Are you looking to sell your home in the near future? While the location and the popularity of your home’s market are out of your control, some factors in its value are up to you. If like most homeowners, you believe your house is your biggest asset, taking care of it should be a top priority. The good news is, keeping up with repairs and making smart improvements are both proven ways to increase home value over time. Whether you want to go the DIY route or hire some professionals, read on for 7 ways to add value to your home before selling.
Clean
‘Tis the season for spring cleaning! It’s a great opportunity for a fresh start, clear mind
and a better looking home. Before you hit the store – know that you don’t need commercial cleaning products to do the job right. A few natural ingredients may be all you need to get your home sparkling clean, plus, they’re free of those nasty chemicals! Everyday ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and rubbing alcohol can freshen and sanitize your home, so start there.
Declutter
When looking to add value to your home before selling, you should begin by decreasing the amount of stuff inside it. Doing some decluttering is a relatively inexpensive task, whether you tackle the job yourself or hire a professional. Start by making donation piles from cabinets and closets and cleaning out drawers and other storage areas. You can move onto things like refrigerator magnets and other personal trinkets, countertops and other horizontal spaces. You’ll be pleased with the results of decluttering, whether or not you’re listing your home soon!
Repair
Improvements that make things easy to clean and maintain may also increase home value. Since many buyers worry about buying a home that will need constant maintenance, replacing certain components before putting it up for sale (like the furnace, water heater or even the roof) may calm fears of an emergency repair in the future and help get you score a higher price.
Paint
One of the most popular home improvement projects is painting. A fresh coat of paint can make even dated exteriors and interiors look fresh and new – and it’s not as expensive as you may think. Begin by repainting any rooms with a “random” color scheme. For example, did you let your daughter paint her bedroom hot pink back in the day? Making sure your home has a neutral color scheme will make it appealing to the average buyer – and that’s important. Your painting budget will of course depend on which rooms you’re giving a new splash of color. You may also consider painting the exterior of your home, as this is one of the easiest ways to improve its appearance.
Curb Appeal
From power washing your driveway to mowing the lawn, improving curb appeal can definitely add value to your home before selling. 
Upgrading your landscape alone can go a long way in improving appearances – especially if your neighbors’ yards are looking good. Some ideas include a fresh walkway, planters, mulching, a new patio or outdoor kitchen. Also in the way of curb appeal is replacing an old front door. The door to your home (and even your garage) offers a great opportunity to add a classy pop of color and texture. The front of the home is the first thing prospective buyers will see. Garage doors often take up the most amount of space on the front of your home, so installing a modern glass panel or rustic wood door will dramatically improve your home’s look and feel.
Kitchen
Many buyers tend to focus on the kitchen as the central feature of a home – so if yours is outdated – it can have a major impact on your profit. Likewise, it’s important to maximize the space by utilizing your kitchen fully. One thing to consider here is that you may not see that return on investment with a full remodel. So if updating your entire kitchen is too big of an undertaking, minor updates could still have an impact (things like re-grouting floors, coordinating appliances and installing modern hardware on your cabinets). The same is true for bathrooms; updated fixtures, custom cabinets and fixtures will easily add value to your home.
Staging
If you’re planning to list your home, consider skipping cosmetic home improvements and go with a home staging service instead. 73% of staged homes sell for over their listing price – and staged homes sell nine days faster than the average. Staging costs an average of about $1,500, with the cost varying based on your home’s needs. Staging services also range widely, from decluttering and depersonalization (removing family photos or specific decor) to bringing in rented furnishings, repainting and more. The more work involved to stage, the more expensive the production will be. A real estate agent can help you determine which staging services would increase the value of your home.
Are you or someone you know selling in the near future? Let us know if these tips align with your needs – or if you have ideas we haven’t mentioned – in the comments below!
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