If you are planning to put your home on the market, it can pay off to update your home to maximize your equity. There are many techniques and quick home projects you can do to make your home as desirable as possible. From updating the lighting in your bathroom to re-doing your floors, we’ve compiled a quick guide for maximizing your home’s market value.
#1 Upgrade Your Kitchen
Kitchens are one of the most important spaces in the house and are often a deciding point for potential home buyers.
Make sure that yours is in tip-top shape.
- New Appliances: New appliances is one of the fastest ways to increase the value of your home. They’re an investment but if you’re looking to sell your house it is usually worth it. People looking to buy a new home see new appliances as a huge selling point because it means that they don’t have to go out and purchase appliances themselves. It also simplifies the moving process because they don’t have to coordinate these huge items.
- New Flooring: Floors tend to take a beating. We step on them, drop things on them, and they definitely can show the evidence of it. Kitchen floors especially are prone to stains and dents because of cooking tools and food. If your floor is looking a little run-down it might be time to invest in new flooring to give the room an update. New tiles, natural stone or hardwood flooring is a great place to start.
- Repaint: This Is one of the easiest ways to make your kitchen look bright and clean. As is the case with the floors, kitchen walls tend to undergo a lot of damage and stains because of the cooking process. A fresh coat of paint will cover any food stains that have occurred over the years while brightening up the space.
- Backsplash: Installing a new backsplash is a great way to add a bit of character and charm to the kitchen. Not only are they practical and necessary but they can add colour and depth.
#2 Lower Your Home’s Energy Costs
Another great way to increase the value of your home while also doing your part in conservation is to invest in appliances and fixes which will lower your home’s energy costs. This includes everything from cellular window treatments to fixing drafty windows and low-flush toilets to upgrading your furnace. It will reduce your own bills while also having positive green effects.
#3 Improve your Bathroom
A nice bathroom remodelling will also increase the value of your home. So many bathrooms are treated as an afterthought, but a little bit of effort can go a long way in terms of value.
- Update Lighting: Good lighting is important in a bathroom because it is necessary when grooming. If lighting is an issue in the washroom start by trying a different wattage or type of lightbulb. Once you’ve figured out what works best for you, look into getting new fixtures if you so desire. They come in a variety of styles and achieve a wide range of affects as a result. For instance, metallic fixtures seem modern, while porcelain creates a softer space. Overhead lighting is the standard but lighting around the vanity mirror can achieve a nice effect.
- Grout: Often homeowners overlook grout when they are updating or cleaning their bathrooms but be sure not to make this mistake yourself. Old or dirty grout might not be immediately noticeable but it will dull the look of the overall space. The white appearance after cleaning or putting in new grout will noticeably brighten the whole area.
- New Toilet: If you’re looking to upgrade your washroom, look into installing a low water volume, eco-friendly toilet. It is a small way to contribute to conservation initiatives while also lowering the home’s water usage.
#4 Paint the Walls
This is often the first thing people do when renovating their home to increase the value and there is no mystery why this is the case; repainting the walls of a room can have a drastic effect on the look and feel of a space with relatively little cost and effort. The key is to make smart decisions regarding colour and tone.
- White and Light Colours: Lighter colours are ideal for a small space because they make it seem bigger, airy, and less cramped. This effect is most dramatic with white, but it can often seem cold and stark. An off-white tone can be more comfortable for a home.
- Bright Colours: These are recommended in a larger room that is used for entertainment. They create a dynamic environment but can be overwhelming in smaller spaces.
- Soft Colours: Soft and relaxing colours should be used in a bedroom. Anything too bright will not let your brain relax in the same way that soft colours will.
#5 Install Hardwood Floors
Hardwood is one of the most desired materials for flooring. It is durable and creates a welcoming environment. It is a classic floor that has never gone out of style. These are just a few of the reasons that people love it so much. This popularity also means that it can increase the value of your home significantly if installed. There are a number of different species, colours, and grains that can be taken into consideration by interested homeowners. You can learn more by simply visiting your local hardwood store.
Conclusion
There are a number of methods available for increasing your home’s value prior to putting it on the market. Many of them require little effort and cost on your part so there is no excuse to skip them! Happy house-hunting.