If you’re planning to sell your house in the near future, sprucing it up can add value and help your property stand out from others on the market. But deciding which upgrades are worth your sweat equity is tricky, and can depend on several factors, including what other homeowners have done, your local market and the style of your neighborhood.
If your home has wood floors, sanding and refinishing is one of the best ways to refresh them. Buyers will pay a premium for hardwoods, and the cost of refinishing is much less than installing new flooring.
Replacing windows is a cost-effective way to improve your home’s energy efficiency, especially if you live in a colder climate. Plus, new Energy Star-rated windows can qualify you for a tax credit.
While a complete kitchen remodel can add the most to your resale price, it’s not always feasible. A more budget-friendly alternative is to paint your cabinets, re-grout tile or install new fixtures. These small fixes can have a big impact, and are easy for a buyer to maintain.
The bathroom is another popular area where you can recoup your investment by making simple improvements. Swapping out dated fixtures and adding mirrors can instantly brighten up the space. And if your tub is outdated, you can save money by re-caulking or re-glazing it instead of replacing it entirely.
Replacing a bathroom sink faucet, shower head and towel bars can also give your bathroom a face-lift for under $200. Decorative accents like new toilet paper holders and doorknobs are inexpensive and add visual appeal, but keep the look consistent throughout the entire house for the best results.
Adding trim around doors and windows is an inexpensive and effective way to make your home feel more finished, and it’s easy to do yourself with off-the-rack moldings from your local home improvement center. You can even DIY crown molding for a deluxe, custom look.
A fresh coat of paint will remove dirt, marks and stains, and can transform the look of a room. If your walls need more than a single coat, consider hiring a professional to minimize the amount of time and expense spent on the project.
Many home improvements can be expensive, but not all will add value. It’s important to prioritize those projects that will earn you the highest return on your investment when you sell. Avoid completing projects that are too personalized or that go beyond the style of the surrounding homes, as they may be off-putting to potential buyers.
A fresh coat of paint, re-grouting tile and power washing your exterior are all cheap and simple updates that can boost your home’s curb appeal, increase its value and make it easier to sell. With a little sweat equity and some DIY skills, you can upgrade your home without going into debt or ransacking your savings. If you’re ready to sell your house, contact a real estate agent for more information about home improvements that can help it reach its maximum resale value.