Increasing your home’s curb appeal is one of the best ways to increase home value. Most
homeowners looking to sell
opt for a quick paint job. This is relatively inexpensive and easy to do; however, there is more to improving your home’s value with quality changes than just switching the color.
Your home has been an investment from the time you moved in. Continuing to invest in your home until the time you close the sale will maximize the value you will be able to receive from your home. Below we will explore how to increase home value with both curb appeal and inside upgrades.
Let's Make One Thing Clear: A Simple Paint Job Won't Automatically Make Everything *Better*
So, what is curb appeal, and does curb appeal increase home value? Curb appeal is the level of attractiveness of a property (appeal) and its surroundings from street view (the curb). And yes! Curb appeal draws in potential buyers and casual onlookers alike to take another look at your home. The more interest in your home, the more likely you are to get the highest offer possible.
And while a simple paint job can work some magic, it’s not the only way you can
increase your home’s charm and value. Let’s take a look at a variety of curb appeal ideas to inspire your home updates.
Yardwork
To kick off our outdoor home improvement ideas, we’ll start with the lawn and garden areas. Does landscaping increase home value?
Yes, and to improve your curb appeal, landscaping does not need to be fancy or extensive. Simply planting some flowers can go a long way by adding pops of color and showing care for the property. As a general rule of thumb, check that your current landscaping is in good condition and you’ll be set. If you have the means and time, you can also take a look at your outdoor entertaining spaces for more outdoor home improvement ideas and opportunities.
Exterior
To have exterior paint increase home value, plan ahead! Sometimes simplest is best: for example, repainting the front door can make a big impact for visual interest with a small amount of paint. If you’re needing a slightly larger project, color-coordinating fixtures, details, and other exterior elements like the shades and columns is one of our favorite curb appeal ideas.
At this step, it also may be a good idea to decide if your roof should be replaced or upgraded. Naturally, the cost would be determined by the roof size, pitch, materials, and the like; however, it
adds significantly to your property value
and is proven to increase your ROI when your house sells. So it’s not a matter of asking “Will a new roof increase home value?” Instead, ask yourself, “Is it worth the investment for our situation?”
Interior
Real estate listings’ first (or second) impression comes from the home interiors (pictures): value is in the eye of the beholder. Simply redecorating or reworking home interior styles can bring in a return of 5-10% of the home’s value. A kitchen or bathroom remodel, especially, would bring in even more.
If a full remodel is not in your range, work to incorporate those amenities that will fetch top dollar by showcasing the best of your existing spaces. For example, use mirrors strategically to make a room look bigger and brighter. Long curtains (i.e. windows in living spaces and showers in bathrooms) also give the illusion of space. Add statement pieces like lamps and headboards for style. Other small upgrades to consider are 1) hiding wires, 2) maximizing storage space, and 3) updating cabinet hardware.
Staging is such an important step in the selling process, and using quality design elements that show versatility and broad appeal will certainly help. Staging, when well done, helps buyers envision themselves in the space even if their home interior styles are not exactly the same. The staging agents at Landmark Realty can help you with ideas in this area to get the best images when selling your home.
Consider Hiring An Inspector
Besides a professional stager, you should also consider hiring an inspector.
A home inspection will likely be a part of the closing process, and by having Tennessee home inspectors come out beforehand, you can get a report of any problems to fix and won’t have to worry about passing the inspection or losing money later on.
What do home inspectors look for? Certified home inspectors examine the interior and exterior of the home including the foundation and structure, roof, and important systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical). Their inspection may also include the attic, ceilings and floors, and windows and doors. Check with your inspector for more information about what they provide in their written report. If you do not know a home inspector, check with your Landmark Realty selling agent and they can provide you with a recommendation.
Clean and Declutter Your Home Before Putting it on the Market
During their search,
potential buyers are looking for anything
that could be a deal-breaker. Set yourself up for success and declutter your home. Follow it up with a deep clean that will go a long way to make open house guests feel at home. Don’t forget to dust from ceilings to baseboards and to clean the floors.
