You’re ready to put your house on the market and want top dollar for it, but you don’t have a lot of cash to spend. You can still make some upgrades that won’t break the bank but will increase your home’s value.
You can’t control some elements affecting home value, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your house look more appealing to a buyer.
Sometimes, small changes make a big impact. Whether it’s repainting the house to a neutral color or freshening up the landscaping, these updates can increase the value of your home.
We have found 15 ways to boost the value of your home without breaking the bank. Check out the list before you put your house on the market.
1. Get an Inspection
A home inspection can cost a few hundred dollars, but it can uncover any potential issues your house may have. Once you know about your house’s major problems, you can spend your money where needed.
Fixing minor home maintenance issues promptly can prevent them from becoming more expensive problems later. Take care of any minor maintenance issues now. Fixing a problem a buyer might have in the future can also increase the value of your home.
2. Curb Appeal
The front of your home is the first thing a prospective buyer sees from the driveway. Spruce up the front with small changes that make the right impression. Change the paint on the door and update the hardware and lock.
Take care of landscaping issues. Prune the trees and bushes, mow the lawn, and add a stone path to the front door. Plants on the porch can also make your home look more welcoming.
3. Refresh the Paint
New paint can breathe life into your home. Choose a neutral color for the walls, like off-white, beige, or eggshell. Neutral colors attract potential buyers by making your home look open and welcoming.
A fresh coat of paint on the exterior walls increases the value of your home by making it look fresh and clean. If you want to add an accent through paint, try painting the front door in a bright color.
4. Open up the Space
Consider how you’ve placed furniture to make your home look larger than it is. You can hire a professional to stage your house to get the most out of your space. The idea is to let buyers see the potential in the space, and a cluttered area is likely to put them off.
You can open up the space in your home by pulling down a wall, but you’ll need a professional to see if that’s possible. It will also cost much more money.
5. Switch to Smart Lighting
Upgrading the lighting in your home is a quick and inexpensive way to make it more attractive to buyers. Switch to LED bulbs that offer more lighting options and help save money on power bills in the long run.
Accent lighting, such as chandeliers and floor lamps, can make a house look modern and upgraded, increasing its potential value for buyers.
6. Change Cabinet Hardware
While changing the cabinetry of your house can be expensive, you can still upgrade your cabinets by making small changes. Repaint the cabinets to match the walls. Replace the hardware with updated pieces.
Gold cabinet hardware looks more elegant than brass or silver, but choose pieces that complement the house’s overall aesthetic. If you have some budget to spare, consider upgrading the kitchen cabinet doors. These are easy to replace yourself, so you don’t need a professional handyperson.
7. Freshen up the Landscaping
Your house needs to make the best first impression to buyers, and freshening up the landscaping is a great way to ensure that. Mow the lawn and trim overgrown bushes. Remulch the flower beds and add new flowers.
Creating a functional outdoor space is a great way to increase your home’s value. Do that on a budget by adding outdoor lighting and building a fire pit.
8. Maintain HVAC System
Regular maintenance of your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) is essential to avoid bigger problems that may require costlier repairs or replacement of the entire system. Replace the HVAC filters every season and get your system professionally checked twice a year.
Buyers will appreciate a home with a working heating and cooling system that requires no significant repairs and is move-in ready.
9. Upgrade the Kitchen
Kitchen upgrades significantly increase the value of your home, but they can be costly. Small changes in the kitchen can add value without breaking the bank. Adding a backsplash to the kitchen counter can be a budget-friendly way to make the kitchen look upgraded.
You can upgrade the faucets and add matching hardware to the cabinets. If your budget allows, consider adding granite or quartz countertops to add more value to the kitchen.
10. Replace Worn Carpets
Updating the flooring in your home can elevate its look and increase its value. If you have hardwood floors, invest in buffing the floors to bring them back to life. Laminate or vinyl plant flooring is a budget-friendly option if you want the hardwood look but can’t afford it.
Replace worn carpets and rugs if possible; otherwise, powerwash them to freshen up their look. You can rent a carpet cleaning machine or hire a carpet cleaning service.
11. Fix the Roof
If your roof is in disrepair or needs some work done, fix it to increase the value of your home. Consider this an investment because you can recoup the cost by increasing your home’s worth.
You can buy the materials and fix smaller problems yourself. But if you’re uncomfortable working on the roof yourself, you can always hire a local roofing company to do the work for you.
12. Upgrade the Bathroom
Upgrades in the bathroom after the kitchen significantly increase your home’s value. To create a cohesive bathroom aesthetic, change the showerhead and add matching hardware. Also, repaint the walls and clean or replace the flooring.
Consider adding floating cabinets or under-sink cabinets to create storage space in the bathroom. To freshen up the space, update the lighting and replace the mirror.
13. Take Care of Small Repairs
Minor maintenance issues can turn into more significant problems if left alone. So fix that leaky faucet, clean the gutters, repair the creaky step, and remove the mold in the sink.
The idea is to address issues as they arise instead of leaving them for another day. Buyers appreciate a well-maintained home where they won’t need to take care of any issues and can move in immediately.
14. Get Organized
One of the easiest (although tedious) ways to make your home look open and welcoming is to remove all the clutter. Start with smaller cabinets and drawers and work your way to larger spaces like the basement or attic.
Get rid of all the junk you don’t need anymore, clean the space, organize your things, and put them back in order. To avoid getting overwhelmed, do this one room at a time.
15. Deep Clean
After getting everything organized, deep clean the house. Remove all the furniture and carpets, clean and polish the floors, and remove any stains from furniture and carpets. Clean and polish all the hardware. Get the roof professionally cleaned.
Power wash the garage and driveway. Make sure all the windows are clean and sparkling. A clean house looks fresh and inviting to buyers willing to pay more.
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