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7 DIY Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

There’s something gratifying, personally satisfying about getting on board the DIY-trend train. Often, that gratification comes in the form of serious money savings. Homeowners can even enhance the value of their home by achieving some DIY projects that are known to increase home value. If you don’t mind rolling up your sleeves, you may be able to save substantially on labor costs while still purchasing from top brands to increase the value of your home and property. If you’re wondering how to sell your home, these projects can help you ready your house before listing it on the market, and before you do so, you might also want to read these we buy any house buyer reviews, and choose if you may want sell your house through them.

1. Show Off Hardwood Floors

If you making updates with an eye toward selling a house, consider removing carpeting to reveal hardwood floors. Buyers are increasingly shopping for houses that have hardwood flooring. If your wood floors aren’t in great shape, you should refinish them, which is much cheaper than purchasing new flooring. You can even rent the equipment needed for the job from your local home improvement center. If your flooring is beyond repair, you could always wait for a sale. When businesses get new seasons of stock, they can discontinue their current stock and you can find some pretty good specials on clearance hardwood. Clearances are often 50%-70% off the RRP so you can save you quite a bit of money too, making it another affordable option.

2. Bathroom Update

Updating your bathrooms is another way to sell your house and add value to it at the same time. Buyers want bathrooms that are updated-that don’t look dated. Many bathroom updates are easy for do-it-yourselfers. For instance, swap out old faucets for new ones. Add a new mirror or medicine cabinet complete with cabinet locks. Transform the vanity with some paint and new hardware. Even if you invest in materials to create new built-ins or to lay a new floor, you’re likely to recoup your investment after selling your house.

3. Install New Security Doors

Security is a high priority for buyers. If your doors are dated or in poor condition, it could turn off potential buyers right from the start. Adding new security doors is another investment that sellers are likely to get a return on. High-quality doors may be costly, but sellers can save substantially on labor by installing the doors themselves.

4. Add / Enlarge Patio

If your house does not have a patio or has a modest one, consider expanding it. Many buyers are looking for homes with outdoor living space. A large patio allows them to cook, dine, and lounge outdoors. Lugging materials home and laying a new patio is a physically demanding job, but if you don’t mind this type of work, you’ll save a small fortune by doing it yourself!

5. Boost Curb Appeal

You can enhance your home’s value by boosting its curb appeal. Replace worn shutters, update your porch light and mailbox, trim overgrown trees and shrubs, and repaint the house. You might even want to update your old driveway. Take a look at Decorative Concrete Solutions – Decorative Concrete Driveways if you’re interested. When selling a house, it’s important to impress buyers from the moment they drive up to your home.

6. Kitchen Update

An updated kitchen might be the single-most important DIY project you can undertake. The condition of the kitchen can make or break a potential real estate deal. Sellers can transform dated cabinetry with fresh paint or a new stain. Add new hardware and you can completely transform this kitchen feature. Similarly, install a new kitchen floor and update window treatments to give this space a contemporary look. If you have extra space in the back yard, think about adding an outdoor kitchen.

7. Install Crown Molding

Finally, install crown molding in major rooms like the living room, family room, and master bedroom. This type of project takes time, but it’s relatively easy. Crown molding enhances the appearance of these living spaces and buyers are apt to take note.

Keep these DIY ideas in mind when selling your house. They can help you impress buyers-and save money while doing it!

7 Comments

  • Cathy French

    We did a bath update with the shower but the remainder of the room still looks like it did when the house was built in the 60s. Definitely need an upgrade.

  • Karen Propes

    I agree with you, the few things buyers look for is the yard, bath, and kitchen. That’s what we look for when we were looking. The floors are important too, but we figured we would be able to pull up the carpet and put down what we wanted if we needed to. Cleaning the wall, but we painted all the wall over again. Just put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and that’s what would greatly improve the value.

  • Lindsay Clark

    I am in the process of updating my home to put it up for sale and I love all the different you have mentioned. Updating kitchen cabinets is first on my list and from reading this I feel like it will really help the home sale. Thank you for your wonderful advice!

  • Tamra Phelps

    I know they say kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. I guess it’s true. I know those would be high on my list when buying.