Whether you’re
prepping your house to go on the market or looking for ways to maximize its
long-term appreciation, these nine home improvement projects are great ways to
add function, beauty, and real value to your home.
The
best part is, once you’ve secured the materials, most of these renovations can
be completed over the course of a weekend. And they don’t require a lot of
specialized skills or experience. So grab your toolbox, then get ready to boost
your home’s appeal AND investment potential!
- Spruce
Up Your Landscaping
Landscaping
improvements can increase a home’s value by 10-12%.1 But which outdoor
features do buyers care about most? According to a survey of Realtors, a
healthy lawn is at the top of their list. If your lawn is lacking, overseeding or
laying new sod can be a worthwhile investment—with an expected return of 417%
and 143% respectively.1
Planting
flowers is another great way to enhance your home’s curb appeal. And if you
choose a perennial variety, your blooms should return year after year. For an
even longer-term impact, consider planting a tree. According to the Council of
Tree and Landscape Appraisers, a mature tree can add up to $10,000 to the value
of your home.2
- Clean
The Exterior
When it
comes to making your house shine, a sparkling facade can be just as important
as a clean interior. Real estate professionals estimate that washing the
outside of a house can add as much as $15,000 to its sales price.3
A
rented pressure washer from your local home improvement store can help you remove
built-up dirt and grime from your home’s exterior, walkway, and driveway. Just
be sure to read the instructions carefully—and only use it on surfaces that can
withstand the intensity. When in doubt, a scrub brush and bucket of sudsy water
will often do the trick.
- Add
A Fresh Coat Of Paint
New
paint can have a big impact on both the appearance and value of a property. In
fact, it’s one of the most effective ways to revitalize a home’s exterior,
update its interior, and make it appear larger and brighter. The best part?
Painting is relatively easy and inexpensive!
To get
the maximum return at resale, stick with a modern but neutral color palette
that will appeal to a broad range of buyers. According to a recent survey of
home design experts, cool neutrals are a safe bet when it comes to interior
paint. And respondents chose white and gray as the best exterior paint colors
to use when selling a home.4 However, it’s important to consider a
property’s architecture, existing fixtures, and regional design preferences, as
well.
- Install
Smart Home Technology
In a
recent survey, 78% of real estate professionals said their buyer clients were
willing to pay more for a home with smart technology features.5 The most requested
smart devices? Thermostats (77%), smoke detectors (75%), home security cameras
(66%), and locks (63%).6
The
good news is, many of these gadgets are fairly easy to install. And some of
them, including smart thermostats and light bulbs, will pay for themselves over
time by making your home more energy efficient. In fact, many manufacturers
report that smart thermostats can cut back on heating and cooling costs by
10-20%.7
If you
already own a smart speaker, like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, choose devices
that will pair with your existing technology. This will enable you to create a
truly integrated (and in many cases voice-activated) smart home experience.
- Modernize
Your Window Treatments
Smart—or
motorized—blinds are also growing in popularity, and several manufacturers make
models you can order and install on your own. But they’re not the only way to
modernize your window treatments.
If you
have old aluminum blinds, consider replacing them with plantation shutters,
which are energy efficient, durable, and have strong buyer appeal.8 Roman and roller
shades are another stylish alternative, and they come in a variety of colors
and fabrics, which you can personalize to meet your design and privacy
preferences.
Fortunately,
upgrading your blinds has gotten easier and less expensive in recent years.
There are a number of retailers that specialize in affordable window coverings
that are simple to measure and hang yourself.
- Replace
Outdated Fixtures
Drastically
transform the look and feel of your home by swapping out dingy and dated
fixtures for contemporary alternatives. Start by assessing your current light
fixtures, faucets, cabinet hardware, door knobs, and even switch plates. Then
prioritize replacing those that are particularly outdated or in highly-visible
areas, such as your entryway or kitchen.
