Ways to Increase Your Home Value

Ways to Increase Your Home Value

by Andre Plessis

While you cannot protect yourself against market corrections such as what we’ve seen over the past few years, you can take steps to help increase your home's value and make it more marketable, more desirable than any other properties on the market. Keep in mind that if you want to sell your home, you have to look better than the competition. You should also be priced well, and understand that when you market a product your offer should be so irresistible that it should be difficult for anyone to say no to your offer. It can be done, when you know how to properly market your product or service. THAT’S MARKETING!

 The following tips are meant to inspire and motivate you to treat your home like the investment it was meant to be.

1. Make Repairs: Homes require regular maintenance and repairs are a necessary component of homeownership. Procrastination gets you. Stay on top of repairs as they are needed. Be sure to address all necessary repairs before you put your home on the market. For example, roofs, foundation are expensive to replace or repair. Many prospective buyers will pass up your otherwise wonderful home when faced with those issues. How do you expect someone to purchase your house if you do not take care of it? It says it all.

2. Curb Appeal: Curb appeal is about first impressions. A large percentage of home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a house or take it seriously based on its curb appeal—the view they see when they drive by or arrive for a showing. You can help make sure they want to come inside your house by spending some time working on the its exterior appearance.

3. Updated Kitchen: Everyone knows that the kitchen is the heart of a home. As such, making your kitchen beautiful needs to be a top priority. Believe it or not, this does not need to be an expensive or difficult proposition. Kitchens are a real selling point. Outdated cabinets, counters, and appliances will stick out like a sore thumb to buyers. Be sure, however, that you research your comparables before beginning a remodel. You don't want to price yourself out of the running. This means if while you love granite and travertine, other homes in your area are selling with laminate, you will probably not be able to ask for a drastically higher price that covers the price of the granite.

4. Updated Bath: Bathrooms also hold much of a home's value. You don't need to rip out walls or install new plumbing to give your bathroom design a fresh new look. New low-flush toilets cost as little as $100. And tubs and showers can be easily replaced or resurfaced. Be sure, above all else, that your bathrooms are clean for showings.

5. Energy Savers: Buyers are looking for homes that are energy efficient. Low-flush toilets, solar panels, water filtrations systems, and insulated windows are all inexpensive fixes for energy zappers.

Consider these 4 simple tips and decide for yourself what may help your home retain its value.