Whether or not you’re planning to put your home on the market this year, it’s never a bad time to pursue projects that will help you boost your home’s value — as long as you choose wisely! Accordingly, many homeowners are going into 2023 with some resolutions that will help them in maintaining and improving their properties. If you’re a homeowner who wants to get a head start on building more equity this year, you’re in the right place! From inspections to outdoor kitchen kits to ceiling tiles, you’ve got a variety of options for adding value to your home.
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Have a thorough professional inspection done.
You can’t fix a problem with your home that you don’t know about, and it can be surprisingly easy to miss some common issues. The last thing you want is for a potential buyer’s inspector to turn up problems you weren’t even aware of! Instead, have your own professional inspection done, even if you’re not planning to sell immediately. Knowing your house’s structural condition is essential for keeping the property in good shape, and an inspection will provide you with pointers for where to spend your remodeling dollars most effectively.
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Add an outdoor space.
Outdoor spaces like decks, patios and outdoor kitchens are catnip to home buyers today and, accordingly, they can offer some of the best potential ROI of any remodel or modification. What’s more, a variety of new prefab options — such as composite wood decking and all-in-one outdoor kitchen kits — help minimize the cost and hassle of setting up an outdoor space. Don’t forget to add the little extras like an outdoor outlet for powering your pellet grill or a dry storage space for holding grill fuel like charcoal and wood pellets.
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Improve those ugly ceilings
Dated-looking ceilings, such as popcorn ceilings or drab suspended ceiling tiles, aren’t doing your home value any favors. This year, it’s time to do something about it! Popcorn ceilings can be scraped off and refinished or covered with new drywall. For suspended ceilings, it’s relatively easy to remove the tiles and replace them with more attractive options, such as imitation coffered ceilings. Note that older ceilings may contain asbestos, so consider having an assessment from an asbestos removal contractor first if your home was built before approximately 1990.
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Replace old kitchen appliances
If you want to spruce up your kitchen but don’t have the time or budget for a full kitchen remodel, a new set of appliances can be a great choice. Buyers love to see the gleam of new appliances. Even if your kitchen is somewhat dated, new appliances can help make up for it. Plus, you can often find bundle deals on essential kitchen appliances like stoves, ranges and dishwashers, so it’s even possible to save money by buying them all at once!
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Update bathroom fixtures.
No matter how many bathrooms your house has, you can make them count for a lot more by making sure each one has a pleasantly contemporary look. If your toilet, shower tile, vanity or other bathroom fixtures are looking a little shabby, make it a priority to update them with something more stylish — oh, and don’t forget the power of a fancy shower head! Pair these upgrades with a fresh coat of paint, and you’ll be astonished by how much better your bathroom looks.
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Make your home more energy-efficient.
Adding energy-efficiency features might not be the flashiest home improvement, but buyers love it! This is an especially good call if you have an older home, which can make buyers rightfully leery of drafty windows and outdated HVAC. Basics can include everything from replacing windows to repairing the roof to installing vapor barriers, while those ready for a more in-depth project might look into cutting-edge options like installing a heat pump. Either way, you’ll save money on utilities now, and many buyers will be willing to pay more for a house that minimizes long-term utility costs — a win-win for everybody.
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Upgrade your home’s exterior doors.
Your exterior doors, such as your front door, screen door and even your garage door, can have an amazingly powerful impact on the first impression that your home makes with buyers and agents. If your doors are looking dated or worn, repainting, refinishing or replacing them is an excellent way to give your home an instant boost in curb appeal. To maximize the impact, make sure to consider the door’s trim features as well. Details like updated hardware, transom windows and lighting sconces help create the look that truly makes a property feel homey and special.
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Stage your home before showing it to buyers.
Sure, you probably know how to make sure your home is at least presentable — but will its looks really pop when a potential buyer comes calling? Staging your home is essential for accentuating its best features and helping a buyer imagine it as their own future living space. Professional staging services can be extremely clutch here. It’s their job to stay up on the latest design trends, and they have all kinds of tricks for ensuring your home has its best face forward. If you want to do the staging yourself, it’s a great idea to ask your agent for recommendations on which features of your home to accentuate and which trends to incorporate into your decor scheme.
Naturally, few people will want (or need) to tackle all of these projects in a single year. The point is to choose the ones that suit your home’s needs and your budget. When the next new year rolls around, take stock of your progress and decide what your next improvement will be!
