It’s every homeowners goal to boost their home’s value—even those homeowners who aren’t looking to sell anytime soon, or ever for that matter. A home is probably the biggest investment a person will make in their lifetime, so it only makes sense that they’ll want to treat it with as much TLC as possible, and to make improvements over time that will continue to increase its value. That being said, whether a homeowner is looking to improve their home for their own sake, or whether they’re looking to sell for a profit, every homeowner can benefit from this list of the top 10 updates that can increase a home’s value.
10. Shrub Appeal
It’s like curb appeal, but concerning your yard. Not only do you want to make sure that your house itself is appealing to look at, but you also want to make sure that everything from your driveway to your front walk to the shrubs beneath your look good. If you have planters out front, paint them. Your mother may have told you to never judge a book by its cover, and while we agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly in most instances, house hunting is not one of them. When prospective homeowners are searching for their new home, they’re always, always going to judge your house by its appearance.
9. Replace Your Furnace
This is not something homeowners typically think of when they’re renovating their homes, but it should be! When you replace an old, worn-out furnace with a new HVAC unit, you’re not only installing a unit that can provide limitless comfort, but you’re installing a unit that can pump out savings as well.
8. Attic Insulation
Does it ever feel as if your gas bill says one thing, but your home says another? The number on your bill is sky high, but your home still feels as cold as Antarctica. That may be because of your attic insulation (or lack there of). Without attic insulation, up to 30% of the warm air your furnace is pumping out is going straight out the window (the attic window). Not only will adding insulation to your attic walls keep your house warm, but it will save you money as well.
1. Brighten Up Your Space
If your home feels like a cave, no one’s going to give it the time of day, much less opt to live in it. A few recessed lights here, a couple of canned lights there, some lighter wall paint, and you’ve significantly increased the value of your home.
6. Update Your Plumbing
One of the main things an appraiser takes into consideration when valuing a home is the plumbing. If your home is full of rusty and broken pipes, your home is going to rate much lower than you would like it to. Invest in new pipes and a good plumber, and they’ll be kind in return.
5. Engineered or Real Wood Floors
Unfortunately, thanks to HGTV and the like, homebuyers are becoming more educated, and most don’t want to waste their time with laminate flooring. If someone is going to invest in a home, they’re going to invest in a home with real finishes. It may cost YOU more to install real or engineered flooring, but the ROI will be well worth it.
4. Get Rid of Dated Features
Paneling and popcorn ceilings are so 1980s, and as everyone knows, the 80s were a hideous era. Don’t fool yourself into thinking your paneling is “retro” or that your popcorn ceilings add “character”—it’s not and they don’t. If you want a “rustic” look, use reclaimed wood on the walls installed horizontally. It looks amazing, and it’s not a hugely expensive project. Also, because it’s “in” right now, it’ll add a ton of value to your home. Looking to add character? Create a wallpapered accent wall, or invest in a fun, funky chandelier.
3. Invest in Your Bathrooms
In my opinion, a nice bathroom can make a world of difference. No one wants to use a gross and grimy bathroom, and they certainly don’t want to lay claim to a gross and grimy bathroom. You don’t need to invest a lot of money into making your bathrooms nice; simply replace old fixtures with new ones, re-grout the shower, add crown molding, freshen up the paint …simple fixes can make even the dingiest of bathrooms like nice and fresh.
2. Basement or Attic Renovation
If you have a big attic or basement, finish it! Not only are you adding an extra room to your home, but also, you’re adding an extra floor. If that doesn’t add value, I don’t know what will. Just make sure that you have a permit for any and all work you do in either of these areas, and that all codes are followed, otherwise your work will have been for naught.
1. Upgrade Your Kitchen
Have you ever heard the saying, “the kitchen is the heart of the home?” Whether you’ve heard the saying before or not, the fact remains that it’s the truth—the kitchen is a home’s epicenter. If you don’t have a ton of resources to spend on home upgrades, we suggest putting everything you’ve got into making your kitchen as nice, functional and warm as possible, as kitchens really can make or break a home.
