Real estate markets can be fickle. They can be up one month and down the next. While market conditions can fluctuate, home values are usually fairly consistent.
There are many things you can do to add value to your home. Many of them are simple and don’t require a lot of time or effort. They can make your house feel more like a home and can add resale value for when you’re looking to sell. Here are several ideas to consider:
- 1. Trim your trees.
- 2. Build a deck.
- 3. Add or revamp your attic's insulation.
- 4. Cross those minor repairs off of your "to-do" list.
- 5. Finish that unfinished basement.
- 6. Add recessed lighting.
- 7. Replace old cabinet and drawer handles.
- 8. Add racks for you pots and pans.
- 9. Examine your entryway.
- 10. Add a fire pit to your backyard.
- 11. Make the most of your garage space.
- 12. Upgrade your appliances.
- 13. Add smart home technology.
- 14. Ditch the carpeting.
- 15. Landscape.
- 16. Add outdoor lighting.
- 17. Upgrade your kitchen counters.
- 18. Install energy-efficient windows.
- 19. Replace those outdated light switches.
- 20. Power wash your home's exterior.
- 21. Paint.
- 22. Re-grout or replace your shower tiles.
- 23. Upgrade your duct work.
- Contact The Norber Real Estate Group
1. Trim your trees.
One of the easiest ways to add value to your home is something that you can do in your spare time. Trim your trees and branches on a regular basis. This includes pruning and spraying for common pests that may occur. This should only take a few hours a month and has very little cost associated. Costs that should be easy to recoup after you’ve sold your home.
2. Build a deck.
Adding a deck onto your home gives you more space for gatherings with family and friends. It gives you a nice space to host cookouts and other activities. You can hang out and enjoy each other’s company on a beautiful spring, summer or fall day. Most deck projects cost less than $20,000 to complete, and that could end up being a feature that gets your house sold over another.
3. Add or revamp your attic’s insulation.
Attics are often overlooked in most homes. They need adequate protection from the elements just like any other area of your home. If you’re looking to remodel or sell your home, take a few moments to examine your attic’s insulation. It may be time to add insulation or upgrade to more efficient material.
4. Cross those minor repairs off of your “to-do” list.
You know those minor home repairs that have been on your “to-do” list for a while? The perfect time to get them done is when you’re thinking about selling your home.
Loose shingles, broken windows, leaky faucets, damaged screens and sidewalk cracks are just some of the more common problems that you may have. They add to your home value and can even save you money in the long run.
5. Finish that unfinished basement.
Whether you’ve planned to use your basement space or not, it’s a good idea to finish the basement. It will add more living space and make your home more appealing to prospective buyers.
6. Add recessed lighting.
Consider adding recessed lighting in your kitchen, living room and other high-traffic areas of your home It’s a more energy-efficient lighting solution that doesn’t cost a lot to install. Most recessed lights cost around $200 or less to install.
7. Replace old cabinet and drawer handles.
Another thing you can do is to replace those old drawer and cabinet handles that don’t work or are just unappealing. They only take a few minutes to replace and can extend the useful life of clothes drawers, kitchen cabinets and other drawers and cabinets in your home.
8. Add racks for you pots and pans.
If you use your pots and pans regularly, why not give them a proper place in your kitchen? Installing a rack or two for the pots and pans that you use will give them a proper place.
No more having to dig around in your kitchen cabinets for just the right pot or pan for a specific dish. Everything’s right there in front of you.
9. Examine your entryway.
Put some thought into your home’s entryway. Is it appealing for visitors, or is it outdated or cluttered? You may want to add a nice bench, some decorative wall art or a new door. A good entryway makes a good first impression.
10. Add a fire pit to your backyard.
Fire pits have grown in popularity over the last several years. They are relatively easy to construct, and are a good central meeting place. They are also a nice alternative source of energy on a cool night.
11. Make the most of your garage space.
While you’re at it, start thinking about how much of your garage space that you actually use. Is the space being used efficiently, or is it just used to store things you don’t have room for in your house? You can transform your garage into an important part of your property. Invest in a nice tool rack and a few storage cabinets and closets to maximize that space.
12. Upgrade your appliances.
It may also be time to upgrade your kitchen and laundry appliances. Adding more energy-efficient models that last longer will surely add value to your home while contributing to a more modern look and feel.
13. Add smart home technology.
The nice thing about most smart home technology is that it’s non-intrusive. It blends in rather well. Digital thermostats, security cameras in your entryways, automatic lighting and keypad door locks are just some of the technological upgrades you can make.
14. Ditch the carpeting.
Depending on where you live, it may be time to replace the carpeting that you’ve had for years with wood, stone or laminate flooring. These kinds of floorings are more attractive to potential buyers and are easier to clean and maintain over time.
15. Landscape.
One of the last things you should do before putting your home up for sale is to landscape. Remove any dead or dying plants or trees and replace them with healthy ones. Mow your lawn, get rid of those pesky weeds and do whatever else you can to make your lawn and garden more visually appealing.
16. Add outdoor lighting.
Another good idea is to add some outdoor lighting along your driveway or sidewalk. Another effective way to add value to your home that pays for itself in a relatively short period of time.
17. Upgrade your kitchen counters.
Kitchens are often key selling points. They should be both functional and attractive. Consider upgrading your current kitchen countertops to wood, granite or quartz. Don’t be daunted by the installation price. They will add value to the room and attract more interested parties to your open house events.
18. Install energy-efficient windows.
If you’ve noticed a draft coming from some of the windows in your home, it’s time to replace them. Adding energy-efficient windows not only saves on heating and cooling costs, but also improves your home’s value almost instantly.
19. Replace those outdated light switches.
Adding stylish wooden, metal, plastic or ceramic light switches gives your home a more modern look and feel. They also provide a better overall return on your investment in the long run.
20. Power wash your home’s exterior.
You probably don’t have time to do this regularly, but you should power wash your home’s exterior at least once or twice before it’s ready to sell.
This gets rid of the bugs, dirt, grime and other things that can make your walls and siding appear unsightly.
21. Paint.
It may also be time to apply a fresh coat of paint to certain rooms in your home. You can use the same colors or go for something new. An easy aesthetic upgrade that doesn’t take a lot of time or money.
22. Re-grout or replace your shower tiles.
When prospective buyers attend an open house, one of the last things they want to see is dirty, moldy shower tiles.
Take the time to re-grout or replace those tiles as necessary. A simple upgrade that will make any bathroom sparkle.
23. Upgrade your duct work.
Most homes usually have some sort of heating or cooling issues. A good way to remedy this issue is by installing ductless mini-splits.
Many of them can be operated by remote control to provide more even temperatures throughout your home.
These are just some of the many ways to add value to your home. Selling your home in Michigan can be challenging at times, but these and other upgrades can make your dwelling more appealing to prospective buyers.
Advertising these changes can put your home at the top of their list of potential homes.
The time and effort spent on such improvements is usually very well worth it. They can help to expedite the process so that you can move on to the next chapter of your life.
Contact The Norber Real Estate Group
The best source of information about local communities and real estate topics is your real estate agent. Give Joshua Norber of the Norber Real Estate Group a call today at 248-785-3737 to learn more about the area, discuss selling your house, or tour available homes for sale.