The Top 9 Ways to Improve Your Home's Value

Modern fixtures and appliances can bring a home's value up significantly. Some reports suggest that updating your kitchen alone can increase the value of your home by 5-10%. This makes sense when you consider that new plumbing, tile, and cabinetry are often in high demand when listing a home.  

Additional square footage transforms a house into a more enticing buy for bigger families. A finished basement, a new addition like a guest house, a shelving unit, or even a swimming pool as a single remodel can pay for itself many times over. And if you have a loft or an attic with potential, consider adding some windows or making it into a bedroom or home office.  

In picking a type of flooring to install in your home, it's important to consider the potential buyer's lifestyle. If they have children or pets, vinyl or laminate floors would be the best choice as they are easy to clean and can withstand high-traffic areas. However, if you want the new homeowner to envision stylish and elegant decor, then marble, cork, hardwood, and tile flooring are great options.  

If you want to make your house appear more desirable, painting your interior or exterior can provide a sense of warmth and comfort. You can paint interior walls in complementary colors, while exterior paint creates the perfect backdrop for a house with an open veranda. Neutral tones, such as beige, white and gray, are popular choices since they can easily blend with different interior décor styles.  

It may seem counterintuitive, but making your home more energy-efficient can give you a higher value when it comes time to sell. Energy-efficient furnaces, air conditioning units, and water heaters use less energy to run and are more durable, resulting in a longer lifespan. In the long run, the client will save plenty of money on utility bills and put more money in the client's pockets.  

Though some may not consider it, landscaping improves your home's curb appeal, which is key to finding buyers sooner. One way to spruce up the exterior of a house is by adding shade trees that will provide plenty of welcome shade for summertime and look great in front of the house. A well-maintained lush greenery, mowed lawn, and interesting water features create a cool and serene atmosphere that gives an "open for business" feel, even when no one's home.  

Including an outdoor living space in your home can make it more desirable by providing added space and value. A sturdy level deck can function as a space for entertaining guests, relieving stress, and hosting get-togethers. They also make your house feel bigger and allow a real estate customer to enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and great views. So why not make it into a spot where they can relax, have fun and create great memories with their family?  

In the listing process of a house, the buyers are usually most interested in the roof and its overall condition. First impressions are important when selling a house, so ensuring the roof is intact, with no damage or leaks, can help entice buyers to buy a house. When replacing a roof, you're getting rid of old shingles damaged by sun exposure and harsh weather, so it's a win-win situation for the homebuyer and you as the seller.  

Peace of mind is priceless, especially when you know you are not at risk of losing valuables. Whether you want to add security cameras, motion detectors, and a phone system to monitor the home 24/7 or have the system monitored in case of a break-in, there are so many options for guarding the home that provide an extra incentive for buyers. It's not just installing a security system but the feeling of being safe that comes with it.