Upgrading your home sounds daunting, but there are inexpensive ways to bring your space up-to-date. Tackle one room at a time and go project-by-project. Whether you’re investing in your home or preparing to show it to potential buyers, it’s worth your while to make necessary improvements and add a few luxuries.
If you’re interested in increasing the value of your home, consider these 5 upgrades:
- Updating Your Heating and Cooling IQ
Smart technology isn’t just a neat way to make your home high-tech, although it does that too. It also increases the value of your house. The upgrades are eco-friendly and cost-effective, which is a selling point for savvy home buyers who aren’t interested in spending a fortune on heat and electricity on top of their mortgage. Innovative heating and cooling systems cut down on waste, and they’re convenient for you as a homeowner.
Smart thermostats are among the most helpful updates. Programmable thermostats are hard to figure out and confusing to program, whereas intelligent thermostats operate through an app. They link to your smartphone, tablet, or a home assistant similar to Alexa or Google Home. Not only can you program the temperature from wherever you are, but you can also turn on the AC or heat before arriving home from work or vacation so that the house is comfortable when you arrive. The initial cost may seem high, but you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the long run from the energy savings.
- Upgrading to a Modern Kitchen
Stainless steel appliances, granite or marble countertops, and a new floor bring your kitchen up-to-date. To take it to the next level, outfit it with smart appliances, or at least a smart fridge. Just changing the hardware on the cabinets and in the sink can give your kitchen a fresh new look without breaking the bank.
If you’re willing to splurge a bit, install a new dishwasher. They aren’t incredibly expensive, but they often make the difference between attracting multiple bids and watching your property sit on the market for months. A garbage disposal is another winning addition, and while it’s not typically a sticking point for would-be buyers, they make the kitchen more attractive.
- Turning Your Bathroom into a Palace
You entertain in the living room and relax in the bedroom. You cook in the kitchen and gather together in the dining room. Each space is significant, but arguably no room in your home is as essential as the bathroom.
Today’s home buyers want well-appointed bathrooms. The easiest way to lose an offer is to show an outdated space with an old tub, rusty pipes, and leaky fixtures. Even if you can’t gut everything and start from scratch, you can polish what you have. Consider less expensive fixes, such as changing the vanity for the sink, switching the mirrors, and updating the toilet. Failing that, a splash of paint, a shower or bathtub kit, and new mirrors work in a pinch.
If you’re serious about selling, a master bathroom renovation is critical. An old, shallow tub from the ’60s or ’70s won’t impress anyone, but a rainfall shower or claw foot tub compensates for a tiny space. On that note, think about creating storage space by building up, not out. Shelving units in the bathroom can be both practical and decorative.
- Adding a Home Gym
Amenities make your home more palatable—just like in a hotel. Unexpected niche rooms tend to charm buyers and guests alike. As with any other upgrade, it benefits you as the homeowner, as well. A home gym is more practical than, say, a home theater. It improves your health at the same time it increases the value of your property.
The space you choose for the gym needs plenty of light. Windows provide natural lighting, which is ideal, but recessed tap lights provide enough illumination. An airy room is necessary to encourage a healthy, rigorous workout; It’s impossible to exercise successfully in hot, stuffy areas. You need a mirror, but you should also consider sticking a large block of window panels to one wall. A barre isn’t a bad idea, either, and it’s cheap to install. Otherwise, leave the room free of clutter. Place shelving and organizational units along the walls so that there’s enough floor space.
Regardless of size, the best home gyms contain multi-functional exercise machines and workout equipment. A stationary bike or elliptical is a must-have. Every gym needs either a weight bench or a selection of free weights. To work on your arms, core, muscle control, and hand-eye coordination, you should include a quality heavy bag, which doesn’t take up much room but provides an abundance of benefits. It’s also an eye-catching addition, meaning that if you do put your house on the market, it might be the detail that convinces someone to make an offer. From there, consider a rowing machine, a medicine ball, and yoga mats.
- Take It Outside
Never underestimate the power of curb appeal. The outside portion of your property often baits the buyer before anything else. The landscaping is the first thing people see as they approach your home. If it’s in the budget, hire professionals to design gardens or plant a few bushes and trees. There’s very little you can’t do yourself, though.
A lush, manicured lawn is vital. Dirt patches and scrubby grass won’t dazzle anyone. Wait for sales at your local home and garden center, then buy up trees, flowers, and other plants that are native to your climate. Grass seeds work wonders, as well, and they shoot up as long as you water the lawn regularly.
If nothing else, a few coats of paint in pleasing colors and a thorough cleaning will work wonders. Window treatments are another option. Have you made any home improvements recently?
Author Bio: Carl Turner is a freelance lifestyle writer from Los Angeles, California. During his free time, he enjoys kayaking, hiking, and reading.
