Increase Your Home's Value

Increasing your home's value is a good idea whether or not you are planning to sell in the near future. Even if you are going to remain in your home for awhile, you will enjoy your home more with some carefully planned upgrades. Adding value to your home is also a good financial decision. Begin by touring your neighborhood.

Look at your neighbor's homes and see how they have kept their home's up. If people in your neighborhood have added a bathroom, then you may need to add a bathroom to bring your home up to par. Although you don't want to necessarily get into a competition with your neighbors, you do want to take steps to add value to your home. The amount of money that you spend on renovations does not mean you will add that same amount of money to the value of your home. In many cases, smaller projects can end up adding more value than larger ones. The best projects are ones that will add to your live while adding to your home's value at the same time.

Putting in nice appliances is a great way to accomplish this. A kitchen is always a remodeling project that pays off. Old tiles, beat-up appliances and damaged counters are big turn-offs to buyers. Pick improvements that will make you enjoy the home more as well. Good choices include adding more counter space, a bigger breakfast nook or replacing an old window with a big bay window in the dining room. Another popular option is put gourmet style appliances into a home kitchen. If the kitchen seems like too involved of a project, then a bathroom is always a good choice as well. As a homeowner, you will love a walk-in closet or a brand-new looking bathroom. A great option in the bathroom is to upgrade the bathtub to a Jacuzzi tub. Many homeowners design their bathrooms to feel like they are in a resort. Buyers will also appreciate this feel. Do your own research before you make a purchase. Do not buy things on impulse, but instead shop around and find out your own information. Decorating books and magazines are a great resource for ideas. If you have friends or neighbors that are going through a renovation project, they can serve as a wealth of information. You will also have to make sure that you have all the permits you need for your project before you get started.

Some improvements that can add value do not cost very much at all. Painting the inside and outside of the home will make a big difference. Pick colors that will go with the design of your home. On the inside of the home, use neutral colors so that buyers can see themselves in your home. Don't underestimate the value of a landscaped yard, either. As you pick what projects to take on to add value to your home, remember that the key is to pick things that you will enjoy as well!