1. Clean, Clean, Clean
By making a clean house a priority, you do several things at once. First, you stay on top of maintenance issues, spotting potential problems before they evolve into expensive ones. Secondly, you don’t allow dirt and gunk to build up over time. Remember, decluttering is a form of cleaning and will make future tidying a breeze.
2. Paint
One of the simplest, most cost-effective improvements of all is paint! A fresh coat of paint can make a space look fresh and updated, often making your space appear larger as well. When selecting paint colors, keep in mind that neutrals appeal to the greatest number of people, therefore making your home more desirable.
3. Boost Curb Appeal
Improving your home’s curb appeal is often as simple as cleaning and performing necessary landscaping and is guaranteed to make a world of difference. Does your home look attractive, welcoming, and structurally sound at first glance? Start by making a list of ways to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative aspects of your home. If you have a curved walkway, accentuate it with flowers or lighting fixtures. If the first thing a visitor sees is your big wide garage, try to guide their eyes into a beautifully landscaped front yard, or paint your front door a wonderful color to guide the eye there! Little things can make a big difference.
4. Plant More Now, Get More Later
Never underestimate the power of cleverly-planned landscaping. A properly placed tree has the power to cut cooling costs by up to 40%! Another way to go green and boost your home’s value is to add energy-efficient elements to your home! Making your home more efficient is not only good for monthly costs and attracting buyers, it’s good for the planet! Nearly 70% of real estate professionals said that promoting energy-efficiency in home listings was valuable.
5. Remove Outdated Design Elements
Few structural elements date a house more than popcorn ceilings. So dedicate a weekend to ditching the dated look and adding dollar signs to the value of your home. This is a project you can tackle yourself. First, visit your local hardware store for a solution to soften the texture, then simply scrape the popcorn away. Removing a popcorn ceiling may not seem like a big change but one of the keys for adding value to your home is to repair, replace, or remove anything that can turn away potential buyers.
6. Budget-Friendly Bathroom Updates
Even if you can’t afford a full remodel, bathroom updates are always a smart move! Small changes such as sprucing up outdated walls with a faux or textured finish and replacing old light fixtures will improve the look and feel of the room without denting your wallet.
7. Budget-Friendly Kitchen Updates
It’s no secret that updates in the kitchen and bathroom add the most value to a home, so what budget-friendly updates can be done in the kitchen? In the kitchen, we recommend starting in the most obvious spot such as failing appliances, outdated cabinets, damaged or dingy countertops, and then working your way to aesthetically pleasing touches where the budget allows! Check out our showcase here for some ideas.
8. Smart Systems and Appliances
Americans are getting more interested in buying homes that come with all the bells and whistles. From thermostats to cameras and security systems, these upgrades are guaranteed to add value to your home.
9. Convert Your Garage or Basement
Converting your garage or finishing your basement into a more livable space is a great way to add value to your home while also adding square footage! Bigger homes usually lead to higher values, and that’s something buyers tend to notice. CCG offers services to help you renovate a room or finish your basement, check out more of what we do here.
10. Consult an Expert
If you’re not sure where to start improving your home, consider enlisting the help of a design expert. A professional in the interior design field can come into your home and help you target areas most in need of an update, taking the stress-inducing question of “where to begin” off your shoulders! Once you decide on a space to update, imaging technology has made it possible to view your space with the upgrades completed before the project even starts ensuring your satisfaction with the finished product! Click here to learn more about our stress-free process.
