9 Ways To Add Value To Your Home

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Sprucing up your homestead has decided advantages. One is that it lets you take advantage of today’s low-interest rates. Some home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) let you borrow against your property’s expected value after renovation is completed. That’s right — you get the cash you need upfront to perform the repairs you desire.

Whether or not you decide to finance your operations or pay for them out of pocket, you could significantly raise your resale value. Plus, you enhance your curb appeal and feel improved pride of ownership. Here are nine ways to add value to your home with a little DIY elbow grease.

1. Organize Your Garage

When asked what features they looked for when searching for a home, many first-time homebuyers cited garage storage space. If you don’t even have room for your car, it’s time to get organized.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take much effort or money to purchase and hang a pegboard for organizing your garden tools. Be sure to store dangerous chemicals like antifreeze out of the reach of little hands. You can build shelves above your garage door or invest in locking cabinets if you’re on the shorter side and don’t relish getting out a stepladder.

Are you one of many who don’t park in your garage? If you’ve gotten used to leaving your car in your driveway, why not convert this space to an alternative use? It could make an ideal home office space if your temporary WFH situation becomes permanent amid the pandemic.

2. Reshingle Your Roof

Roof leaks can spell disaster for your entire home. Water can get into your walls, where it warps your drywall and eventually rots your studs. Even more frightening is the risk of sparking an electrical fire.

You should inspect your roof twice a year — it’s wise to do so when cleaning your gutters. If it’s been several years since your last repair, why not install new shingles?

Doing so can save you money in the end. The right quality shingles help preserve your home’s temperature, drastically reducing your heating and cooling costs. You can also sleep better at night, knowing that the value of your investment is better protected from the elements.

3. Spruce up Your Landscaping

Did you think landscaping was a chore that could wait until spring? While that may be the traditional planting time, what you do now could determine how well your garden grows next year. Plus, your lawn is among the first things a home appraiser sees if you’re considering selling or refinancing.

You should plant your spring bulbs in September or October after the weather cools. Use a piece of wire mesh to prevent squirrels from digging up your tulips or crocuses for a snack before they have a chance to sprout.

Now is also the ideal time to rake and mulch your bed. Putting a sheet of plastic over your mulch and securing it with rocks keeps your soil soft and warm under the winter snows, insulating what’s beneath.

4. A Fresh Coat of Paint

Painting has one of the highest returns on investment of any home improvement project. It costs around $30 for a bucket of the good stuff, and you can DIY many jobs in a single weekend.

You don’t even have to tackle the entire exterior or interior, although you can if you decide a new look is in order. You can create stunning curb appeal by painting your front and garage doors and shutters a striking shade.

Moving indoors, why not paint a single accent wall to highlight your family photographs? Another option lies in your kitchen. Painting dark, lugubrious cabinets a sunny shade instantly makes your kitchen look larger — and more appealing to many buyers.

5. A Little Driveway Maintenance

Don’t let your home’s outer appearance detract from its value after you did the hard work of painting and landscaping. Is your driveway covered with ruts and oil stains?

If so, improve your curb appeal by giving your driveway a fresh coating and seal. You should tackle this chore while the temperatures remain above 55 F. Warm weather allows the sealant to set. Ensure you don’t have any rain in the forecast for the next 24 hours when you take on this chore and wash your driveway first to remove any excess leaves and debris.

6. Upgrading Your Appliances

How old are your appliances? If they date from before 1992, it’s time for you to upgrade. The Energy Star program launched that year, and manufacturers have competed to create the most efficient devices ever since. Your new refrigerator could pay for itself in a few months with reduced electricity bills.

When upgrading, don’t necessarily go for all the bells and whistles. For example, refrigerators with water and ice dispensers do require more maintenance than those without these features.

However, some additions could increase your property value considerably. For example, adding a double oven will appeal to young families who dream of preparing Thanksgiving dinner in their new home. An island provides additional preparation space if you have the room, and an overhead pot rack frees up even more cabinet space.

7. Let There Be Light

Are you still living with an overhead fluorescent light in your kitchen or hallway? If so, why not make this the year you rid yourself of the buzzing dinosaur and replace it with track lighting? Such fixtures let you direct illumination where you need it the most — like the stove while you cook.

Dark window coverings are out — they make the inside of your home look too funeral-like. Instead, consider a light gauzy set of curtains that allow you to take advantage of natural sunlight to illuminate your interior.

If you’re more ambitious, adding a skylight isn’t as tricky as you might think, depending on your trusses. You won’t need a structural engineer to spec alternative framing if they’re set 2 feet apart. Your biggest challenge, in that case, is to ensure your fixture doesn’t leak — call a professional if you’re not an expert DIYer.

A simple fix any homeowner can take to save money happens each time you blow a bulb. Replacing it with an energy-efficient LED version costs more initially but saves money over the years.

8. Converting to Solar Power

Do you want to do your part to go green while reaping tax benefits? You better hurry. The current solar energy credits are slated to expire in 2024 unless Congress renews them.

Even if you aren’t ready to convert to full solar power, you can still reduce your energy costs. You can find portable panels that give you enough juice to lower your electric bill each month.

9. The Floor Beneath Your Feet

If you have linoleum in an older home, you could get very lucky. Some homeowners have discovered gorgeous hardwood floors lurking underneath that only need a bit of restoration to bring back their original luster.

However, replacing your flooring is another excellent way to improve the value of your home. Hard surfaces like tile and hardwood are good for those with mobility issues, as you can more readily push a walker or wheelchair. These surfaces also work well in homes with smokers or pets, as they don’t trap hair and odor in the nap.

You have more eco-friendly options than ever. Consider looking into bamboo flooring, for instance. This sustainable material grows quickly and offers a softer surface than stone or tile.

Add Value to Your Home

Adding value to your home need not be a distant future proposition — you might be able to finance your dreams today. Doing so could improve your curb appeal and the pride you feel each time you pull into your driveway.