Real estate prices are not the same anymore, so it is natural for a homeowner to think about selling their house and ways to raise their home’s financial value. With housing prices growing, this is a great time to increase the value of your home. With that being said, it is not always necessary to spend a lot of money on the total remodel of a house.

You can learn about the buyers and what they want. Starting early in the process and completing small projects can provide some of the best results. Here are some tips for making improvements to your home, and smartly utilizing your time and resources.

7 Affordable and Quick Ways to Improve Your Home's Value

1) Create Space

Many buyers today prefer more space. So what is the best solution? Knocking out any non-structural walls, or even the kitchen island can open up space and fashions a sense of flow in the house. Though a kitchen island is an asset, if the kitchen has enough cabinets it may produce a better financial outcome to remove the island. With spending a minimal amount of money, you can transform your house entirely. If your ready to sell, it could be as simple as removing extra furniture from your home before listing the home for sale. 

2) Landscaping

Landscaping is one of the top three investments that has the possibility of bringing the largest return and can change the outlook of the house. If your house has a garden or an area with lots of overgrown trees and shrubs, then those tangled trees can sometimes create obscure views. 

Overgrown landscaping creates problems at all price points. People often say, “Where’s the house?” If a buyer is unable to view the house properly, they are unable to determine what they are getting and will most likely move on to a house that they can view properly. If the landscaping has been neglected for a long period of time, it can definitely get out of control and be expensive to fix the situation.

3) Let in the Light

Improving the lighting can be one of the best ways to increase the value of your home. Anything, ranging from a dimmer switch to sun tubes, can enhance a home’s appeal. Sun tubes, also known as sun scoops or light pipes, can be used. These sun tubes use a reflective material that is used for funneling the natural light from the rooftop through a ceiling fixture and into the room.

Other ways by which you can light things up in the house would be to fix any broken panes, and make sure all the windows are open. Consider using lights that use motion detectors so they can turn off automatically. You should also keep in mind that wattage bulbs make a small space feel bigger, and softer lighting brings warmth to empty spaces.

4) Do Not Put Off Maintenance and Care  

Before starting any large upgrades, you should consider some basic improvements and maintenance care. A few suggestions may be insulating the attic, repairing any plumbing leaks, replacing any rusty rain gutters, inspecting the furnace as well as the septic system, replacing or repairing leaky windows, installing storm doors, and weeding out the flower beds. These kinds of fixes add value in the long run to the house. Investing in the maintenance and repairs is moneywise and can be crucial for the sale of your home.

5) What's Under Your Feet?

What you are standing on has a value, so you should not neglect the flooring. Many real estate pros recommend spending money on the flooring, but it doesn’t have to be a lot of money. You can have your carpet professionally cleaned or hardwood floors refinished for cheaper than replacing them with new flooring. 

6) Easy Bath Upgrades

Spiffing up the kitchen and the bath is a sure way to add value to your home. Some upgrades may not be economical, but other upgrades are affordable, easy and fast, especially in the bathroom. A few quick and affordable upgrades to improve your home's value include:

• Replace the shower glass
• Clean the mortar around tile
• Remove the stains left by corrosion
• Apply fresh seals
• Change doorknobs and cabinet pulls
• Change old faucets

7) Neutral Wall Colors

If you plan on selling your house, then you should fix any walls with chipped paint. If there is a need to do more than a touch-up, we suggest you opt for neutral colors. Removing your personal taste and design can be beneficial. Buyers want to visualize their ideas for a space, and a seller can assist by providing a toned-down wall that can serve as a canvas for the many possibilities they envision their house to hold. You can add value to your home in several ways. Understanding what a buyer really wants can be the best way to do that. Try to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes.

In Summary

There may come a time when you will think about selling your home, but feel you can’t get a good value for it. By making just a few changes you can increase the value of your house. By sprucing up your home, in a way that will attract buyers you can have your home sold in no time.