Five Ways To Increase Home Value

With the housing market still in a slump, many homeowners are looking for ways to increase the value of their home so that it stands a better chance of eventually being sold. Home improvement also means that you get more enjoyment out of your house now, even if you aren’t considering moving out. While there are endless ways to improve upon your home, the ideas below are some of the most popular ways to make your home more valuable.

1. Reclaim Unused Space

One of the quickest ways to add value to a home is adding a room. While adding an addition is often too expensive, repurposing wasted space can actually be a breeze. Adding a bedroom is one of the most advantageous additions, and bathrooms are also a smart choice. Running new plumbing and increasing the water bill are not ideal for some homeowners, though, so those individuals whose houses already have two or more bathrooms tend to take the easier route by creating a new bedroom bedroom. It’s relatively easy to take an old attic space, office, or even basement and turn it into a comfortable oasis. The creation of new, livable square footage will improve a home’s value immensely.

2. Expand Outward

Let’s say the house has enough bedrooms, great bathrooms, and a modern, attractive kitchen. Is the yard a place that all can enjoy? If not, putting in a great patio space or wooden deck will have prospective buyers attracted to all aspects of your house. Relaxation and entertainment will be easy and fun with this new space.

3. Get A House-Lift

Face-lifts are sometimes the best way to make a person look younger, and this is also true of houses. Re-painting the exterior of a house, replacing old vinyl siding, or sprucing up a front door area will give the house more curbside appeal. People tend to judge houses based on their first impressions of the home’s exterior, and if your house has cracked paint, an ugly door, crumbling brick, or outdated fixtures, it will detract from its beautiful interior. So give your house a fighting chance by updating its exterior to increase its curb appeal.

4. Kitchen Redo

The majority of a renovation budget often goes into the kitchen and the bathrooms. However, past kitchens of massive proportions and overwhelming themes are no longer in line with the values of today’s buyers. Instead, people are looking for a practical layout and modern, eco-friendly, and efficient appliances. Shabby cabinets and fixtures will overshadow up-to-date appliances, though, so it’s important to give your kitchen an updated look. A new coat of paint, re-facing efforts, or new handles and knobs for cabinets are sometimes all it takes to wake up a tired kitchen.

5. New Windows

Not only do new windows make a house look and function better, but there are also tax breaks to be had! Improving the energy efficiency of a home will always add to its worth, and new windows will cut energy bills significantly while also adding considerable style. This makes windows a great investment for increasing your home’s value. And while you’re at it, consider installing new windows where there once was a wall, as this opens up the house and allows more natural light into the home.

Whatever the reason behind renovating a house, these five suggestions are tried and true options for adding value. However, in order to ensure that your renovation goes smoothly and actually adds value to your home, it’s important that you choose the right contractor. DIY’ers are all well and good, but quality work will hold up against time and buyer scrutiny, helping you to get the greatest return on your investment. If you are located in the Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, DC area, consider contacting Hartman Construction. Tackling both residential and commercial projects, there’s no job too big or too small for the experts at Hartman. For more information, click here to visit their website, or check out these selections from the Hartman Builder Blog: