Improvements to Increase Home Value

According to a 2019 survey, about 80% of homeowners plan to take on a home improvement project in the next six months to boost home value. If you look around your own home right now, you could probably come up with a list of things you’d like to get done, either for your enjoyment or to increase the value of your home.

Thankfully, most home improvement projects can offer both. They’ll make your life a little easier and more enjoyable while making your home more appealing to potential buyers if you ever decide to sell it.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing market shifted. It continues to be a great time to sell your house. Interest rates are lower, there’s less competition, and the seasons aren’t affecting sales.

If you’ve been thinking about listing your home but have been holding off, the time is now. If you want to boost your listing price and earn more of a profit, there are things you can do relatively quickly to increase your home value and have a nice chunk of change to put toward a new home.

So, how can you make improvements to turn your property around quickly?

Create Functional Spaces

People are spending more time at home than ever. A lot of it has to do with the pandemic, but some of those home habits are here to stay.

For example, more than 4.7 million people in the U.S. currently work remotely at least part-time. Because of that, people are looking for homes that are conducive to their careers. If you have a spare bedroom or open area in your house that can be transformed into an office space, it can significantly boost your property’s appeal and value.

You can even create an office space for yourself if you’re working remotely, and use it as a selling point when you decide to list. If you end up moving into a new house, you can use the extra profit to cover any remote expenses that your boss or company may not provide, including things like:

• Internet service
• Furniture
• Digital devices
• Computer software
• Online subscriptions

Other options for functional spaces in a home include a gym, a den, a playroom for the kids, or even an upgraded outdoor living space. Because people are spending more time at home, making every inch of space as functional as possible will make home life more comfortable and more appealing.

Take Advantage of Tech

Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular. According to the Consumer Technology Association, 83 million households in the U.S. have at least one smart technology product. Some of the best smart home products that can quickly add to your home’s value include:

• Smart thermostats
• Appliances
• Security systems
• Lighting

You can even go one step further and take advantage of artificial intelligence advancements in the home. While it’s not really a “project,” virtual staging can improve the value of your home simply by showing it off better than traditional pictures ever could. By using virtual staging, your rooms can be completely bare when photos are taken. Professional stagers will then “set up” the rooms digitally, showing potential buyers what the house could look like and inspiring them with different ideas. Think of it as a digital home improvement project meant to motivate buyers into making an offer.

Even adding a few pieces of technology to your home can make a big difference. Convenience is a major draw in the real estate market. And, again, people are spending more time at home. They want to live in a space where technology works for them and makes life a little bit easier. A small investment in tech devices now can lead to a bigger payoff when you decide to sell.

Small Upgrades That Make a Big Difference

You don’t have to be a professional handyman to tackle home projects that can boost value. There are plenty of small things that can be done around your property that will make a big difference. Not only can they make your home look better for staging, but buyers won’t have to worry about making those improvements themselves when they move in. If you really want to maximize your home’s value before selling, tackle some of the following projects:

• Upgrading rooms with paint
• Revamping the kitchen
• Deep cleaning
• Fixing any cracks/leaks in the roof

If you’re not sure where to get started when it comes to home improvements, focus on curb appeal. Fix up your landscaping and make sure the outside of your home looks inviting and clean. It’s the first impression potential buyers will have, and it will give them a feel for what to expect when they step into the property.

]As you can see, you don’t need a lot of time or money to take charge of home improvement projects. By handling them now, you can list your home quickly and take advantage of the current real estate market. Keep the projects suggested here in mind for a quick value boost, and enjoy the excitement of selling!

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

Photo by Karl Solano on Unsplash