It’s not surprising that many homeowners invest a sizeable amount of monetary resources into their properties. For many of us, our homes are our biggest investments. And even if you may not have any plans of selling it now, you never know if you will in the future. And when that time comes to part ways with it, you want to make sure that you can get as much as possible out of the deal.
However, due to the misconceptions surrounding the high costs of home improvement, many are reluctant to make the necessary changes and upgrades to improve the worth of their houses in the market. Fortunately, this doesn’t need to be the case as there are many ways in which you can attain the intended result without having to spend too much money. And in this article, we will discuss a few strategies that will help you get you what you want at a very good price.
1. Give the house a fresh new coat of paint
One of the fastest and most inexpensive ways of raising the value of a home is by giving it a fresh new coat of paint. When you get right down to it, a paint job can elevate aesthetic appeal and make your property look newer than it actually is. Best of all, the materials for it are relatively affordable. And if you don’t mind spending a few weekends on it, it’s a task that can be easily achievable with a hands-on, do-it-yourself approach.
However, be sure not to go crazy with the colours. Giving a home some personality is one thing, but over personalisation can have the opposite of the intended effect. And you’re far less likely to reel in any prospective buyers if you decide to go too wild on the paint scheme. Instead, try to stick to neutral shades. It will help you cater to a broader audience.
2. Go green with energy-efficient technology
Energy-efficient homes have become all the rage in the real estate market, and it isn’t difficult to see why. It helps keep our carbon footprint at a minimum and can lower our monthly electric bills considerably. And, in turn, save us a lot of money. So if you’re looking to give your property a boost in value, go green. From switching out your existing lighting system for its LED counterpart to making use of solar panels, opting for energy efficiency can go a long way in making your home more valuable in the market.
3. Update your bathrooms
The way your home looks on the outside might pique the interest of potential buyers. However, it’s the interior that will allow you to close a favourable deal, specifically, the state of your bathrooms. So make sure that you give these areas an update. From the addition of new bathroom furniture like vanities, cabinets, and washbasins to upgrades like freestanding baths and shower cabins, you’re guaranteed to get a sizeable return on your investment if you keep your bathrooms up-to-date.
4. Keep your lawn in good condition
Lawn care is a lot more important to the value of a property than some might give it credit for. After all, it’ll be easier to get buyers through the front door with a lawn that’s been well looked after. More importantly, it’s a cheap way to add more value to your home. Not unlike the application of new paint, lawn work can be easily achieved with a DIY approach. The labour costs for professional services aren’t that expensive either if you don’t have the time to work on it yourself.
5. Buy second-hand
One reason why home improvement can be a very expensive undertaking is that many homeowners often buy brand new. And if you want to keep the costs of your project down to a reasonable level, it makes sense to opt for second-hand items whenever possible. From furniture to fixtures, shopping used will drive down your expenditure and it’ll expose you to items whose age makes them much more unique and eye-catching.
However, keep in mind that if you’re purchasing second-hand items, always make it a point to thoroughly assess their condition before making a financial commitment. There’s hardly any point in spending money on anything that’s too damaged to be of use, after all. And your expenditure will just increase on the repairs that it will require.
Contrary to popular belief, giving a home the updates that it requires to make it more desirable in the real estate market on a budget is neither a tricky nor complicated task. And by following all of the strategies that are mentioned above, you can make your home more valuable at a reasonable price.
