Whether you’re looking at putting your home on the market or just thinking about selling it in the future, it’s wise to be aware of what you can do to increase the value of your home in a general sense, and which things you can actually do yourself with a budget in mind. At this point most folks have heard about curb appeal, and the benefit of making your house look great on the outside, but how it looks on the inside is of course also a major consideration.
Selling a home can be an exciting life step, especially if you’re expecting to sell for more than initially purchased. However, there are likely to be a few things you’ll need to tweak before putting it on the market. From conveyancing solicitors to valuers, there are several people you’ll need to involve in the selling of your home, at a cost, so it’s often quite nice to undertake the renovations yourself to go easy on your budget and increase your potential profit. DIY projects can help dramatically increase the value of your home, as well as making the property feel well cared for and even brand-new.
We’ve come up with some simple and cost-effective DIY projects that will help you add value to your home. Let’s get started..........
Paint the Interior
One of the simplest DIY projects that will increase the value of your home, is redecorating the interior. Adding a lick of paint to the walls of your home will make them look clean and fresh and help to attract potential buyers. This is especially necessary if the walls haven’t been painted in a while and have scratches or stains on them!
When choosing a paint color, it would be wise to stick to neutral colors, particularly if you’re hoping to mix up the furniture too. What’s more, colours like white or beige can make rooms look larger, something that most potential buyers will see as a bonus.
Paint or Clean the Exterior
Depending on how old your property is, it might be time to give the exterior some TLC as well. Before considering painting, it would be worth trying to power wash the exterior. It’ll take less time and be far more cost-effective than purchasing paint. If power washing doesn’t clean it up as you’d hoped, then opt to paint the entire property but look online for the best deals. And of course don't neglect the roof, which is one of the most important parts of a home! Clean gutters and make any necessary repairs and even consider getting a home warranty with roof coverage to be on the safe side after all your hard work!
Replace Home Fixtures
When selling your home and moving furniture out, it’s easy to forget the little things which get left behind, such as doorknobs, plug socket covers, curtain rods and light fixtures. Even if you’re still living in the house, replacing these small items could increase the value and look of your home. The fixtures could make all the difference, even at a low price, and represent a clean and updated feel. Contemporary gold nobs or even something sleek and modern like leather could be just the look your potential buyer happens to love!
Update the Kitchen
Did you know that kitchen upgrades are known as the best way to add worth to your property, with up to 12% additional value after a revamp? There are many ways to upgrade your kitchen to add value to your property, such as changing cabinets, purchasing new or used appliances, and/or upgrading fixtures such as lights, knobs, or handles. And don't forget the well place gorgeous cutting board or some sleek shelves!
Likewise to painting the interior of your home, you can easily improve the look of kitchen cabinets by painting or replacing them. This will help the house to look modern and tasteful to suit a wider audience. It doesn’t have to be expensive either; you can choose to install second-hand cabinets and refurbish them in your spare time.
If you want to be cost-effective, simply staining wooden cabinets or giving them a fresh slick of paint will help to brighten your kitchen. If your walls are white, you can get creative with your cabinets and choose a bold colour, but make sure it really works before going to town!
Freshen the Front Door
The front door, along with the exterior of the house, is the first thing people will see when they visit your home. If your door is broken or scruffy it can impact people’s first opinions, including potential buyers and valuers of the property. Investing in a stylish door or giving the current door a new coat of paint could dramatically change the outside look.
Tidy the Garden
This might seem like a no brainer, but when we talk about tidying the garden, we mean sprucing the garden right up. Make sure the grass is cut, weed any unwanted plants that are out of place, power wash the patio and potentially add a decking space. The smallest changes such as potting a few new plants around your garden could help to make your house more sellable.
In fact, cleaning up your garden and giving it a makeover could add up to 10% on a property’s value. Sounds worth it, right?
Do You Want to Increase the Value of Your Home Through DIY?
Increasing the value of your home doesn’t have to be an expensive or complicated process. Tasks can be made simple enough to undertake yourself without needing to pay others for their costly services. If you’re struggling to find enough time, why not get your friends and family to help out? Don’t be afraid to ask around for suggestions and research ideas online. It should be a fun process as well as an investment opportunity, so go into the projects with an open mind, and be prepared to take on any task. Good luck!
