Whether you’re improving your home to sell it, raise finance against it, or simply to enjoy it yourself, there are simple steps you can take that will pay for the costs of any improvements in added value many times over. Whether you’re changing fixtures and fittings, or improving the external look, these 12 simple tasks will update your home and instantly pay for themselves:
Perk up the Exteriors
The primary decision every buyer takes into account while buying a property is its size and area. The exterior home value is what attracts the buyers at the first look, and makes the deal appealing for them. If you have a smartly landscaped property, you can give a comparatively smaller region a broader appearance, as well as can make a large area feel cozy and inviting.
A little investment on the exterior front will help you earn higher returns. Consider revamping these exterior elements to make your home stand out from the rest:
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Fencing – Nothing will make your home more eye-catching at first glance than a pristine, well-maintained fence. Whether you add a white picket fence or a plain wood fence, this will add curb appeal to your home as well as keep your front yard safe and secure.
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Roofing – If the roof of your home is older than 15 years, you should consider getting a roofing inspection and replacement done. You can upgrade the roof and choose more durable materials that add value to the existing home.If the roof has gaping holes in the tiles or has become rusty, consider re-painting your roof and replacing the broken tiles. This will make your home exterior appealing to the potential buyers.
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Painting – Painting the exteriors will give the home a suave look and instantly renew its appearance and grab potential buyers’ attention. It will help you boost the resale value. Consider painting the exterior in neutral colors that will lend it a complimenting feel with its surrounding rather than bright colors that might put buyers off.
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Tidy the Garden and Landscape – Mow the lawn, trim the plants, manicure the lawns, clean the sidewalks and put in colorful flowers and evergreen shrubs.If your home has a front garden, its landscaping will influence many potential buyers’ decisions. You can also paint the backyard for an appealing look.
Make Interiors Attractive
If an inviting curb appeal attracts buyers to step inside the home, it’s the striking interiors that help them make the final call. You can impress buyers by polishing some interior features and make them happily envision already living inside the home while surveying it.
Consider these tips to revitalize the home interiors and grab potential buyers’ attention:
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Flooring – Flooring adds the highest dividends on a home’s value. Revamping your flooring or upgrading an old flooring will yield greater returns on investments, as compared to other home improvements. You can consider wood, tile or natural stone as flooring options for upgrading.
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Kitchen – Upgrading your kitchen counter-tops and cabinetry can boost the home’s value and attract high return. Replace your old cabinets preferably with wood and opt for concrete or granite counter-tops.
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Lighting – If your lighting fixtures are outdated or just not doing the job properly, installing new lighting fixtures will give your home a brand new look and feel.
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Lose the Bright Colors – However much you may love your bright purple walls, potential buyers will find it easier to imagine themselves living in your home if they have a blank canvas to work with.
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Declutter the Home– If you’re a fan of money saving TV shows, you may have heard variations of the phrase “if it isn’t paying rent, sell it”. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, so don’t throw things away before you’ve at least tried to sell them. If you have some decorative fixtures, get them polished too.
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Storage– One of the biggest downsides when purchasing a new home is the lack of storage. If you have odd corners or areas where built-in cupboards would have both a practical and attractive use, consider having them fitted.
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Clean up the bathroom– Even if your bathroom is in good condition, taps and other metal ware can worn-out over time. Replacing them can make all the difference.
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Energy-Efficiency–Is your home insulation not up to par? Get a professional to help you find ways to make your home more energy efficient.
Use these ideas to give every reason to potential buyers to not only buy your property but also pay you a higher resale value.