If you are a home owner then you probably know the value of your house at it sits right now. You probably also know what the last few homes near you sold for. It’s something we tend to be heavily invested in, and rightfully so, as a home is the biggest purchase most of us will make in our lifetime.
We also are always looking for ways to increase the value of our house. This can be for resale reasons, to pull equity out in a mortgage refinance, or simply to just increase the value of the largest asset in your portfolio.
While things like a complete kitchen or bathroom remodel or the addition of a new floor will add immediate value, they also cost a lot of money. A kitchen can cost $30,000 and a new bathroom can reach $20,000. This isn’t exactly play money, so it’s not something everyone can do at the drop of a hat.
I’ve put together a few things that are a bit more affordable and will kick your value up a notch. If you are looking to do some affordable home improvements give these ideas a shot.
New Driveway
This is something that can be done in a weekend and thanks to new materials, the cost has come down a lot. Years ago you might be looking at north of $20,000 for a new driveway, but now you can get one done that looks amazing for about $5,000.
This really gives you house a “new” look and can completely transform your entry way, especially if your old driveway was really beat up.
Updated Landscaping
Redoing your yard is the easiest way to turn a blah house into a showstopper. New grass and landscaping instantly makes your property more appealing. This is a fast way to increase your value and if you are planning on selling your home it’s a great idea to have updated landscaping done.
It can be the difference of making your home look updated and modern or having a potential buyer pass on it because they get an “old” vibe. The more wild you go the higher the cost. But, even on the smallest budgets, a simple cleanup effort by a professional landscape company can transform your yard.
New AC and Heating
There is nothing more appealing to a potential home buyer than brand new heating and AC units. This ensures they will not have any issues for several years thanks to manufacturer warranties.
This can be costly, but if you hit the timing right you can often take advantages of installation specials and equipment discounts. The best thing to do is keep your eye open for online HVAC equipment sales, and be prepared to move fast when you find a deal too hard to pass up.
Fresh Pain Inside and Out
Want to transform a room for less than $100? Then consider applying a fresh coat of paint to all rooms inside and even an exterior fresh coat. It really makes the home look brand new and the cost is minimal if you do the work yourself.
If you hire a painting company the cost is high, but it’s the actual labor that is the expense. The materials and paint aren’t that bad. Want to know my hack for this?
Gather your buddies up for a weekend and supply the beer and BBQ. You will knock it out in a short amount of time and have a good time. If you all work together you can knock each other’s houses out. Everyone wins this way! Also make sure your roofing is in good shape if not hire a professional roofing company