Top Eight Ways to Add Value to Your Home

Author: Chris Allard

Buying a house is an opportunity to put down roots and start a new life in your preferred area. However, maybe the place you bought isn’t a forever home, more of a right-now solution. If that’s the case, you might have a plan to sell in a few years once you are ready to move on to the next chapter. Looking around, there are likely a few upgrades you can do to keep your property appealing before you put up the ‘for sale’ sign in the front yard.

When considering how to add value to your home, looking at all aspects of interior and exterior features can help give you ideas about what to do. Let’s look at some of these options together!

Table of Contents

1 Improvements that You Can Tackle in an Afternoon
2 Break out the Brush
3 Declutter and Add Storage
4 The Importance of Lighting
5 Renovations with the Best ROI
6 Consult with a Professional

Improvements that You Can Tackle in an Afternoon

There are several different approaches you can take to tackle your home’s curb appeal, not to mention its interior wow factor. These include the following quick and easy upgrades, among others:

Break out the Brush

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for any room. When deciding on a colour, try a few different swatches before settling on the right shade. Then, take the time to see how the colour looks at varying hours of the day, including when the room is flooded with light and at night when it is lit by interior lighting. Neutrals tend to work with any decor, but you can still have fun with undertones like blue or yellow to bring out your own unique style. To make a space look more modern and sleek, paint one wall in an all-white room in an accent colour. Dark grey tends to be one of the most popular choices.

Declutter and Add Storage

Let’s face it: there are likely a few corners in your home that are “catch-alls” for anything and everything, like the dog’s leash, your keys, and that T-shirt you’ve been looking for. Start by sorting out any items that belong in other rooms, and then assess what’s left. Could this space be organized with more hangers, a shelving unit, or a decorative bin? Simple but effective, these solutions help showcase your home as a clean space where everything has its place.

The Importance of Lighting

Light adds warmth, depth, and interest to a room in a seamless way. This is especially helpful in a room that doesn’t get much natural light from the sun. Consider adding a few kinds of lamps of different sizes with warm-toned light bulbs. Updating ceiling lights can also change the look of a room dramatically. Finally, dimmers and timed plugs can be helpful when you are trying to improve the atmosphere of a room with lighting.

Renovations with the Best ROI

Want to make some bigger changes with a more significant impact? Here are a few suggestions:

Turn Your Attention to the Kitchen

When you think of how to add value to your home, renovations likely spring to mind. Your kitchen is one of the best places to put your money. Whether you plan to take down a wall or are doing a do-it-yourself backsplash along with a cabinet hardware update, such changes can make all the difference in this space. Before jumping onto trends that might leave this room dated, consider classic designs focused on function and style. Choosing energy-efficient and stainless steel appliances is a must, as they create a simple backdrop that can complement all kinds of countertops and cabinet colours.

Put Some Work into the Bathroom

Bathrooms are another type of room that significantly impacts your home’s value. There’s nothing like the appeal of spa-like features or added luxuries like in-floor heating. Updating the vanity and shower or tub can drastically change this room. Ensure that you pick tile, paint, and fixtures that go well together with all kinds of decor styles. If your home has an ensuite or if you plan to build one, consider a tub and shower to create a full four-piece bath. A powder room on the main floor can be a real standout with fun wallpaper and stylish features that help the space feel less cramped.

Exterior Upgrades for Every Yard

Now, what about the great outdoors? Here are some ways to create a green and welcoming personal oasis:

Encompass Space with Fencing

A yard is a big pull for people with kids, dogs, or simply those who enjoy spending time outdoors. Whether you have a large property or are working with a smaller-scale patio, a fence can help define spaces and create contrast amongst the greenery. A perimeter fence that mixes materials like PVC and wood can create a dynamic look with optimal privacy. An iron fence can help define smaller spaces with a sophisticated look without eliminating your view.

Plant and Seed for Prime Landscaping

A beautiful first impression lends immeasurable curb appeal to any home. From a landscaping perspective, a well-manicured lawn, flowers, and plenty of shady trees can really make a difference. Try adding a few perennials, as they will return every year and bring forth blooms that are hard to beat. Trees can take a few years to mature but are a great way to add height and shade to a mainly sunny space. Seeding your lawn is a simple task that can help the grass grow lush and full.

Replace External Doors

Dated doors can cause sealing problems, not to mention ruin the curb appeal you have worked so hard to curate at the front of your home. A brand-new entrance can be just the ticket to enhancing the work you have already done. The same can be said for your garage doors. With many styles available, you can choose to have them match or contrast. You may also wish to update the technical capabilities at some or all doors with smart video doorbells, LED lighting, and/or a garage door opener app.

Consult with a Professional

With access to numerous social media accounts, online videos, and TV shows focused on updating and refreshing your home, trying to decide how to add value to your home can be slightly overwhelming. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional, like a realtor or designer, with questions on where to start. They can help steer you from options that might not have a great payoff, like full room conversions or wall-to-wall carpeting. Since home shows and YouTube videos aren’t necessarily qualifiers for do-it-yourself expertise, you may also want to consult with a contractor on any larger-scale projects.

At Chris Allard, we see first-hand the difference that adding value to your property can make. Home buyers are always in search of move-in-ready properties that they can see themselves in and require minimal work. As mortgage brokers, we can provide future homeowners with the knowledge and tools needed to make well-informed purchase decisions. You wouldn’t tackle taking down a wall in your home without help from a professional, and we believe you don’t have to secure a mortgage alone either. Contact us today to learn more about our services!

Categories

Archives