Top 10 Lists to Increase Your Home Value
Increasing the value of your home is easier than you think. The trick is knowing those easy ways to increase home value that require little of your time, effort, and money. Follow these tips, and your home will be worth more before you know it.
1. Home Begins at the Front Door
The look of your front door and entrance play heavily into the overall curb appeal of your home. As visitors enter, the front door serves as the transition into your home and is part of their first impression. Entry doors are architectural components that should complement your home’s overall design, not detract from it. If your existing front door isn’t up to par, head down to your local home improvement store for a more energy-efficient
and attractive replacement. Whether you choose a solid wood door or one with decorative stained or cut glass panels, a welcoming entrance will definitely increase your home’s bottom line.
2. Curb Appeal
If your house doesn’t look appealing from the outside, chances are a potential buyer will never make it inside. If the exterior color of your house is dated or fading, painting is a good place to start your improvements. Choose colors and exterior details that match the period of your house. Paving a driveway or walkway that is in disrepair is a must, because this is what leads people to your home — you want it to be welcoming.
3. Get Rid of Clutter
Make your house look more spacious by eliminating junky or unnecessary items. Get rid of battered furniture, decaying knick-knacks and piles of paper – or, if you can’t stand to part with anything, throw your stuff in a storage unit until after the house sells. Remember that it’s better to show a somewhat barren house than one that’s filled to the brim with clutter.
4. Paint, Paint, Paint
One of the simplest, most cost-effective improvements of all is paint! Freshly painted rooms look clean and updated — and that spells value. When selecting paint colors, keep in mind that neutrals appeal to the greatest number of people, therefore making your home more desirable. On average, a gallon of paint costs around $25, leaving you plenty of money to buy rollers, painter’s tape, drop cloths and brushes. So buy a few gallons and get
busy!
5. Eliminate Odors
A common saying among realtors is, “If you can smell it, you can’t sell it.” Sometimes, people can’t detect how their house smells because their noses are so accustomed to it. If you think your home smells fabulous, have a trusted friend confirm or deny this as soon as they walk in the door. If you keep pets, thoroughly shampoo carpets and furniture, and wash all bedding – you’re not selling the bedding or the furniture, but they’re capable of smelling up the house just the same. If you smoke, do everything you would for pets in addition to washing (and possibly painting over) the walls and ceiling as well as you can
6. Swap Out Your Lighting
Adding new ceiling features can instantly update the look of a home. Ceiling fixtures tend to get hung, then forgotten, which means they look dated before long. Inexpensive replacements from a home improvement store can make a room look more current – especially if the house is being shown empty.
7. Add New Energy-Efficient Fixtures
A functional, decorative ceiling fan is a beautiful thing. It provides necessary light and, in warm months (especially in Arizona), creates a soft breeze reducing the need for expensive air conditioning. But, an outdated, wobbly, loud or broken ceiling fan is a useless eyesore. Replace old fixtures with new ones to make your home more enjoyable for you now and to increase the bottom line should you decide to sell.
8. Call An Inspector
Buyers often discover problems with a house after hiring an inspector. This can result in lost sales or reduced selling prices. So, why not hire an inspector before you put your house on the market? That way, any issues can be addressed, or disclosed, beforehand.
9. Kitchen Improvements
Kitchens tend to be the heart of a family home so anything you do to improve your kitchen will add value. Again, painting the kitchen should be the first step, whether you plan an entire remodel of the room or just a minor facelift. Vinyl flooring tends to make the room look dated, so consider replacing it with laminate or tile. New cabinetry, kitchen sink fixtures and updated lighting will all add value. If you are on a budget, you can still increase value by sanding and then painting or staining cabinetry and adding new hardware and by purchasing new (matching) appliances and new countertops.
10. Landscaping
Low-Maintenance Landscaping saves you money now, adds value when you sell. No question that shrubs and colorful plants will add curb appeal to any home, but when shopping at your local garden center, make sure that you “think green.” Purchase plants that are native to your region or plants that
are drought-tolerant; these require less water and maintenance, which means more savings to you and more green in your wallet.
In today’s market, every impression counts! For more way in which you can ensure sales success for your home,
Selling your home in Phoenix AZ
Contact Us or call Swee Ng at 480.721.6253 today to discuss your potential Phoenix House Value and our comprehensive marketing plan. We will prepare complimentary competitive market analysis (CMA) to find out what your home is worth at today’s market.
Swee Ng, Realtor and Phoenix East Valley resident specializing in win-win real estate transaction through great communication and fighting for his clients’ best interest. After all, this is more than real estates, this is about your life and your dreams.
If you are looking to buy or sell your home in Phoenix AZ area, we hope you will consider us. Contact us today for complimentary consultation.
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