There are many things you can do to change the overall look and feel of your home, but not all of them add value. While you want to make improvements that will give your home a personal touch, you should consider how that would effect the way a potential buyer would view your home. If you have no plans to sell, you can do what you like, but if you do, it would be a good idea to read the following article first.
Install a driveway, particularly if there isn't a lot of parking in the area. Parking is something that can make or break your home. If you have the best house in the world, many people won't see it that way if there is no parking. If you have the space, there is no reason why you shouldn't consider this. Once potential buyers see that there will always be a place to park their vehicles, it will make your home seem a lot more appealing.
Have your landscaping done. Curb appeal is more important than many people realize. There are a lot of buyers that will nix plans on any house they cannot stand to look at. You want people to see the interior of the home and all that it has to offer, but chances are they won't care if the outside looks a mess. You can do the landscaping yourself to save money, but hiring a professional will increase the chances buyers will love it.
Make a lot of cosmetic improvements. If you have older paint on the walls, take the time to paint it yourself or hire someone to do it. Patch up all of the cracks in the walls. Rip out all of the old, worn carpeting and put down something new. Things like this are very easy to do, so there is no reason not to. The investment you make would be fairly low, but the value of your home will skyrocket with the right cosmetic changes.
If you have an unfinished basement, get a contractor to complete it for you. This is a project that will be pretty costly, but it will increase the value of your home by quite a bit. When a basement is complete, it gives the home a lot more livable space. People will appreciate having a 3000 square foot home a lot more if a lot of that footage is not taken up by an old, dark basement.
Adding additional bathrooms is a great way to add to your home's value. Most people like the idea of not having to fight family members when it is time to get ready in the morning. If you do not have a bathroom on the main floor, you should think about adding one. A half bathroom is a good idea if you are trying to be economical. The idea is to have a place your guests can use without having to climb up any stairs.
You want to make sure that you don't do any home improvements so expensive that you won't see a return. The idea is to do small things that can make a huge difference. Keep that in mind as you are making changes to your space.