Entryway/Hallway
Their impression of the entryway is a quick way for open house guests to continue their visit or look for other options. Draw them in with an organized space to hang coats or store shoes and keys.
Hallways, especially noticeably narrow ones, should be kept free of visual and physical clutter. Set a limit on hooks, photographs, and artwork for now.
Living Room
Declutter your home’s living areas by clearing out magazines, paring down your bookshelves, and tidying up pillows and blankets. Remember that too many items in these spaces can weigh down and seemingly shrink the room.
Kitchen
Hide your countertop appliances and clear your counters. Here you need to show off the space and storage opportunities in your kitchen – an area already under high scrutiny.
Closets/Hidden Storage Rooms
Streamline your closets and other storage areas to make a bigger impact on buyers. These spaces are especially sought after, so highlight them accordingly (and not by filling them to the brim).
There's Nothing Slicker Than A Fresh Coat of Paint!
After considering other curb appeal ideas, does painting increase home value still? Yes, and you are absolutely right to use fresh paint colors to increase home value.
We know that certain colors and trends come in and out of style, so there are two routes you can go: 1) pay attention to what is ‘trendy’ and eye-catching, or 2) opt for a more ‘timeless’ color. Either way can make the most outdated interiors and exteriors look brand new for a relatively low cost.
Signs That Your House is in Need of a Fresh Coat
Giving your home a fresh coat of paint removes a popular bargaining chip used by potential buyers to get your home price down: a house ‘in need of love’.
Telltale signs that your house needs fresh coats of paint include fading, flaking, and peeling. You should also look for the less noticeable signs detailed below that may be caught by buyers and their agents.
Home Exteriors:
- Cracks and gaps
- Wood rot
- Water damage, mold, mildew
With the signs listed above, it is important to replace and/or repair broken materials before repainting. You could also consider repainting if the house color clashes with the neighbors. The important thing is showing your home’s exterior is well-maintained to get more potential buyers in the door.
Home Interiors:
- Peeling or chipping
- Faded and discolored paint
- Outdated or improper color palette
Potential home buyers, especially in this market, may not be keen on taking on their own DIY projects. Make sure the interiors look cohesive, and if you need to repaint, choose paint colors to increase home value while appealing to the most buyers possible. To maximize your paint’s effectiveness, go for quality neutral colors in a flat finish to minimize the look of any imperfections in the walls.
Add Usable Square Footage
Adding on to the usable square footage (or optimizing the existing space) in your home could be a great option for areas with limited real estate. Potential buyers and their agents are always running calculations on price per square foot – one study by the National Association of Realtors found that the sale price of a home went up 30% for every 1000 square feet added.
What rooms should you choose to add more square footage to your home? Bedrooms and bathrooms are key. These spaces are so valuable for families of all sizes and provide a great return on investment with an average in the mid-80% range. When you invest in adding more square footage, you quickly increase your home value with more room for them.
Energy-Saving Features and Appliances
Energy prices will likely continue to go up, so it is more important than ever to upgrade to energy-efficient appliances. Making these modifications will result in lower monthly costs for you and the future homeowners and higher value for your home when you sell.
First, you should order a home energy audit to see where you should make improvements. Possible improvement options include upgrading your windows, choosing energy-efficient home automation systems, and signing up for an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) to help pay for those upgrades.
When you list an energy-efficient home, it’s a win-win-win for all: you, the new homeowners, and our world.
Once You Decide To Put Your Home on the Market, Contact Landmark Realty
Even if you’re not ready to sell yet, the team at Landmark Realty is here to teach you how to increase home value. We know what buyers are looking for and are familiar with our communities in Camden and Paris, TN.
To get more information for your home selling journey, fill out our
online form or call
731-642-0515 (Paris) or
731-584-7777 (Camden). We’re always here to help with the best ways to increase home value!
