10 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Home’s Value

In 2022, over 5.95 million homes were sold in the United States. Selling your home can be a big undertaking, but with the proper preparation, your home will stand out in a sea of listings.

If you’re planning to sell soon, you’ll want to get the most out of your property so you can move on to your next adventure. Not sure where to start? The following list of 10 things you can do to improve your home’s value will get you well on your way.

1. Boost Your Curb Appeal

First impressions are crucial when it comes to your home. The exterior will likely be the first photo featured on the listings and many interested buyers may drive by to see the home. To make a great first impression, there are plenty of small changes that make a big impact on curb appeal. 

Landscaping

Landscaping adds interest to your front yard and can increase your home value without much effort. Start by keeping your grass well-maintained with regular cuts. Another easy way to keep your exterior looking its best is to pull any weeds and add fresh mulch to your flower beds.

If you want to take your landscaping to the next level, plant low-maintenance flowers or bushes. Potential home buyers will love the elevated look while feeling confident they can keep up with it on their own. Trees increase  property value, so if your property does not have one already, consider planting one.

Lighting

Outdoor lighting is a simple feature that will attract buyers. When front walkways and porches are well-lit, it increases feelings of security. Other outdoor lighting upgrades are pathway lighting, changing old porch bulbs, or motion-activated spotlights near the driveway.

2. Bathroom Upgrades

Even minor bathroom upgrades can make a world of difference if you want to sell your home. These minor updates are often inexpensive and quick to complete.

Clean the grout lines on your tile, remove rust or hard water lines, and add a fresh coat of paint for simple upgrades. Want to take it to the next level? Modernize with a dual flusher on your toilet, a new vanity, and faucet fixtures.

3. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Energy-efficient options are becoming more important to the next wave of home buyers. Not only are energy-efficient homes better for the environment, but they can help lower energy expenses.

There are several ways to make your home more energy efficient. Improve your home’s ability to maintain its temperature by upgrading any older windows and sealing any air leaks. You can use weather stripping around the frames to seal these leaks.

If you have an older thermostat, consider upgrading to a smart thermostat to give better control over energy consumption. Any old incandescent lightbulbs should be replaced with halogen or LED models for longer-lasting light and energy efficiency.

4. Stay on Top of Maintenance

Staying on top of home repairs is one of the best ways to increase the value of your home. If all a potential buyer sees are repairs that need doing, they may opt to buy a home with less work instead.

By keeping up with home maintenance before you’re ready to put it on the market, you’ll be one step ahead and home buyers will appreciate not having to worry about doing it themselves for a while. Fix any leaks, clean out the gutters, change out filters, inspect HVAC systems to ensure they’re in working order, repair any holes in the wall, and regularly clean the floors. . 

Don’t skip out on regular cleaning while you prepare your home for sale. This essential cleaning checklist can help you stay on task.  

5. Open Up Some Space

Open-concept homes are popular in today’s market. They attract more buyers and, in turn, yield a higher return. If you’re interested in doing big upgrades, look around and see if there are any ways to open up the space, particularly between the kitchen and living rooms. Any walls that aren’t load-bearing can be removed to create a more open floor plan.

6. Invest in the Details

Small details are often the things that make one house stand out when compared to another. Take the time to make minor upgrades that will capture their attention. These changes boost the value of your home and give it some character.

Fixtures

Fixtures are an easy upgrade that can transform a space. There are a variety of ways to update fixtures in your home. Add in faucets or shower heads, upgrade cabinet hardware, replace outdated door knobs, and add more modern light fixtures.

Crown Molding and Trim

Many realtors agree that crown molding adds value to your home and gives more character to buyers. Crown molding is a classic look that also hides any imperfections between the walls and the ceiling in older homes.

Another thing to pay attention to in your home is the trim. Baseboards, window casings, and door trims add style, hide seams, and freshen the interior with minimal work.

Lighting

A well-lit room makes a home feel more cheerful, airy, and clean. Replace any lightbulbs that are out, find ways to maximize the natural light coming in, and update light fixtures.

New light fixtures are an excellent way to modernize a room while making the interior feel more expensive. They can be a way to add character to a room without redoing the entire interior.

7. Prioritize Kitchen Upgrades

If you can only pick one task to focus on for home upgrades, your kitchen should be number one on your list. Kitchen renovations are one of the best ways to increase the value of your home. Many potential buyers are willing to pay more for high-end finishes and features.

Start by updating your cabinets with a fresh coat of paint and new hardware. If they’re in rougher shape, consider replacing them. If you have laminate countertops, switch them out with quartz, soapstone, or granite to guarantee a higher return.

Consider adding an island if your kitchen lacks counter space. This is a feature that many buyers are looking for in their kitchens. Tie it together with a new backsplash or coat of paint.

Unsure where to start? Take a look at the predicted trends in kitchen design. 

8. Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint

Painting your home is an easy way to boost the value of your home without breaking the bank. When looking to sell, it’s always best to go more neutral in your paint colors with palettes of white, gray, or beige. Vibrant colors may deter buyers if it’s not something they enjoy. Many buyers are looking for something move-in ready without having to paint themselves.

Check out these popular paint colors recommended for homes on the market. 

9. Replace Your Garage Door

Aside from the house itself, the garage is one of the first things people notice when they pull up to your property. If it is outdated or not in the best shape, it could work against you and decrease the value of your home, regardless of how anything else looks. It may even deter potential buyers from requesting a viewing. 

New garage doors have several benefits that appeal to buyers. An updated garage door increases safety and energy efficiency, improves curb appeal, and requires less maintenance.

10. Fix Up Your Floors

When someone steps into your home, the floors are often the first thing they notice. Common requests for people shopping for homes are wood floors in the primary rooms instead of carpet.

If you do have carpet, make sure it’s free of stains and cleaned. Budget permitting, you may consider installing new hardwood floors to replace the carpet instead.

If your home already has wood floors, have them buffed and polished to remove any scratches or imperfections. To brighten them up or make the color more modern, refinish them with a new coat of stain.

Improve Your Home’s Value Before it Hits the Market

Selling your home can be stressful, but there are plenty of ways to improve your home’s value before it hits the market. Whether you’re ready to tackle full renovations or want to make budget-friendly updates, you have options.

Does working with a realtor to sell your home sound like a lot to take on? If you’re local to the Memphis area, consider a cash offer on your home from We Buy Houses Memphis. We’ll offer you a fair price for your home with no hidden fees.

Ready to receive an offer on your home? Contact us today.