There is a misconception that you have to spend a lot of money on complicated remodeling projects in order to increase your home value. The same effect can be accomplished with a few much cheaper, yet strategically chosen, minor repairs. Most of these don’t require any professional assistance, just a bit of time and imagination. The key is to get inside the head of potential buyers and think of the changes they might appreciate most. Guest blogger, Alex Williams will give tools and tips to some easy DIY projects that will increase the value of your home without going broke.
Paint job
A fresh coat of paint makes every home appear new and unused. It allows the potential buyers to get a clean start and imagine their own décor when they inspect the house. It is well worth the investment to call in a professional interior designer to make sure your home doesn’t look like a Crayola box. Choose as neutral colors as possible. That will make future changes easier and less expensive. While you’re doing this, change the lights wherever necessary. Brighter homes appear more spacious, especially on photographs you’ll need to take if you’re planning on selling the place online. It’s a simple project and depending on the size of the house, it takes a couple of days at the most.
Hardwood floors
Hardwood floors can look really cozy and rustic if they are well maintained. But, if they are just rotting under a carpet, they’ll need a bit of sprucing up. Start with hammering any visible nail heads. Use sanding to remove scratches and stains that have accumulated over time. Clean the sawdust created in the process and finish off by applying chemical strippers. You might want to install crown moldings to give the whole room a classy touch. Those can be bought at any home improvement store and require only a drill to be installed.
The kitchen
A kitchen is usually the hardest room to update because appliances aren’t cheap and once you start changing them, you probably need to rearrange the whole setup. But, a few small fixes can also go a long way. For instance, try painting the cabinets instead of buying new ones. Cream or white is probably the best choice. Also, replace the handles and you’ll see how different the whole room will feel. The faucets can also be replaced quite easily and inexpensively.
Air purifiers
Mold, pet hair and stale air can be damaging to your health, but they can also make the home less appealing to buyers. This is easily remedied with air purifiers. You can install and maintain them yourself, just use online air purifier reviews to find ones best suited to your living arrangements. Ionic purifiers will suffice if the occupants don’t have any allergies. However, there are also purifiers that can help prevent pollen-related respiratory issues and ones designed specifically for rooms filled with smoke.
The curb
The walkway to your home is the first thing everyone notices. You should be taking special care of it at all times, but if you haven’t, make sure you give it a complete makeover before selling. First, trim the lawn and then get on to the trees, bushes, and flowers. Make sure there are no branches lying around and that everything looks neat. Clean the drive, replace the welcome mat and if it’s possible – paint the front door. Bright colors (preferably some shade of red) will attract attention to your main entrance. This is a small project that will increase home value. All of this can be done in one afternoon and the paint is the only expense.
Flower baskets
Who doesn’t love a hanging flower basket? It’s easy to make and maintain and it creates a rustic, old-fashioned atmosphere in your yard. You can use any smaller plant you want and baskets can be made from plastic or glazed pottery. The key is to be able to easily attach hooks to them. Avoid plants with large roots and those that need to be watered on a daily basis because you don’t want to create too much unnecessary work. Petunias, lobelias, and fuchsias are probably the best choice.
Bird feeder
A bird feeder is a nice addition to the backyard and it makes the house come alive during the migration season. It can be a pretty simple one or a complicated piece of woodworking depending on your skills. Making one out of a plastic bottle is the easiest solution, but it doesn’t look very nice. Soda bottles, tea cups, and paint cans could also do; you just need to repaint them first and let your artistic side show.
These small projects aren’t that much of a challenge for any handyman, but they make your home appear fresh and classy. These kinds of small touches can mean a lot when you’re trying to increase home value.
This post is a collaborative effort and may contain relative and relatable affiliate links. All opinions are our own and for informational purposes.