Add Value To Your Home With These Improvements
Making your home more beautiful or functional is always a good idea, but especially important if you are looking to increase the value of it. Look over the following ways in which you can improve your home, while upping its market value at the same time.
1. Everybody loves a great kitchen. People spend a lot of time cooking, eating and socializing in the kitchen, so make sure it's beautiful and updated. The preparation of food should be a joy and dining a warm, cozy experience. Be it for you or the future owner, redo cabinets, flooring and lighting to make the kitchen welcoming to all.
2. Make the bathroom sparkle. Either professionally cleaning or installing new tile really isn't a major renovation and can add life and shine to the bathroom. Given that most are small rooms to begin with, the bath is one area where you can devote a lot of time and attention to with immediate results. Add mirrors to make it look larger, a window or vent to circulate moist air and replace anything that has lost its ability to shine.
3. First impressions last; update the siding on your home. Unless it's made of brick, your home exterior is probably in need of some fresh curb-appeal -- especially if you intend to sell. This is one home improvement project that will require significant investment, time and possibly the hiring of professionals. Make sure to consider the age and weather-proofing of windows when you fix up the outside of your house.
4. Wow them with landscaping. If you don't have a lot of cash to spend and want to be the best house on the block, get creative with a garden, hedges or trees. Strategically planted flowers can add extreme appeal and value, as will a nicely crafted garden fence. Add ornaments and solar-powered lighting, and your yard is suddenly looking like something straight out of a magazine!
5. Make a spacious patio or other outdoor area. With the laying of a nice path of stones or bricks, a picnic table with an umbrella and a few large potted plants, you can turn an ordinary backyard into an amazing family gathering place. Not just a bonus for a buyer -- your family and friends will enjoy a summer cook-out or cocktail party there too!
6. Simple and inexpensive painting. A fresh coat of paint can quickly do wonders to modernize any room and give your home greater selling-power. Such a job is also best done with helpers, so solicit the kids or neighborhood pals to help you cover the walls with new color. Keep the tones muted and traditional if you plan on putting the house on the market though, as custom or unusual colors can be a big turn-off to prospective buyers.
As you can see, if you want to increase your home's value, there are plenty of ways to do it. It's fun and beneficial to spruce up your house, whether you are looking to sell it or just enjoy more of your time there. Fix it up with the above helpful tips and have a home you are proud to own or one that will fetch a pretty penny on the market.
