If you are looking to sell your home of simply give it an update, here are the top 10 Investments to boost your home’s value!
1.Front Yard Makeover
Whether it is a nice paver walkway or simply adding some color to your planters, keeping your front yard looking fresh is not only inexpensive but also adds nice curb appeal. In the case of home improvement, a book is always judged by its cover. It tells your neighbors that you take pride in your home and neighborhood, it makes your house stand out, and it’s really easy!
2.Furnace/ HVAC Replacement
This is usually not on the top of anyone’s mind when it comes to home improvement, but between the rebates and the energy savings, replacing a forced-air unit can start to pump not only comfort but money into your living space.
3. Adding Attic Insulation
If the insulation in your attic is not up to par, close to 30% of the nice, warm, comfortable air that your furnace is producing is going out the window. Laying insulation is an easy DIY project. Also, just simple caulking around doors and windows can save you a bunch of money.
4. Brighten Up Your Space
No one likes a dark living space. An easy way to fix this is by adding can/ recessed lighting in the kitchen and bathrooms to brighten the place up. However, if you don’t want it to be bright all the time an easy fix is to add dimmer switches.
5. Update Plumbing
If you have old, rusty iron pipes you might want to consider replacing the plumbing. An appraiser takes the plumbing into heavy consideration when assigning the value of a home. Back in the day, it used to be a huge undertaking with walls being torn down and drywall flying everywhere. Nowadays, though, re-piping is usually done with PEX, that is extremely reliable and can be run through your walls like an extension cord. This means fewer holes and a lot less mess. it also means less money spent on materials and labor.
6.Engineered or Real-Wood Floors
People are getting very educated when it comes to hardwood floors,which means that they can sniff out the cheap laminate stuff.
7. Remove the Paneling and Popcorn
The two things that scream “I’m outdated!” is popcorn and wood paneling. Especially if you have the old MDF wood panels with the high-gloss finish. Rip it out and replace it with drywall. If you really like the “wood” look, used reclaimed wood installed horizontally. It looks amazing, it’s not a huge expense, and it will instantly throw some value into your home. As for the popcorn ceilings, once they go your home will look more modern and will fetch a more modern home value.
8. Boost the Bathroom
Install new fixtures, re-grout the shower, add crown molding and brighten up the room with some paint. Something as simple as a new mirror and light fixtures can make a bathroom look refreshed and amazing.
9. Basement or Attic Renovation
Although basements are rare in Florida, we have our fair share of attics. So if you have one, finish it out! Whether it is making a man cave of your dreams or an extra bedroom for your ever-expanding family, finishing your basement or attic can inject instant equity and square footage into your home. Just make sure a permit is pulled and all the codes are followed. If not, the square footage may not be added to the rest of the house and may not be considered a livable space.
10. Kitchen is King
The smartest place to put your hard-earned money is in the kitchen. The first things buyers want to see is the kitchen. One awesome tip you might not have heard is “The Triangle.” Basically, it is the space where your cooking area, sink, and dishwasher meet to create an effortless flow when working. How far is your cooktop from your sink? If your dishwasher close to the sink?Are you tripping over stools and a butcher-block table to get from one corner of the triangle to the other? If you have the means to invest some money into your kitchen, make sure to place all your new toys into a nice flowing workspace.