6 Ways to Increase Your Property Value

Whether you’re looking to sell your home or trying to protect its value, remodels are a homeowner’s best friend. This article will provide some insight into the best ways to increase your property value.

The Exterior: Curb Appeal

There are many ways to increase your property value, and much of it begins with curb appeal. That’s not to say to neglect the interior of your home, but you should prioritize the exterior for sure. Curb appeal is one of the number one reasons a potential buyer will look at a home—or avoid it like the plague. A few factors go into your home’s curb appeal.

• Refresh the exterior paint

  The paint on the siding and shutters is one of the first things people often notice. Painting is one of the most valuable home improvements you can make. It’s crucial to use quality paint on the exterior of your home, especially in areas that face inclement weather. The paint is the only barrier between the siding and the weather it faces.

• Keep up with the landscaping

  The next factor potential buyers notice is the size and quality of the yard, shrubs, mulch, retaining walls, and so on. This is probably one of the easiest parts of home ownership to maintain. As long as you cut, fertilize, and water the grass, your lawn will look exceptional. In addition, it’s important to maintain the height of the shrubs and put down fresh mulch every year or two.

• Maintain the roof and siding

  Arguably the most expensive part of curb appeal is the house’s roof and siding. It goes without saying that your home has to have a good roof to keep the weather outside. As for the siding, if you maintain it correctly, it can last for decades. Many sellers just paint the siding in an attempt to cover up the wear and tear it has endured over the years, but what they don’t realize is that they could really earn more in the long run if they just maintain it from the beginning.

• Take care of the driveway

  Last but not least is the driveway. It’s often the most neglected part of curb appeal, yet it’s the simplest to maintain. Most homes nowadays have asphalt driveways as opposed to concrete. You’ll just need to seal an asphalt driveway every year or two, sometimes less depending on the sealcoat you use. Concrete, on the other hand, can be a bigger issue if it has cracks.

The Interior

Now that we’re finished outside, let’s move inside. Interior maintenance is much easier simply because the weather doesn’t interfere. There are many ways to increase property value inside the home; here are just a few of them.

• Remodel the kitchen

  The kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the home. It’s important to have clean and solid cabinets—that way, they’ll last long-term.

• Upgrade your flooring

  This is another factor that can cost a lot up-front, but it often pays itself back. No one wants to walk into a home with beautiful curb appeal only to be blinded by red shag carpet from the 60s.

image credit: Pixabay