5 Proven Ways to Increase Home Value



Making your house more efficient, adding square footage, upgrading the kitchen or bath and installing smart-home technology can help increase its value.



1. Make it more attractive


Curb Appeal — how your home looks from the street — is your first chance to make a good impression. A home's exterior needs to make a prospective buyer want to walk through the front door.

Make sure existing landscaping is well-maintained. If your yard seems dull in comparison with your neighbors, consider planting flowers or repainting the front door.

Once the exterior looks good, focus on the kitchen and bathroom. When these two rooms are outdated, they can keep a property from reaching its highest valuation. A minor kitchen remodel recoups 81% of its cost in added value on average, versus 53% for an upscale kitchen remodel with stone countertops, custom cabinets and commercial-grade appliances.


The same is true for bathrooms; a midrange remodel — new flooring and a few updated fixtures — delivers a 70% return on investment, while an upscale bathroom remodel â€” heated flooring, custom cabinets and designer fixtures — sees 56% on average.


2. Make it low-maintenance


Since many home buyers worry about buying a home that will need constant maintenance, replacing a major component before putting it up for sale — like the furnace, water heater or even the roof â€” may calm fears of an emergency repair in the near future and help get you a higher price.

Improvements that make things easy to clean and maintain may also increase home value. Consider replacing easily stained carpet with hardwood floors or replace high-maintenance wood siding with vinyl siding.


3. Make it more efficient


Energy conservation features can have a significant impact on home value, depending on what area of the country you're in, 

Energy conservation features can have a significant impact on home value, especially in places that experience extreme heat or cold.

Consider double-paned windows, enhanced attic insulation, LED lighting and efficient appliances as a way to increase home value and entice energy-conscious buyers.

If you're willing to go bigger, put solar pannels.  But since solar panels are a big financial and structural commitment, they only make sense if you're hoping to increase value over the long term, not looking for a quick boost in resale value.

Schedule an assessment with a certified energy auditor or your utility company to determine where your home is wasting energy and which upgrades will save you the most money.


4. Make it bigger


Square footage has a huge impact on value. Price per square foot is one way she helps clients compare homes that are similar in style and upgrades.

Bigger homes often command higher values, and even if an appraiser doesn't officially acknowledge the full value of added space, a buyer will likely notice.

Adding a room is the obvious way to make your house bigger, but you can also create additional living space by finishing the basement or building a deck.

5. Make it smarter


Safety-enhancing gadgets top the list of “smart” technologies buyers want in their new homes. These safe and smart devices include thermostats, fire detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, security cameras, door locks and lighting.

While smart tech doesn't always increase home value, it does add appeal.

Those who see themselves as “techies” are more likely to pay more for these items.

Unlike replacing the roof or renovating the bathroom, you can usually install these devices yourself for about $600 or less.

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