Home Improvements

9 Simple Ways to increase your home's curb appeal:

• Painting—inside or out - A fresh coat of paint can cover up blemishes as well as normal wear and tear. Try some neutral colors like white, beige, or pewter.
• Setting potted plants outside – Plants naturally add a look of vibrancy and life to any setting. If you don’t have a green thumb, try using silken plants to give an appearance of greenery.
• Rearranging furniture – Give your home a look of having more space by arranging furniture in a way that doesn’t make the rooms look cluttered
• Cleaning up clutter – Making sure things are neat and tidy will help prospects picture their own furniture and items in your home. Remember, if your home looks too cluttered, prospects may think you don’t have enough storage space for them!
• Installing new fixtures – Replace worn out cabinets, switch out scratched up doorknobs for new ones, put in new light fixtures, and adding other small touches goes a long way.
• Updating appliances – Even replacing your old microwave can add untold value to prospects.
• Adding a new room – Adding extra rooms often lifts the perceived value of a home, if it is done tastefully and compliments the rest of the house.
• Building a new deck or patio – Prospects will enjoy imagining outdoor sun bathing or entertaining outside.

Curb Appeal

The exterior of your house will set the stage from the start. If your exterior is crumbling and unkempt, that higher price point is going to be harder to fetch. Start by fixing the front door. A new—or repainted—front door makes a big impact. Power washing your home's siding, deck and driveway will also make your home look well cared for.

Match those fresh coats of paint with manicured landscaping to enhance the well-kept look. You don’t have to spend a lot of time with the landscaping – simply make sure your lawn is tidy and trees and shrubs are pruned. A new flowerbed adds a homey touch—placing attractively potted flowers by the front door is an inexpensive but effective alternative. Make sure you remove any unnecessary clutter, such as mismatched furniture and old ornaments.

Remodeling

After your prospects are dazzled by your home’s exterior, close the deal with some simple remodeling. Start with the kitchen; new flooring, cabinets, countertops and updated appliances can easily impress prospects and give the house a more updated feel. In older homes, adding a new bathroom can also drastically increase the resale value. Smaller updates such as new hardware and modern fixtures can also increase the perceived value of the home.

Remember, your REALTOR® can help you decide which improvements will add the most value to your home!