Thursday, November 5, 2015

7 Simple Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home



Unless you have a luxury shoe habit that rivals Carrie Bradshaw’s (who needs 400K in shoes?), your home is probably the most valuable thing you own. But just because it’s already worth a lot doesn’t mean you can’t bump up the value a few more notches. Whether you’re planning to sell in the near future – or you just want to grow your investment – these seven easy adjustments will make your home worth more money!

1. Hire the Right Person for the Job
When you're hiring a contractor to care for your home, you're basically putting your biggest asset in the hands of someone else. Make sure it's the right contractor by using Angie's List. By taking the time to find a reputable contractor, you'll ensure that your home is up to snuff, which will save you money in the long run and increase the value of your home.

2. Inspect Early and Often
When prospective buyers get close to pulling the trigger, one of the first things they’ll do is have your home professionally inspected. If any nasty surprises are uncovered – such as mold or water damage – things are going to change. At best, you’ll have to lower your asking price. There’s also the possibility that the buyer will take their business elsewhere and simply disappear in a puff of smoke. Avoid this problem by inspecting your house regularly! A few important areas to check are your basement, attic and bathrooms.

3. Add Extra Seating
This one is so simple that a lot of people don’t even think of it! By adding some chairs and a table to an open part of your house, you instantly create a second dining or seating area. The furniture helps show the potential of the space, which can translate to a higher perceived value to the buyer. This is especially helpful for outdoor areas, such as your deck or patio.

4. Paint Your Cabinets
Replacing your entire kitchen-cabinet setup can be expensive and time-consuming, but a fresh coat of paint can accomplish almost the same thing! Not only will this hide any scratches your cabinets may have picked up over time, it will give your kitchen a new look, too. For more places around the house that can benefit from a coat of paint, read: Paint: It’s Not Just for Walls.

5. Use Potted Plants
A beautiful, lush garden on either side of the front door is great, but it’s not always feasible. If you don’t have the time to let your green thumb thrive, try placing little groups of potted plants on your front porch, instead. Your curb appeal will get an instant upgrade, but you won’t have to hire a part-time gardener to handle the upkeep.

6. When In Doubt, Add Storage
This is less about providing a ton of storage for potential buyers (although that’s important) and more about establishing an organized atmosphere in your home. You don’t need to fill every open spot in your house with cabinets or wardrobes, but there are probably a few simple additions you can make that will tie a room together. Need some ideas? Start in the kitchen!

7. Make It Shine
When you want to make a great impression at a party, you spend some extra time on your makeup, right? The same principle applies to your house. Except instead of perfecting your eyeliner, you can shine some fixtures! Anything that’s stainless steel (like your sinks and faucets) is a perfect place to start, because it’s easy to really make them sparkle.

Source: Brightnest, Brian
https://brightnest.com/posts/7-simple-ways-to-increase-the-value-of-your-home

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