No homeowner would want their property to deteriorate faster than necessary. This is why some homeowners would spend thousands of dollars on home maintenance and repair alone. After the necessary tinkering, many would go ahead and pursue their desired home improvements. This is not only to ensure the house can better accommodate their needs but to ensure their home increases in value.
But what does it take to improve the market value of your property? Most homeowners believe the bigger the project, the better return on investment it can yield. But in reality, there are five factors one must consider to make the most out of a home improvement.
Start with Curb Appeal
One factor that attracts buyers the most is the attractiveness of your property at first glance. This only means if your home lacks curb appeal, you will have a hard time even convincing a buyer from exploring the interior of your home. This is why experts always tell homeowners to start improving the exterior of the house as this is the first thing people will see from the street.
Before you start improving your favorite parts of the house, consider its exterior first. This can mean maintaining your existing landscaping, repainting the exterior of your home, and ensuring the roof is in good condition. If your driveway needs a bit of cleaning, consider power washing it. Don’t forget to consider a garage door repair or replacement to improve the security of your home.
Consider Energy-efficiency
These days, energy-efficient houses are considered attractive and marketable. Home buyers are willing to pay top dollar for energy-efficient homes. Many now acknowledge that the more energy-efficient a house, the lesser they have to pay on utility bills, and the more they get to save in the future. Aside from these, only a few home buyers would pass up the opportunity to say no to a house that requires less energy, improves health, and offers optimal comfort to the family.
Did you know that you can even enjoy tax incentives for improving your home and making it more energy-efficient? You can also apply for an energy-efficient mortgage. Now, you can finance improved attic insulation, Energy Star labeled appliances, LED lights, and exterior doors and windows. You can even use this opportunity to finally install solar panels and enjoy the upgrades before selling the house after a couple of years.
Go for Low Maintenance
Most home buyers these days are either millennials or Baby Boomers. Millennials often lack the fund to buy a brand new house, which means they sometimes prefer to buy fixer-uppers. But then, many other Generation Y learned from the mistakes of others and wants to get rid of the unnecessary high maintenance costs of homes that needed repair. As for Baby Boomers, they don’t need houses that require lots of maintenance when they are no longer in their prime years. This only means the lower it costs to maintain a house, the more attractive it becomes to home buyers.
Even if you don’t plan on selling the house soon, it still becomes a must that you improve your home to make it low maintenance. You will find it easier to keep up with your home upkeep and avoid costly repairs in the future. Instead of becoming a mere slave to your home, you get to show who the real boss is and improve your home so you can enjoy it longer.
For instance, you’re into improving your kitchen. Why not go for a quartz countertop? This is incredibly tough and hard impossible to stain. It is also scratch-resistant, has a standard warranty of at least 10 years and you can even choose from a variety of colors and patterns.
If you feel like your roof now badly needs a replacement. Consider metal roofing as your next project. This is one of the most maintenance-free roofs you can avail. If you live in coastal areas, choose one made with aluminum products to avoid the roof from rusting. This can last up to 50 years, making it a great deal for your money.
If you want instant equity, then consider replacing your 15-year-old HVAC system. An HVAC system replacement almost always guarantees a return of investment. You no longer have to worry about your heating failing you during the cold winter or your air conditioning unit acting up just when you needed it during the summer. The newer and better your new system is, the less money you need to save up for its maintenance and repair.
Boosting the market value of your home is a wise decision whether or not you are looking forward to selling in the future. You get to enjoy your improved home for a few years before you even put it up for sale. If you plan on taking any home improvement, always remember that making it low maintenance, energy-efficient and attractive are some of the fool-proof ways to boost its value.
