One of the best ways to boost a home’s value is to make it more attractive to buyers. A new front door can add a lot to the appearance of a house, and a landscaping project can bring a nice pop of color. Cleaning and retouching worn areas of a home’s siding can also improve its appearance. While a backyard paradise isn’t particularly important when it comes to improving resale value, it will likely add to the home’s appearance.
While it is essential to make your home look its best, it’s also important to remember that the wrong home improvement project can actually hurt your home’s resale value. In general, the more custom a project is, the less likely it is to increase the value. For example, a home recording studio in the basement isn’t a good idea if you’re selling to a young family. Similarly, a $10,000 kitchen range and marble floors in the bathroom won’t impress a potential buyer.
While many of the home improvements we see today will increase the value of our home, they may not add as much as they did just a few years ago. For example, replacing a leaky roof is an expensive investment, but it will give your home a more professional appeal. Even if you’re not planning on reselling your house anytime soon, a new roof will add a lot of value to your property and spare you the hassle of selling it as-is. To determine the cost of a renovation project, you should consult with a local contractor. Since most improvements are much slower than a few years ago, labor and materials are already baked into the average price. If you can do some of the work yourself, you’ll be able to stretch your money further.