The size, style and location of your home all impact its value, but there are a number of things you can do to help drive the value up. Whether you’re looking to sell or wanting to add some value to an investment property, here are 8 fantastic ways to increase the value of your home.
1. Make the first impression count
The way your house looks from the street matters more than you might think. Creating a good first impression can greatly increase the home’s perceived value.
Whether you’ve got a large front yard or a slither of space out the front, put some effort into creating a good impression and it will pay off.
Some great ways to do just that include:
- Planting attractive plants
- Placing pot plants near the front door
- Maintaining the garden
- Installing decking
- Painting fences, verandahs, pathways and doors
2. Give the garden some attention
A well maintained garden looks great and will improve the value of your home. Whether you’ve got a lot of outdoor space or just a small balcony, introducing some attractive organic elements will have a big impact.
If you have the budget, consider getting a landscape designer to help you design an attractive garden. If you’d rather do things yourself, try the following ideas:
- Put in new lawn
- Add colourful plants in garden beds and pots
- Install a water element like a pond or bird bath
- Mulch your garden beds
- Add a garden path
3. Create a functional outdoor space
Don’t just work on making your garden look great, make sure your outdoor spaces are functional too. Having areas where you can sit, cook, exercise etc. will help improve the value of your home.
Consider how you will make the outdoor spaces functional in both summer and winter weather. If you don’t have the budget for a patio or gazebo, consider hanging an attractive shade cloth to increase the usability of the space.
Other great additions are barbecues, woodfired ovens, fireplaces, hardwood decking and outdoor furniture.
4. Install solar panels
Solar power installation is a definite way to boost the value of your home. The move to green energy is looked on favourably by potential buyers and tenants alike.
Installing a solar power system represents savings for whoever is living in the house as it will dramatically decrease the household’s dependence on electricity from the grid. Consider getting a solar power battery as well so that excess power can be stored for use during night time hours.
Are solar panels a good investment for where you live? Solar panels in Rockingham, Mandurah, Perth and surrounding areas offer great value as there is a high proportion of sunny days throughout the year.
For more information about the size and type of solar system for your home, speak to a local solar specialist.
5. Renovate the kitchen
If you are planning on renovating any room in your home, the kitchen has the greatest potential to boost the value of your home. You don’t have to redo the kitchen completely to make a big difference.
Some simple changes that have a big impact include:
- Replacing or painting cabinets
- Installing modern handles and fixtures
- Upgrading the oven and stove top
- Replacing the bench tops
- Installing pendant lights
6. Give the bathroom a facelift
Much like the kitchen, improvements in the bathroom have a big impact on property value. Most people are looking for a modern and clean bathroom. Try these measures in the bathroom to increase home value:
- Install modern fixtures
- Replace or paint the cabinets
- Modernise the toilet
- Redo the flooring
- Repaint the ceiling
7. Replace the carpets
Scruffy old carpet and outdated vinyl flooring isn’t doing you any favours. If you like the carpet look, consider replacing your carpet with a good quality modern option. If you’ve got hardwood timber flooring, but it’s looking a little worse for wear, consider having it refinished.
If you’re looking at fake flooring options because of budget reasons, make sure you pick high quality options that will stand the test of time. Avoid any bright patterns or colours and stick with neutrals to appeal to a wider range of buyers.
8. Apply a fresh coat of paint
Want a simple way to dramatically freshen up your home? Give it a fresh coat of paint! Check out the current paint situation inside and out your home. You might decide to recoat the whole house or focus on a few main rooms.
If you’re looking to sell now or in the near future, go with ivory or cream paint. These classic whites will increase the value of your home and be more appealing to a wider range of people. Steer away from any bold moves with colour and embrace neutrals.
Conclusion
Whether you’re planning to sell your house, are looking to add value to an investment property or just want to keep your home well maintained, all home owners will benefit from a thoughtful approach to the value of their property.
Improvements don’t have to cost a fortune either. Taking time to think through your strategy will certainly pay off.