Bring on the Paint
One of the best and most cost-effective ways to increase the value of your home is to paint it. If you were to offer a fresh coat of color before showing your home, it will give your house a clean and updated look. Painting fits into a limited budget and you can even paint your home yourself if you are up for the project. You may not want to limit your painting to just walls; painting doors and cabinets are another way to increase the value of your home. One tip is to go for neutral colors, these are much more appealing to home buyers. The four main areas you should target for painting in your home are the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
Flooring
Switching up the flooring is another way to increase the overall value and appeal of your house. Old and stained carpets can be a huge turn-off for home buyers. If your carpets just need a refresh, try getting them cleaned before showing your house, it could improve the overall look and smell of your home. Some carpet is just too old and worn to save, so at that point, it might be time to get them replaced. If you do replace them, make sure the carpets are consistent throughout the house. Although carpets might be more cost-effective, if you want to increase your home value, consider adding hardwood flooring. It is possible to leave the bedrooms carpeted but most buyers love seeing hardwood floors in the main home areas including the kitchen, hallways, and living room. Consistency is the same for hardwood flooring, you should not have different wood patterns on your floors, they should be similar so as to be complementary throughout the home.
Landscaping
Tidying up the landscaping in your front and back yards will instantly add curb appeal to your home, and may attract more potential buyers. This does not mean you need to add a pool or some elaborate fountain, simply adding visually pleasing plants and flowers to your yard will make your home more inviting. Give some extra care to your lawn if it looks patchy and dead; having a green and well-kept lawn can increase the value of your house. The best part about landscaping is it can be cost-effective, particularly if you do it yourself. Mowing your lawn and gardening can be fun and easy tasks for summer that can raise the bar on your home's look and worth!
Get your Home Inspected
Many times the real improvements a home needs may not be seen by the average homeowner's eye. If you're considering selling your home or starting any large home improvement projects, always get your house inspected first. A professional home inspector can discover hidden problems in your home that could soon become very costly issues. These issues may include water leaks, outdated electrical systems, mold, deteriorated flooring, and more. A home inspection is a standard step in the home buying process for most and discovering too many problems can result in buyers walking away. Making sure your house is in a good safe condition before showing it on the market is a must.
Lighting
Lighting can have a big impact on a home. Make sure bulbs are new and consistent in color. You may want to replace an outdated fixture in the front entry or in the dining room. Take some steps to let natural light into a room by removing large drapes and replacing them with open shutters. This can help to make your home appear larger than it is. Buyers will notice your windows so consider painting or cleaning up your window frames if they look worn or dirty, this will give your windows a more fresh and updated look.