Your home is most likely the biggest investment you’ve ever made, and it’s imperative that you work hard to keep its value at the right end. But how do you do this? To begin, you’ll be well-advised to be aware of some of the big problems that can affect home values. The good news is that most of these can be within your control so that ultimately, the protection of your investment is down to you. Check out five of the things that have an influence below, and do your best to make sure they don’t become problems.
Annoying Neighbors
Alas, this first reason is kind of beyond your control, or at least to a degree. As nice as your home might be unless it’s on a street without any other homes, the value is going to be influenced by the people who live around you. Living next to a house that has been left in ruins or abandoned, for example, will have a knock-on effect when it comes to your property’s valuation. If you have neighbors who are present but just loud, then don’t rule out having a polite word with them – most people are happy to be quieter once they know it’s a problem.
Major Problems
Your home might look pleasant overall, but if there’s an underlying problem, then you might notice the hit on your value. The two big culprits are structural and water damage. To keep these problems to a minimum, it’s important that you stay on top of any damage. If your home is hit by a flood, then contact a company like restorationez.com and get that water cleaned up as soon as possible; it’ll help prevent long-term damage. The sooner you work on fixing the structural damage, the easier (and less expensive) it’ll be to fix, too.
Going too Big
You want to make your home as impressive as possible. But be aware that making it too good might have an adverse effect. In some cases, the house will be too nice – and won’t fit in with the surrounding area, which will affect value. In others, there might just be expensive additions that no-one really wants, like a swimming pool, for example. Best to keep things modest unless you’re sure it’ll value.
Unkempt Front Yard
It’s amazing how many people don’t take the time to ensure their front yard is in good shape. They can spend a long time on the inside, work hard in the backyard, and then neglect the front! Curb appeal has a big influence on home value, so don’t overlook this crucial area of your property.
Three Bad Rooms
You can get away with a few less than stellar rooms in your house, but if the big three – bathroom, living room, and master bedroom – are not what they should be, then you’ll be asking for trouble. Keep these rooms relatively neutral so that prospective buyers can see the potential of the room. Anything outlandish will only cost your home value!
