There are lots of ways to increase the value of your home before putting it on the market, by sprucing it up both inside and out. These little home improvement projects don't have to cost a lot of money, but they can often maximize the value of a home. So here are some of the top 10 ways that you can increase the value of your home before its sale.
1. Anything that improves the appearance of the home would usually add value, and decorative moldings for both the interior and exterior can add a lot to a home's appearance. They can often be installed by the homeowner themselves and are readily available at most home improvement stores.
2. One of the most important areas of the home that contribute toward the overall resale value is the kitchen. Quite often, it's a good idea to update older kitchens by replacing cabinets and countertops with more modern materials. If a complete overhaul will be too expensive, you may also want to consider simply refacing the cabinets and changing out items like the cabinet hardware and hinges, as well as the kitchen faucet for the most cost-effective cosmetic effect.
3. The bathroom is another one of the most important areas of the house for home improvement. Resurfacing the tub, changing out some of the tile and updating it, and installing a more modern vanity and faucet can go a long way toward improving the bathroom's appearance and bringing it more up to date.
4. A new roof can help out as it is one of the first things that prospective buyers will see, and your investment here will often come back to you because many buyers appreciate the value of a new roof.
5. If you have a wood or clapboard exterior to your home, give serious consideration to installing vinyl siding over it, as this can add up to $10,000 to the value of your home. And if you already have vinyl siding, give it a good pressure washing to freshen up the appearance of the exterior.
6. Putting on a fresh coat of paint both on the inside and outside of a home can make a dramatic difference in its appearance, and is fairly inexpensive and easily accomplished by most homeowners themselves.
7. If your carpeting or vinyl flooring is starting to show serious wear this can affect the appearance of an entire room. So replace any areas that are showing lots of wear to help build the home's value. Sometimes just a good carpet cleaning can do wonders too.
8. Newer and more modern appliances such as the refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and so on can contribute substantially toward the value of your home as well.
9. The outside of your home is the first thing that most home buyers will see, and here is where a well maintained yard with properly placed flowers and shrubs can create a pleasing exterior that invites visitors in for a closer look inside the home.
10. Sometimes adding a new deck to your home can be a good selling point too. A nice wooden deck with a comfortable patio set would provide a recreational area that appeals to many home buyers.
Of course, you can only make the home improvements that your budget will allow. But many of these suggestions listed above are not expensive at all. All of them however will enhance the appearance and the value of almost any home.