Five ways to increase the value of your home in today's competitive real estate market

Photo: Binyamin Mellish/PEXELS

SNS - There are many ways to increase the value of your home without making any significant changes, regardless of whether you want to sell or rent. If your property is in good overall condition and has been well-maintained, you should be able to get by with just a few quick changes. For instance, a fresh coat of paint and some yard upkeep are the usual things home do. Furthermore, these home improvements won't just make your house more appealing to potential buyers. These improvements will probably also raise its value, putting extra money in your pocket when selling.

So whether you want to sell now or later, these improvements can be a wise investment in your future. And while every home is different, there are simple ideas to increase the value of your home that can apply to any property. Moreover, they are also simple to make and won’t cost you a fortune.

Repair and replace

The little flaws in your home that you may have become accustomed to will be evident to buyers viewing it. Therefore, if you're considering selling your property in the future, look over it thoroughly and develop a list of all the little improvements you want to make before putting it on the market. It is not unusual for your home to have tiny issues in some parts, but you can quickly remedy them.

For instance, if there are broken lightbulbs, be sure to change them. If a faucet is leaking, replace it. It could be necessary to refinish hardwood floors, touch up moldings or door frames, or even replace them entirely. Making a good first impression on potential buyers requires little effort. So ensure to test the functionality of the smoke detectors, windows, drawers, and toilets. You will thank yourself later for doing so.

Repaint and refresh

A new coat of paint is one of the fastest ways to transform and refresh a house. One or two coats of paint will quickly revive the appearance of your property's interior or exterior walls if they start to seem dull, enhancing the impression your home gives. Of course, repainting the outside can be costly. However, this is typically a wise investment because potential buyers would use an exterior that needs work as a significant negotiating point. Also, when choosing the paint, stick to neutral hues. Bright paint or patterned wallpaper may be to your liking, but it might be a significant turnoff if it doesn't appeal to your potential buyers.

At the same time, when repainting yourself, focus on one room at a time. Pick a warm, dry day and relocate your furniture to a storage facility or your new home. It might be a challenge, but you can easily find the help you need with moving professionals in Chicago and in other major cities if you are planning to move to or from Urbana-Champaign. With the help of experts, your task will become a piece of cake. And as soon as you have the furniture out of the way, you can repaint and refresh your home freely.

Declutter and depersonalize

To determine the value of a property, buyers must view the space they will get. They want to examine the walls and floors, which can be challenging if most of them are covered with your possessions. You are selling a way of life and a dream when you put your home on the market. Therefore, buyers need to visualize the rooms and see themselves living there. As a result, eliminate all the clutter crowding the area and blocking the view. Go from room to room and make an inventory of your belongings. Then, sort the items in piles for keeping, donating, or throwing away.

At the same time, since no two people have the same taste in design and, as we mentioned, buyers need to be able to see themselves living in your home, you might want to take down very personal items. It doesn't always happen for something to increase the value of your home just because you like it or it defines you. So be very careful with what you leave in sight.

Improve the curb appeal

Buyers appreciate a nicely groomed yard; if you have one, it doesn't cost much to update yours. A home's yard is a good indicator of the overall level of work put into the property. Debris, unkept gardens, or messy yards can quickly turn buyers away. But you can improve your yard by adding plants, rocks, bushes, ground cover, trees, and mulch. That will make it seem attractive and new. A nice yard will encourage buyers to see themselves relaxing outside throughout the year, which will aid in the sale of the property.

On the other hand, because some buyers will only have the time to visit at night, pay attention to yard illumination. You can give your yard a modern and elegant look using outdoor illumination, such as solar lamps, path lights, wall lanterns, and fairy lights. Make smart investments

Our homes are growing smarter as the planet embraces the digital revolution. According to recent studies, almost all homes currently have at least one smart gadget. Smart doorbells, thermostats, locks, and lightbulbs are a few examples of such devices that you can operate using your phone or even your voice. Therefore, if you currently don't have any smart technology in your home, try investing in some, as it can offer a great return on investment. And since these gadgets are becoming inexpensive, you don’t even have to break the bank, but they can help you increase the value of your property. Additionally, you'll get to use your smart technology before selling your home.

Final words

There are many more ways to increase the value of your home. However, the ones we mentioned are popular, cheap, and require little effort. So if you plan on selling your home now or in the future, use these great ideas to make your sale successful and rewarding. Your buyers will be happy and satisfied with the property they bought, and you will have more money in your pocket.