Even if
your home is fairly new, consider trading your builder-grade fixtures for
higher-end options to give it a more upscale appearance. And forget the old
rule about sticking to one metal tone throughout your property. According to
designers, mixing metal finishes can add interest and character to a space.9
For more designer
insights and decor trends, contact us for a free copy of our recent report: “Top
5 Home Design Trends for a New Decade.”
- Upgrade
Your Bathroom Mirror
A minor
bathroom remodel offers one of the best returns on investment, with a $1.71
increase in home value for every $1 you spend.10 We’ve already
explored several improvements you can make to your bathroom: new paint,
fixtures, and hardware. Now complete the look by upgrading your vanity’s
mirror.
Before
you purchase a new mirror, examine your existing one to see how it is attached
to the wall. Some vanity mirrors are glued to the wall and difficult to remove
without shattering the glass or damaging the sheetrock behind it.11
If you
prefer to keep your existing mirror, you can paint the frame—or add one if it’s
currently frameless. There are several online retailers that will send you the
frame components cut to your specifications, which you can assemble and mount
yourself. Much like a work of art, your vanity mirror serves as a focal point
for your bathroom, so let your creativity shine through!
- Shampoo
Your Carpet
Carpet
is notorious for trapping dust, dirt, and allergens. It’s one of the reasons
that most buyers prefer hard surface flooring.12 But if you love
your carpet, or you’re not ready to invest in an alternative, make an effort to
keep it clean and odor-free.
To
properly maintain your carpet, you should vacuum it weekly. Experts also
recommend a deep shampoo at least every two years.13 Fortunately, this
is a cheap and easy DIY project you can knock out in about 20 minutes per room.
According to Consumer Reports, you can rent a machine and purchase cleaning
fluid and supplies for around $90. With an average return on your investment of
169%, it’s well worth the effort and expense.14
- Customize
Your Closet
Real
estate professionals estimate that a closet remodel can add $2500 to a home’s
selling price. And while a professional renovation can cost upwards of
$6000, there are many high-quality DIY closet systems you can customize and
install yourself.15
Experts
recommend taking a thorough inventory of your wardrobe and accessories before
you get started. Make sure frequently-worn pieces are easy to reach, and store
seasonal and seldom-used items on high shelves. Place shoe racks near the
closet entrance so they are easy to access.16 A little planning
can go a long way toward building a closet that you (and your future buyers!)
will love.
|
GET A
COMPLIMENTARY ANALYSIS OF YOUR PROJECT We’ve
been talking averages. But the truth is, the actual impact of a home
improvement project will vary depending on your particular home and
neighborhood. Before you get started, contact me to schedule a free virtual
consultation. I can help you determine which upgrades will offer the
greatest return on your effort and investment. 801.997.1770 |
Sources:
- HomeLight
–
https://www.homelight.com/blog/improve-curb-appeal-landscaping/ - National
Association of Realtors –
https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/landscape-renovations-that-pay-off/ - HouseLogic.com
–
https://www.houselogic.com/save-money-add-value/add-value-to-your-home/adding-curb-appeal-value-to-home/ - Fixr
–
https://www.fixr.com/blog/2020/01/14/paint-color-trends-in-2020/ - T3
Sixty –
https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/CES2018-Smart-Homes-An-Emerging-Real-Estate-Opportunity.pdf - Consumer
Reports –
https://www.consumerreports.org/smart-home/smart-home-tech-upgrades-to-help-sell-your-house/ - American
Council for Energy Efficient Economy –
https://www.aceee.org/sites/default/files/publications/researchreports/a1801.pdf - Forbes
–
https://www.forbes.com/sites/trulia/2016/07/05/10-upgrades-under-1000-that-increase-home-values-2/#47b0d3162e60 - Insider
–
https://www.insider.com/home-design-rules-you-should-be-breaking-2020-1 - Zillow
–
https://www.zillow.com/sellers-guide/roi-for-bathroom-remodel/ - Lowes
–
https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/remove-a-bathroom-mirror - HomeLight
–
https://www.homelight.com/blog/what-flooring-increases-home-value/ - Angie’s
List –
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-often-should-i-clean-my-carpets.htm - HomeLight
–
https://www.homelight.com/blog/projects-that-increase-home-value/ - National
Association of Realtors –
https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/remodeling-impact - EasyClosets
–
https://www.easyclosets.com/tips-ideas/2016/10/02/how-to-plan-your-walk-in-closet/
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