Increase Your Home Value

Nothing makes a faster statement than painting. One of the simplest, most cost-effective improvements of all is paint! Freshly painted rooms look clean and updated  and that spells value. When selecting paint colors, keep in mind that neutrals appeal to the greatest number of people, therefore making your home more desirable. On average, a gallon of paint costs around $25, leaving you plenty of money to buy rollers, painter's tape, drop cloths and brushes. 

Get a Professional Opinion. Check with your local Realtors to see if you can have someone come and view your home and give you their professional opinion. You may also try getting a consultation with a home stager or decorator. A fresh pair of eyes, especially professional ones can give you valuable insight on how a potential buyer sees your home and what you can do to improve that all important first impression of your home. Prepare to spend between $75-$200 for a consultation.

Improve your curb appeal. No question that shrubs and colorful plants will add curb appeal to any home, but when shopping at your local garden center, make sure that you "think green." Purchase plants that are native to your region or plants that are drought-tolerant; these require less water and maintenance, which means more savings to you and more green in your wallet.

Remove that popcorn ceiling! What's on your ceiling? Few structural elements date a house more than popcorn ceilings. So dedicate a weekend to ditching the dated look and adding dollar signs to the value of your home. This is a project you can tackle yourself. First, visit your local hardware store for a solution to soften the texture, then simply scrape the popcorn away. Removing a popcorn ceiling may not seem like a big change but one of the keys for adding value to your home is to repair, replace or remove anything that could turn buyers away.

Get your home inspected. A home inspection is vital before you put your home on the market. The last thing you want is to have a contract on the table, only to hear the inspector has found dry rot. If you know in advance, you can take care of it. If a home inspection turns out well, it is likely the buyers will feel good about their purchase and not ask for costly fixes or concessions. A home inspection will also give you a heads up on upcoming costs and buyers will be impressed and feel more secure with a homeowner who has regularly had the home inspected.

Small bathroom updates equal a big return. Bathroom updates are always a smart move. A great room to update for less than $750 is the bathroom. The two rooms that benefit most from even small renovations are the kitchen and bathroom. One cost-effective change, like replacing an outdated vanity, old plumbing and lighting fixtures or adding a new tile floor, will guarantee a lot of bang for your buck and give your bath an updated, modern look.

Fix all small repairs and complete your "Honey Do" list. Walk around your home and make a list of all the little things that are broken or in need of repair. Individually, small repairs might not seem important, but if every room has just one thing wrong, those small things will add up to create the impression that your home has been neglected. If you don't feel comfortable tackling the repairs yourself, hire a handyman for a day and watch your "to do" list disappear.

Add Some energy efficient features, Nowadays everyone is looking for ways to go green. Install a tankless water heater, upgrade to star efficient appliances, and add a programmable thermostat. Seals around the windows and door frames and improved insulation will lower your electric bills and letting potential buyers know they won't be paying an arm and a leg for utility bills is a great selling feature.

Spend your budget on your kitchen. Whatever your budget is spend the majority of it on your kitchen. Adding marble countertops, stainless steel appliances and replacing or at least improving your cabinets will all go a long way in improving your home value. On a limited budget replace the cabinet hardware and paint the doors for a fresh new look. Keep the counter uncluttered and sell that valuable counter space.

Fix up the Entry way. The look of your front door and entrance play heavily into the overall curb appeal of your home. As visitors enter, the front door serves as the transition into your home and is part of their first impression. Entry doors are architectural components that should complement your home's overall design, not detract from it. If your existing front door isn't up to par, head down to your local home improvement store for a more energy-efficient and attractive replacement.