by B. Leslie Baird

Created on: June 24, 2010

There are many easy improvements you can do, or have done, that can add to your home's value. The types of improvements you choose will depend on why you are wanting to add value to your home and how much you are willing to spend. Two of the situations for wanting to add value are for resale or for personal enjoyment.

Adding value for selling your home:

If you want to add to your resale value you may wish to consider improvements that are not only easy but also inexpensive. It is important to keep in mind that certain improvements may end up being detrimental. A fresh coat of paint can be a low cost and easy improvement but your color choice may not be what a buyer has in mind.

Adding value for your own enjoyment:

If you are planning on staying in your home you may wish to choose improvements that are more costly but will pay off over time. Having a new high efficiency furnace installed is an easy improvement but expensive. The difference is that you will see savings in your utilities and your easy improvement will probably pay for itself.

Cleaning and de-cluttering:

One of the easiest ways to add value to your home for any reason is by cleaning and de-cluttering it. You do not need to repaint, just wash the walls. Clean everything that you can see and then find what you can not see. Get rid of anything that you do not need or value. You will enjoy your home more and clean, clutter free homes do have a higher sale value.

Maintenance:

Whether you are selling your home or staying in it keeping appliances maintained is always beneficial. Call for a furnace and air conditioning tune up. Get some appliance paint and repair any scratches. Replace the burner rings on your stove. Lubricate all of your door hinges. Replace worn out faucet handles. Little improvements can really add up and take only a few minutes of your time to complete.

Landscaping:

Landscaping and curb appeal are the first thing a potential buyer sees. The outside of your home is also the first thing you see when you return home from work or running errands. If the outside of your home is causing you stress it is an area you should work on.

You can hire a professional landscaper or choose to do the work yourself. Trim any overgrown trees or shrubs. Apply some weed and feed or at least spray a safe weed treatment. Add some grass seed to bare areas. Plant a few flowers; the easiest would be perennials that require little care. You may even find a neighbor that has an overgrowth of bulbs or tubers and would be glad to give some to you.

Take a look at your sidewalk and driveway while you are working outside. Remove any weeds growing through cracks and repair any damaged areas. If your driveway is asphalt you can re-coat it yourself or hire someone to do it for you.

Complete kitchen or bathroom remodeling is neither easy nor inexpensive. You might consider just adding new towel rods or a new medicine cabinet in your bathroom. Try updating the lighting in your kitchen. Having a nicely lit kitchen will be more enjoyable for you and can add value in the eyes of a buyer. If you are selling your home ask your real estate agent what improvements they recommend. If you are staying in your home go to your local building supply store with a note pad and make a list of everything that catches your attention. Try one simple idea at a time and over time you will reap the rewards of your home improvement work.

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