Easy Home Improvement Ideas That increase your Home’s value

 If you’re getting your home ready to sell or just want to get it back to looking its best, here is a whole series of things you can do from free, to cost-effective, to possibly pricey that will move your home into the sold column.

Pressure Washing your Entrance, walkways, Decks, and Driveway

Pressure washing is probably the shortest path to increasing the perceived value of your home on this list because of how quick and dramatic the results can be. Blowing mildew off siding, dirt off a garage floor, moss off a brick walkway, etc. does wonders. On the outside don’t stop at just the house, feel free to pressure wash all your walkways and decks or patios. If your driveway has stains try removing them with a grease-cutting agent followed by a power washing. Not only does pressure washing rapidly improve the appearance of your home it also helps remove build-ups of mold, mildew, and dirt that can damage your home’s exterior.

Interior or Exterior Paint Job

One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to increase the value of your home is to repaint the exterior. The return on investment with a simple paint job is worth the cost whether it’s an interior or exterior repainting. A fresh paint job in a market-pleasing color is one of the first things buyers notice when looking for a new home. Giving your home a clean, cared-for look in shades that aren’t unique to just your personal taste pays huge dividends.

If You’re Thinking of Selling Try Decluttering and Deep Cleaning

Let’s face it, everyone has some things in their home they could do without. By removing personal pictures, treadmills, bookcases, shelves filled with knickknacks, etc. you make your home look larger, less personalized, and easier to envision as a place a buyer might consider calling home.

Couple a decluttering with a serious cleaning and you can increase the perceived value of your home and command a higher price. Nothing turns a home sale into a distress sale more than a house that appears dirty and neglected. Start by throwing out junk, cleaning out the basement and garage, steam cleaning carpets, washing windows, etc. and you will be on the right track. If you have empty plant pots in the yard, a pile of old firewood, or dilapidated lawn furniture you need to plan a dump run to make the exterior look clean as well. The two types of rooms in your house that need to be immaculate are kitchens and bathrooms.

Also, Trim the Hedges, and Clean Up Yard Debris.

This is also extremely easy and it delivers a quick return. Trimming overgrown hedges adds instant order and curb appeal to your home. Getting the lawn in order right before an open house is also a must-do activity. Any old piles of leaves or branches should also be removed as well.

You are also better off cutting shrubs out at ground level if they are completely dead rather than leaving them. Remember that looking “under-landscaped” is better than neglected landscaping. 

Replacing Outdated or Mismatched Appliances

Buyers are looking for modern appliances in a kitchen like glass top stoves, refrigerators with French doors, and built-in ice makers. They also expect that the appliances will be the same color and not mismatched with a black dishwasher next to a white refrigerator.

If your kitchen is home to dated appliances from multiple makers you might consider replacing the stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator with new ones that are all similar in appearance or from the same maker. Keep all the documentation and warranties and make a point of sharing the fact that they are under warranty with a realtor.

This may not be the most inexpensive suggestion on the list but you may get a deal if you buy multiple appliances at the same time from the same store. You will also be removing a common objection from potential buyers. The goal is for the buyer to envision moving in without having to immediately spend money.

Increase and Expanding Your Useable Space

If you have a basement that can easily be framed and sheetrocked, maybe with an easily installed hung ceiling, you will be turning a utilitarian storage space into an extra room. On the exterior, adding a deck will also add immediate entertaining space and value to your home.

With options ranging from pressure washing and painting on the low end to finishing a basement on the high end, there are a whole host of options available for you to consider.

If you’re interested in pressure washing or painting to score some of the quickest wins with your home’s value, schedule a free estimate from CertaPro of West Rochester NY today. We offer a range of painting and home improvement services that can’t help but add value to your home.