having an unfinished basement in your home means that you have a ton of untapped potential right underneath your feet. Making it into livable space means that you add a ton of square footage to your home, which automatically improves the value and makes your home more appealing to those buyers who need more space.

Posted by

Joe McCord works at REAA.

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