5 Useful Tips to Increase the Value of Your Home

If you are looking to sell your home, take comfort in knowing that we are currently in a sellers’ market and housing prices continue to steadily rise. You’ll want to take advantage of the current state of affairs and invest a bit in your home to really capitalize on its value.

At Equity Assets Realty, we have years of experience with helping sellers enhance their home to increase its value and the likelihood of selling it within a reasonable amount of time. Consider the following 5 amazingly useful tips to get the most out of your house.

Before You Begin…

Before making random adjustments and improvements to your home, the first thing you’ll want to do is make a plan. This will go a long way in ensuring that you are making solid investments and that any improvements you make are meaningful.

You’ll want to start off by creating a list of potential updates you would like to make. Do not hesitate to write down any big schemes – you’ll end up prioritizing at the end of the process.

Once you have jotted down your big to dos’, consider the type of timeframe you’d like to accomplish these changes. Will it take multiple years to complete? How will this affect your ability to sell your home in the immediate future?

Do some research to prioritize which changes would reap you the biggest benefit while also taking into consideration your budget. By this point, you should have a decent idea of what you can actually perform, how much it will cost, your schedule, and the potential value you would be adding to your home.

1. Cook Up Value in the Kitchen

Individuals and families spend a lot of time in the kitchen. From weekday dinners to football Sundays, there’s a lot of action that takes place in this area of the house. Because of that, you’ll want to make sure that this portion of your home gets plenty of love. Some key components that can make a major difference include:

• Replacing the kitchen countertop (think quartz or marble).
• Updating kitchen appliances (stainless steel is the to go-to option).
• Replacing or refinishing flooring.
• Cabinets and walls can benefit from a fresh coat of paint.   

2. Curb Value Starts With Your Yard

An unkempt yard can be disastrous for a gorgeous home. Remember, this is going to be the first portion of your home that a potential buyer sees, and you’ll want to make sure that your exterior is just as beautiful as your interior.

Luckily, landscaping isn’t very expensive and a few simple tweaks can really help your house to shine. Consider:

• Trimming unruly tree branches and undergrowth.
• Trimming bushes.
• Pruning shrubs and hedges.
• Avoid excessive amounts of outdoor furniture or other items.
• A simple wreath on your door can add a welcoming element.
• Keep your yard clean of strewn trash

3. Your Bathroom is Your Secret Weapon

Just like your kitchen, bathrooms see a lot of wear and tear. That means you want to perform the necessary maintenance and upgrades needed to keep it looking fresh. A subpar bathroom can really hurt your value and a potential buyer’s interest. Focus your upgrades on the following areas:

• Bathroom countertops – just like your kitchen’s – should be made from marble, quartz, or granite.
• Faucets should be modernized – and if within your budget – include under-mount sinks.
• The spa vibe is definitely a plus for any bathroom. Consider stone surround tile for your shower with a dual shower head.
• New grout is essential for all the grime that can build up.
• Always – and we mean always – keep your bathroom clean.   

4. Eco-friendly Homes Are Great

When you hear the term “eco-friendly,” you might assume some major changes are in order – such as adding solar paneling. While these major updates can definitely add some value to your home, the truth is that small changes can be just as effective.

This is especially true when it comes to your energy and water use. To make your home a little eco-friendlier, you can make some of the following upgrades:

• Government-rated Energy Star certified windows can have a major effect on heating and cooling costs, in turn, increasing the value of your home.
• Programmable thermostats are the new standards for homes and can help to further reduce heating and cooling costs.
• Upgrade your water heater to lower water bills and energy costs.
• LED lighting offers excellent lighting while being energy efficient.
• Invest in some insulation if your home is a little older.    

Eco-friendly homes are enticing to modern home buyers.

5. It’s Not About You

If you are truly invested in selling your home, then you’ll want to move away from your own preferences and give potential buyers an opportunity to project their own ideas onto your home. One of the easiest ways to do this is to paint doors and rooms with neutral colors that will allow them to develop their own vision.

Not only does this help to give them the chance to envision themselves in your home, a new coat of paint will help to revitalize your walls from any chipping and wear that might have occurred over the years.

You’ll also want to move away from decorations, furniture arrangements, and gaudy home decor that can draw attention in the wrong way.   

Want a little more guidance and support in making sure your home is ready for the market? Let the expert realtors at Equity Assets Realty help you make your home shine. Contact us today at 956-994-9455 and let our team of McAllen realtors make the selling process as easy and enjoyable as possible.