Increase Your Home’s Value and Buyer Appeal With 6 Easy Improvements

Most homeowners undertake repairs or enhancements to keep their dwellings in good shape. If you plan on selling your home in the future, you’ll want to make changes to maintain or increase your home’s value. Here are six upgrades appealing to homebuyers and your budget.

1. Improve Curb Appeal

Exterior features and upgrades are eye-catching and desirable to home seekers. With small investments, elbow grease, and some dedicated weekends, you could add landscaping or comfortable outdoor living spaces to your property. A good place to start is fixing up the entryway by replacing the front door. Choosing a bright, primary color for a new door may enhance a formerly blah area. If you have a spacious front porch, add some welcoming wicker seating with cushions or a charming porch swing.

In your backyard, you can update your existing patio or deck or create new spaces for outdoor gatherings and relaxation. If you already have a paved patio, build a fire pit or add a chiminea for summer evening gatherings. Do you want to add shade to seating areas? Consider an awning or challenge your DIY skills by purchasing a pergola hardware kit. With lanterns or other exterior lighting, you have an inviting backyard retreat.

Any landscape upgrade adds value to your property. The National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Landscape Professionals suggest a commercial landscaping make-over package for about $6,000. It may include flowering shrubs, mulch and a paved walkway. To economize, you can develop landscaping features on your own, and amp up your lawn care regimen to rejuvenate your yard.

2. Add Living Space

If you plan to sell your home, adding finished living space can increase value and homebuyer interest. Building out unfinished living space, for example, a basement, is a common way to expand square footage. To appeal to potential buyers, realtors suggest opening up living and dining spaces as much as possible. Removing walls or rearranging furniture are practical ways to create a desirable open floor plan.

3. Upgrade Kitchen and Baths

Improvements in your kitchen and bathrooms are worth the expense. You don’t have to splurge on an entirely new set of appliances or cabinets. Instead, apply light-colored paint to walls and cabinets. Replace handles and sink fixtures with matching hardware. If you do want to replace kitchen appliances, choose stainless steel for its durability and elegant appearance. Homebuyers tend to prefer stainless steel over other finishes.

4. Install Energy-Saving Features

Save money on your utility bills by installing energy star-certified appliances and/or windows. If your budget is modest, focus on reducing heat loss by adding insulation, repairing windows and adding specialty blinds or shades. Solar panels or a brand new furnace are heftier investments, but you might see substantial energy savings using a self-programmable smart thermostat. Another easy energy-saver is switching all light bulbs to LED.

5. Choose Updated, In-Demand Finishes

Homeowners could break the bank trying to incorporate every design and remodel trend in their homes. If you can afford high-end upgrades, consider adding granite countertops and/or marble flooring. For wood flooring, engineered hardwood is popular. It is a better option than traditional hardwood because of its durability and easier maintenance. Another reasonably priced upgrade is light fixtures. Changes in lighting can reflect your style and refresh areas in your home.

6. Roll on a Fresh Coat of Paint

When selling your home, you’ll be expected to make cosmetic repairs to improve and enhance its appearance. An interior area instantly brightened with fresh paint is a low-cost, quick home improvement. Realtors recommend sticking to neutral colors in living areas, and pale blue in bathrooms.

Implementing any or all of these home improvements to see a return on your investment. You’ll enjoy the comfort and look of your updated space, and future buyers will be eager to settle on a move-in ready home