At Liberty Paint & Construction, LLC, we specialize in painting and remodeling homes in Toledo and the surrounding areas. If you’re looking to increase the value of your home for whatever reason—whether because you’ve lived in it for so long and decided that it’s time, or whether because you’re looking to sell—our team will be more than happy to take on the job! Give us a call at 619-770-9437, or email us at [email protected] for your FREE CONSULTATION AND ESTIMATE.
10. Shrub Appeal
It’s like curb appeal, but concerning your yard. Not only do you want to make sure that your house itself is appealing to look at, but you also want to make sure that everything from your driveway to your front walk to the shrubs beneath your look good. If you have planters out front, paint them. Your mother may have told you to never judge a book by its cover, and while we agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly in most instances, house hunting is not one of them. When prospective homeowners are searching for their new home, they’re always, always going to judge your house by its appearance.
9. Replace Your Furnace
This is not something homeowners typically think of when they’re renovating their homes, but it should be! When you replace an old, worn-out furnace with a new HVAC unit, you’re not only installing a unit that can provide limitless comfort, but you’re installing a unit that can pump out savings as well.
8. Attic Insulation
Does it ever feel as if your gas bill says one thing, but your home says another? The number on your bill is sky high, but your home still feels as cold as Antarctica. That may be because of your attic insulation (or lack there of). Without attic insulation, up to 30% of the warm air your furnace is pumping out is going straight out the window (the attic window). Not only will adding insulation to your attic walls keep your house warm, but it will save you money as well.
1. Brighten Up Your Space
If your home feels like a cave, no one’s going to give it the time of day, much less opt to live in it. A few recessed lights here, a couple of canned lights there, some lighter wall paint, and you’ve significantly increased the value of your home.
6. Update Your Plumbing
One of the main things an appraiser takes into consideration when valuing a home is the plumbing. If your home is full of rusty and broken pipes, your home is going to rate much lower than you would like it to. Invest in new pipes and a good plumber, and they’ll be kind in return.
5. Engineered or Real Wood Floors
Unfortunately, thanks to HGTV and the like, homebuyers are becoming more educated, and most don’t want to waste their time with laminate flooring. If someone is going to invest in a home, they’re going to invest in a home with real finishes. It may cost YOU more to install real or engineered flooring, but the ROI will be well worth it.
4. Get Rid of Dated Features
Paneling and popcorn ceilings are so 1980s, and as everyone knows, the 80s were a hideous era. Don’t fool yourself into thinking your paneling is “retro” or that your popcorn ceilings add “character”—it’s not and they don’t. If you want a “rustic” look, use reclaimed wood on the walls installed horizontally. It looks amazing, and it’s not a hugely expensive project. Also, because it’s “in” right now, it’ll add a ton of value to your home. Looking to add character? Create a wallpapered accent wall, or invest in a fun, funky chandelier.
3. Invest in Your Bathrooms
In my opinion, a nice bathroom can make a world of difference. No one wants to use a gross and grimy bathroom, and they certainly don’t want to lay claim to a gross and grimy bathroom. You don’t need to invest a lot of money into making your bathrooms nice; simply replace old fixtures with new ones, re-grout the shower, add crown molding, freshen up the paint …simple fixes can make even the dingiest of bathrooms like nice and fresh.
2. Basement or Attic Renovation
If you have a big attic or basement, finish it! Not only are you adding an extra room to your home, but also, you’re adding an extra floor. If that doesn’t add value, I don’t know what will. Just make sure that you have a permit for any and all work you do in either of these areas, and that all codes are followed, otherwise your work will have been for naught.
1. Upgrade Your Kitchen
Have you ever heard the saying, “the kitchen is the heart of the home?” Whether you’ve heard the saying before or not, the fact remains that it’s the truth—the kitchen is a home’s epicenter. If you don’t have a ton of resources to spend on home upgrades, we suggest putting everything you’ve got into making your kitchen as nice, functional and warm as possible, as kitchens really can make or break a home.
At Liberty Paint & Construction, LLC, we specialize in painting and remodeling homes in Toledo and the surrounding areas. If you’re looking to increase the value of your home for whatever reason—whether because you’ve lived in it for so long and decided that it’s time, or whether because you’re looking to sell—our team will be more than happy to take on the job! Give us a call at 619-770-9437, or email us at [email protected] for your FREE CONSULTATION AND ESTIMATE.