Looking to improve your home with an eye on future resale value? Start with a few affordable DIY-friendly home improvement projects that will pay off and make buyers take notice:
Replace flooring. Flooring is often a cosmetic feature that can make or break a sale. Flooring, like worn-out carpet or stained tiles, can be a turn-off to buyers that see the update as a major project and barrier to a “move-in-ready” home. The promise of a future project is enough to chase away many of today’s “move-in ready” buyers. But what’s underfoot is also relatively easy to remedy. Hardwood flooring is a safe, classic and durable choice. For DIYers looking to save on costs, try easy-to-install engineered wood flooring.
Improve landscaping. When it comes to curb appeal, your landscaping can pack a powerful punch, for better or worse. While many people focus their improvement dollars indoors, don’t overlook that first impression that strikes a buyer before they even get out of the car. And you don’t need a green thumb to reap rewards. Simply maintaining a crisply mowed lawn, removing dead plants and branches and adding colorful annual flowers or shrubbery can add 7 to 15 percent to your home’s value, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Upgrade lighting. You may have tolerated your dated dining room chandelier, but buyers won’t be so forgiving. Switching out light fixtures for more updated styles is a low-cost, low-commitment home upgrade. Under-cabinet lighting is another quick-fix – many home improvement stores now offer easy to install plug-in lights that deliver the look of a high-end custom kitchen, and don’t require electrical work. If you do update lighting that requires wiring, make sure you work with a licensed professional to ensure they’re safely installed.
Give your kitchen cabinetry a facelift. Buyers will always pay special attention to the kitchen – i.e. the heart of the home, and tend to be critical of outdated cabinetry. While installing new cabinets can cost tens of thousands of dollars, it’s easy to rehab existing cabinets that are in otherwise good condition. Refinish the doors, drawers and cabinet fronts with a fresh coat of paint, stain or a veneer, and install new pulls that match the finish of other kitchen fixtures. To create the feel of a modern, functional kitchen, consider retrofitting your current cabinets with pull-out drawers, organizers, and retractable trash cans.
Article source: Amy Howell Hirt, Libery Mutual Insurance, January 15, 2014