You should always strike when the iron is hot. Housing prices are going up, the market is getting back on its feet, and investing in your home right now can give you amazing returns in the future. But, you need to be smart about it, you need to make the right choices, and to invest properly. Below you can find a couple of clever ways you can instantly add value to your home.
1. Let the light in
One of the simplest ways you can greatly increase your home’s appeal and value is by getting some light in. There are several ways you can do this. First of all, try to get as much natural light as you can. Maybe installing skylights, sun tubes, or widening your windows can do the trick. Window awnings and even installing actual new windows will allow you to get even more vitamin D in there.
Furthermore, don’t keep the place looking like a dungeon. Even if you can’t get more natural light, set up your lamps, fixtures, wall sconces, do everything you can to keep the place lit.
2. Create space
A key part of any home’s appeal and value is creating a sense of flow. In simpler terms, this means that people can easily move about the house, it means that it’s open and spacious. Even if it isn’t that big, you can do several things to create an illusion of a large and roomy home. For example, removing a kitchen island, getting rid of structurally irrelevant walls, this all leads to setting up an open floor plan. Consider getting more kitchen cabinets to replace your kitchen island, adjust things as needed.
Furthermore, just reconsider how you’ve set up your rooms and furniture. A simple readjustment of the things found in your home can do wonders. Don’t be lazy, invest the time to set things up properly.
3. Proper maintenance
A very simple thing that consistently improves the value of your home (or at the very least does not allow it to drop) is maintenance. Now, we are not talking about upgrades, but rather, simple paint jobs, floor buffing, caring for your appliances, your pipes and foundations. Put in the hours, inspect your gutters and your roof regularly. Contact a good company, like Assured Building and Pest Inspections, and get proper inspections done, both for structural issues and for any pests. Termites can ruin foundations before you even notice, mould is an annoying issue that will just keep coming unless you have the professionals handle it, or unless you nip it in the bud.
4. Green is the way to go
People are becoming more and more aware of the environment, and the impact we have on it. Getting green with your home can make it much more attractive to potential buyers. And even if you don’t have the time or energy to think about the environment, you should know that green homes have lower costs and expenses – the energy savings really add up.
So, there are a couple of things you can do here. Think about investing in solar panels and getting them set up as soon as possible. Getting eco-friendly toilets and sinks can help with saving water and lowering your bills. Energy-efficient and environmentally friendly light bulbs, getting the right insulation work done and just trying to minimize the impact you have on the environment as much as possible will substantially influence the value of your home.
5. Fix up your backyard
Landscaping is a vital part of making your home more beautiful and appealing. First of all, an overgrown and wild backyard and garden will make a lot of potential buyers just turn on their heels and leave. But, if you really want to make an impact, don’t just maintain it, but invest in it. Get some trees in there, or set up some good landscaping work done. Hedges, a nice garden, a little pagoda or summer home, even an outdoor kitchen or fixed barbecue will make your home’s value skyrocket.
Conclusion
If you want to make money, you need to make the proper investment. This can be done either through money or through hard work. No matter if you want to sell your home, or just increase its value, you need to fix it up properly, and invest either money or time. So, get out there and fix up your backyard. Maintain your home thoroughly, try to go green as much as you can, and get some light in.
