Adding Value to Your Property

Whether you are looking to rent your space, renovate an older property, or sell your home in the future, you need to separate your house from the herd. Doing so can take some time, but if you know where you need to upgrade and the best way to make it happen, you could have a property that will sell faster than you may realize. Keep in mind that you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to make your home appealing. Instead, a little adjustment here or there can make a big difference.

To ease the transition, we have compiled a list of great value-adding upgrades that you can make to your home inside and out to make the best impression possible.

Start Outside

When it comes to attracting renters and potential buyers, curb appeal is king. In fact, since the exterior of your home is the first thing they will see, homes that make a great first impression are likely to earn 7% more than a house with a so-so presentation. Start by sprucing up what you already have. That means power washing the deck, replacing any broken tiles or bricks, and repairing cracks in your driveway so it looks new.

Now you can start thinking about attractive additions. Start by installing outdoor lighting along the driveway and any pathways. This will help make the property shine and it helps people feel safer at night. You can also add value to your property and make the potential buyer’s life easier by installing an irrigation system in the yard that will provide hands-free watering and keep the lawn looking vibrant all year long.

People love to gather outside with their friends and family, so consider adding an outdoor seating or patio area. If you have the funds, also think about implementing a fire pit or a built-in grill for their entertaining needs. To showcase your patio area and the outside of the home in general, make sure to keep your bushes clean and your trees trimmed. Doing so will create a lovely picture, and according to many realtors, you can recoup these maintenance costs up to 100% once you sell.

Sustainability and Tech

When it comes to adding value to your home, you can never go wrong by following the trends, and in 2021, many people have an eye on sustainability. The idea of helping the planet makes people happy, and you can create a green home by making a few additions. Start by replacing all of your bulbs with LED lighting that is designed to last longer and will also save money. You can also save water by installing low-flow showerheads.

Another way to work towards sustainability is by updating the tech in your house to create a smart home. One of the best ways to do this is by installing a programmable thermostat that will automatically change the temperature during the day and night and when the family is out of the house. Many smart thermostats even have sensors that will turn off the unit when it detects that the premises are empty.

If you have the funds to make a major impact, consider installing solar panels. This is like putting a sign on your roof that tells the world that you care about the environment because they help to combat greenhouse emissions and create extreme energy efficiency, especially during the summer when the sun is bearing down. On top of the good you do for the world, homeowners with solar panels can also save up to $20,000 a year in energy costs over a 20-year period.

Make It Look Like a Brand New Home

Many people choose to leave their home as-is when they decide to sell and try to take what they can get when it comes to a sale price. However, with some general maintenance and sprucing up, you can make your home look like it was freshly built. Start by repainting the walls, refinishing the hardwood floors, and changing out any old carpeting if necessary. If you have pets, their odors likely permeate the interior of the home, so before you have potential buyers visit the property, put all area rugs and throw blankets in the wash, and as a special trick, spray a bottle of white vinegar mixed with essential oils in the smelliest areas.

You can update the kitchen and bathroom by changing out your existing faucets for newer models and replace the toilets for a more updated and modern look. As a small but impactful change, consider replacing the hardware on your cabinet doors, and if it has been several years, you might think about changing out the cabinets altogether. The current trend being lighter colored cabinets up top and a darker tone down below.

If you are upgrading an older home that was built in the 1970s or before, you should have it inspected for asbestos, a material that used to be built into the walls, floors, and roofing of these properties and has since been found to cause cancer and mesothelioma. If asbestos is found, have it removed before you even think about selling or renting out the home.

With so many houses and rentals on the market, you need to separate your residence from the pack. Implement some of the value-adds discussed here and make your home more desirable to a wider audience.

About The Author: Dan Matthews (Twitter) – Writer, Content Consultant, Conservationist, and Lover of all things DIY.

Photo by vu anh on Unsplash