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10 Budget-Friendly Ways To Boost The Value Of Your Home

Sellers can get the most bang for their redo by focusing on projects that offer a good return
PUBLISHED JAN 5, 2024
A "For Sale" property | Getty Images | Photo by Tim Boyle
A "For Sale" property | Getty Images | Photo by Tim Boyle

The road to selling a home can be painful if your property is undervalued

 Representative image of a real estate sign | Getty Images | Photo by Lisa Maree Williams
Representative image of a real estate sign | Getty Images | Photo by Lisa Maree Williams

Making improvements to a property can boost its value. If done smartly, homeowners can increase their listing multi-fold without spending much. Most renovations and remodels are expensive in these inflationary times. However, sellers can get the most bang for their redo by focusing on projects that offer a good return on investment. From making small adjustments inside the home to improving the aesthetics, many cost-effective upgrades can help. Here are 10 projects that can increase the value of a home without hurting the owner’s bank.

1. Deep cleaning

Representative image of workmen pressure-washing stonework | Getty Images | Photo by Oli Scarff
Representative image of workmen pressure-washing stonework | Getty Images | Photo by Oli Scarff

Deep cleaning a home involves removing dust from every surface, cleaning carpets, floors, curbs, pressure washing driveways, mopping, and vacuuming. Further, the kitchen and the bathroom should be squeaky clean as well. This is a great project that won’t cost much but enhances the appearance of the property by a lot, thus making it more appealing to buyers. An odor-free, stain-free, dirt-free, clog-free, pest-free, and moss-free home’s price can be easier to mark up too.

2. Create more space

Representative image | Pexels | Photo by Curtis Adams
Representative image | Pexels | Photo by Curtis Adams

Adding more usable space to an existing home can also increase the value of the property by far. This works especially in areas where acreage is limited, thus enhancing the home’s worth. The primary criterion for valuing homes is the liveable square footage they offer. Thus, adding a bathroom, a store room, or another needed space can increase the function of the property and add more value. Most homes have unused spaces which can easily be converted into guest rooms.

3. Cut Energy Costs

Representative image | Pexels | Photo by Pedro Jackson
Representative image | Pexels | Photo by Pedro Jackson

Making a home more energy efficient can be a great USP to up the value. Several projects can lower utility bills and offer a good value to homeowners. A good start would be installing a smart thermostat to improve efficiency by controlling climate on the go and monitoring energy spend. Further, other smaller projects like replacing leaky windows, improving insulation, and adding heating elements can also help reduce energy costs. All of these provide a strong selling point and highlight the home’s overall comfort, functionality, and cost-effectiveness.

4. Paint

Representative Image | Pexels | Photo by Blue Bird
Representative Image | Pexels | Photo by Blue Bird

Painting the home efficiently and choosing smart colors can have a great impact on the home’s value. As per experts, people should avoid using off-putting, vibrant or busy colors to play safe and attract more buyers. Further using a neutral color palette for painting the interior of the home is a cost-effective investment that results in increased home value. Also, the higher curb appeal can attract more buyers making it easier and faster to sell. Hiring a professional painting company can be a great idea as well.

5. Revamp exterior doors

Representative Image | Pexels | Photo by Binyamin Mellish
Representative Image | Pexels | Photo by Binyamin Mellish

Another way to boost the property’s appeal is to replace an old front door or a rusty garage door. Homeowners may not realize this, but an advanced, secure, and conditioned front door can go a long way to increase a property’s value and appeal. As per a Bankrate report, these investments yield almost a guaranteed return while selling, since the front of the home is the first thing the prospective buyers will see.

6. Upgrade the kitchen

Representative Image | Pexels | Photo by Max Rahubovskiy
Representative Image | Pexels | Photo by Max Rahubovskiy

In the modern world, the kitchen has evolved into a multifunctional space, and it serves as the heart of the household. A lot of time in the kitchen these days, not just for preparing meals but for spending time with family and friends and making memories. Simple budget-friendly upgrades like repainting cabinets, adding a backsplash, and replacing the sink can increase the appeal of the kitchen by a lot. Further, homeowners can install low-energy, and water-efficient equipment to add to the USP.

7. Improve the Air Quality

Image Source: Photo by Craig Adderley | Pexels
Image Source: Photo by Craig Adderley | Pexels

Another USP to add to the home is great indoor air quality. It can have a great impact on the ease of sale and the value of the property. There are many ways in which the air quality can be improved. By replacing old carpets, a lot of dust, allergens, and contaminants can be removed from the indoors. Hiring a professional to identify the trouble elements is always a good idea. Further products like tiles or laminate floors can be a great replacement for carpets as they are much easier to clean, and they don’t hold odor.

8. Add a stone veneer

Representative image | Pexels | Photo by ShonEjai
Representative image | Pexels | Photo by ShonEjai

A manufactured stone veneer can be a great cost-effective measure to improve the home’s aesthetic appeal and enhance its market value. A stone can seamlessly complement various house styles, adding a touch of luxury to the overall appearance. It can be a compelling selling point, helping a quicker sale and potentially fetching a higher price. There are several timeless and versatile options available that are also durable. This relatively simple upgrade can yield significant returns, and attract more buyers.

9. Declutter the home

Representative Image | Pexels | Photo by Pixabay
Representative Image | Pexels | Photo by Pixabay

Decluttering the home is one of the most inexpensive ways to increase the living space and make the property more appealing. A clutter-free environment gives the buyers a sense of ample space and management which in turn affects their decision to live there. Key areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and living room, are the home’s primary selling points, thus they need to be well organized. One way to do it is to categorize things into items to keep, “maybes,” and donation items. Hiring a professional may also help a lot.

10. Light up the living space

Representative Image | Pexels | Photo by Max Rahubovskiy
Representative Image | Pexels | Photo by Max Rahubovskiy

Bringing more light into the living space can help add life to the home. Poorly lit spaces feel smaller, cramped, and dirty, and thus are not preferred by buyers. On the other hand, brightly lit spaces add dynamic qualities and create a sense of openness, warmth, and connection to the outdoors. There are many ways to add light. Adding a skylight, using better curtains, or adding bigger windows can bring in more natural light. Further, artificial lighting can be strategically used to enhance the ambiance, making spaces more functional and visually appealing.

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