Being a homeowner can be both fun and stressful at times. It’s great to know that you have your own space, one you can invest in for years to come. However, keeping up with changing municipal codes, repairing things around the house and even the stress of paying your mortgage and homeowners insurance can wreak havoc on your mental state.
All this aside, there are still a variety of ways you can add value to your property without stressing about the bank or your DIY skills. And, once you do polish up and beautify the home don’t forget the critical step of getting professional real estate photography so that you can capture the true elegance, value, and unique elements of your home, your selling price will thank you. Here are some sneaky ways you can easily add value to your property.
1. Upgrade the cabinets at least once
Cabinets might seem like a huge undertaking, but they’re actually one of the fastest ways to add value to your property. Incorporating additional and unique storage solutions, such as a spice rack or a dishware organizer, will only add value to your kitchen.
If you don’t have the budget to upgrade the cabinets as a whole, switching out the cabinet hardware or even painting them will go a long way to making your kitchen add more value to your home. For those who are looking to still replace their cabinets but want to stay on budget, RTA cabinets are a great solution!
2. Upgrade the bushes in your front yard
It’s called “curb appeal” for a reason, and it’s actually pretty easy to raise it. Upgrade the bushes in your front yard and mow the grass consistently to increase the curb appeal of your home. A home with good curb appeal is more likely to sell, but it also keeps your home the freshest and most valuable on the block.
Switch out the bushes each season with different perennials or seasonal blooms that attract bees and birds to your space. It’ll give your front yard a refreshed look throughout the year.
3. Paint your siding
Painting your siding – or even your shutters – can instantly transform your home from drab to beautiful. It’ll shine like a brand new home with just a simple fresh coat of paint. It’s an easy way to keep your space valuable and looking great. You’ll be the envy of the entire neighborhood!
4. Change the lighting in the bathroom.
Say goodbye to the decades-old bathroom light. Instead, upgrade the lighting in your bathroom to be more unique. Whether you choose recessed lighting for a modern look or a set of globed sconces for an Instagram-worthy reno, you can find the perfect light fixture for your bathroom.
From mixed metals to different glass shapes, you’ll know the perfect one when you see it. A simple change to the lighting can change the entire vibe of your bathroom, making it much more valuable than before.
5. Install a smart thermostat
Smart thermostats combine all the best of technology– voice activation, app integration and sensors that determine what the temperature in your home should be based on the time of day or the overall temperature outside and inside.
A smart thermostat is one of the first things you can install in your home to secretly add value. All it takes is a few tricks with some tools and you’re good to go. Bonus points if you have a voice-activated assistant, such as Nest or Alexa.
6. Powerwash your driveway
One area homeowners often neglect is the driveway. Regardless of the material your driveway is made from, it can use a good powerwash from time to time. Powerwashing gets rid of built-up dirt and grime, which can make your driveway look dingy and unkempt.
After power washing, it’ll look like you just laid the concrete down. You can also powerwash the sidewalk in front of your home to make it look sparkling clean. It’s a great way to get rid of the grass that clumps there after weeks of mowing the lawn.
7. Paint your walls
Painting the inside of your home will add extra value to it. Over time, our walls get nicked, scratched and even chipped from furniture and the home’s inhabitants. Painting your walls a fresh, crisp neutral will make it look beautiful and instantly add value.
You don’t have to paint them all at once, though. Painting one room at a time will help keep that overbearing paint smell down, and it’s perfect to do as the kids move out or you switch out furniture.
8. Upgrade your living room furniture
Speaking of furniture, why not upgrade your living room furniture? Even couches have a lifespan, and once those couch cushions stop returning to their full height when you get up, it’s time to upgrade to a new living room set. If a new set is out of your budget, simply rearranging the furniture in a new way can make your home more appealing to buyers.
9. Create an outdoor entertainment space
You don’t have to hire a landscaper for this. Instead, hang up some string lights and add patio furniture set with some fun seat cushions and voila! You have an outdoor entertaining space.
Outdoor entertaining spaces are easy selling points for potential homeowners, and having one already created is one way that buyers can envision themselves in the home. If you have the budget, creating a brick patio or adding pavers between areas of your backyard can also add value to your home.
10. Make the laundry room a real room
Your laundry room should be more than just the space for the washer and dryer. Add a set of laundry room cabinets, a shelf to fold clothes and even some racks to place hangers for air-dried items. Shelves for storage and organization will turn your laundry room into a functional space that instantly adds value to your home.
Adding value to your home can seem like a difficult task, especially if you don’t know where to start. It’s more simple than you think! With these sneaky tricks, you’ll be surprised how much value you’ve added to your space once you’re finished.
Bonus Tip: Keep Your Home Pest-Free
A pest infestation can damage your home’s structure and make it unattractive to potential buyers. Pest-proof your home using caulks or sealants to fill in cracks and gaps that may serve as entry points. For openings that can’t be closed completely, such as crawl space vents or chimneys, cover them with heavy-duty poultry wire netting to prevent small critters from entering