For most people, their home is one of the most significant assets they possess, which is why it makes sense to do what you can to increase its valuation where possible.
Throughout 2020, we saw more people take on DIY projects than ever before. With millions of people left isolated in their homes, they saw it as an excellent opportunity to get stuck into the tasks they’ve been putting off over the past few years while making their home more attractive for a potential future sale and increasing your property valuation.
So whether you’re looking for a productive way to spend your time or if you’re doing some home DIY to get your house ready for sale, here are some quick and easy DIY projects for you to work on.
Paint the interior and exterior
According to a consumer reports study on boosting your home’s value, giving your home a new paint job can add between 1-5% to your property’s value. Not bad, considering just about anyone can do this as long as they have access to a can of paint and a paintbrush!
So why is painting so effective at improving your home’s value? Well, for a start, it’s a great way to freshen up the place and make it feel new and well-maintained. It covers up cracks, marks, blemishes, and any other flaws that are visible to the eye.
When deciding on colors for the interior, make sure you opt for something that’s not too outlandish. The key here is to go for colors that will stand the test of time. So even if your best friend is convincing you that deep orange is the hot new fashion trend, it may be wiser to err on the side of caution and choose a paint that’s a little more conservative.
Remember: you don’t need to paint every single surface in the house in order to make an improvement. Try and highlight the areas that are most in need of a touch-up and start there.
Things get a little more complicated when it comes to painting the exterior. For the most part, you will need to hire some form of help, and that can get expensive. This is why we would typically recommend you opt for pressure washing the exterior instead of painting it. That is unless your commercial property manager specifically suggests it or if there is major touch up work needed on the outside walls.
Refresh the ceiling
Ceilings are one of the most neglected parts of the house. Probably because they are so hard to get to, and most people don’t tend to pay much attention to them in the first place. However, they can make a considerable difference to your interior’s aesthetics and play a significant role in determining the value of your property.
So what can you do to give your ceiling a makeover? Well, first things first, if you have a popcorn ceiling, it’s time to get your scraper out. These ceiling designs were once considered fashionable, but now they are looked upon as tacky and can drag down the appeal of your home. Beware, some popcorn ceilings contain asbestos, so make sure you do your research before removing it.
Other than that, you should make sure your ceiling is cleared from debris and clutter, has a fresh paint job, and doesn’t show any signs of structural damage. You should also remove any old and outdated fixtures, such as tacky ceiling fans and lighting units.
Make basic repairs
Let’s face it; nobody wants to buy a house that’s fallen into disrepair. And those that do are normally on the hunt for a bargain. If you want to improve the value of your home, one of the best things you can do is to ask a remodeling contractor in las vegas to take care of all the repairs, such as:
- Leaking toilets
- Dented doors and holes in walls
- Broken HVAC system
- Leaking/sagging roof
- Ill-fitting windows and doors
- Faulty electrics
- Outdated appliances
Declutter your house
Similar to a broken house, nobody wants to move into a place that’s full of clutter. Even if you promise to clear it all out before they arrive, a cluttered house is usually an indication that the property is not well looked after.
Amazingly, cleaning and decluttering your home can add up to $4000 to the value of your house, and it takes nothing more than some good old elbow grease.
Pick up all of your loose items and find a place for them somewhere in your house that’s out of the way and tidy. If you have too much stuff, then you should consider paying for a storage box or a locker to keep your house decluttered.
Lastly, wipe down all of the surfaces in your house, including your windows, doors, and don’t forget about the garage!
Refresh your bathroom
The standard of your bathroom can make or break the sale of your house. If it’s old, outdated, and faulty, the buyer will usually make a reduced offer or turn down the sale altogether. After all, the bathroom is a vital feature of every home, and it can make a massive difference to the overall feel and style of the place.
The good news is you don’t have to completely tear out the entire room and start again. Just take care of the basics, such as:
- Fixing leaks
- Make sure the plumbing works
- Ensuring adequate water pressure
- Remove or replace broken fixtures
For extra points, why not enhance the space with some tasteful lighting or add some luxury features like a spa jet system in the bath or underfloor heating? Of course, this depends on your budget, but if you don’t plan on selling any time soon, then you can enjoy the new features too before you sell.
Update kitchen appliances
Last but not least, we move on to the kitchen. As the old saying goes, “kitchens sell houses,” and boy, is that true. A show-stopping kitchen is the best way to reel in buyers and increase demand for your property, which will drive up the price.
While you need to do what you can to ensure the space looks as nice as possible, the overriding priority is that it works! If the kitchen is full of faulty or outdated appliances, you may be harming your chances of landing a fair price for your home.
Yes, it may be expensive, but it’s an absolute must to ensure your property is fitted with fully functional appliances like a dishwasher, stove, microwave, fridge, freezer, and so on. If they are broken, see if they can be fixed with a spot of DIY so you can save yourself some money.
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