There’s no right time to start making upgrades or improvements to your home. Some people choose to do upgrades as ideas pop up, while others prefer to make all of their home improvements at once. Either way, making improvements to your home can pay off big. Not only does it make your home more functional and comfortable while you’re still living in it, but it can also improve your home’s value. When the time comes to sell, you’ll be happy you made those improvements.
If you’re looking for home improvements that pay off, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our list of the top home improvements that can help you list your home for a higher price and improve your enjoyment of the home.
- Painting
When you first bought the house, the odds are that you were moving on a budget, and the only upgrade you could afford was a few coats of paint. This one is easy. It doesn’t take much time, energy, or money to paint your house, and it can have a dramatic effect. If you paint your house the right colors, you can make it feel like a completely new space.
If you’re planning on living in the house for years to come, you don’t have to worry about how other people will feel about the colors. Choose colors that promote what you want to feel in your home. For example, you may choose a calming purple for your bedroom but a vibrant yellow for your living room.
If you’re planning on selling your house, you’ll want to choose more neutral colors. These colors allow homebuyers to envision themselves in the home more easily since the space won’t look like it belongs to someone else.
- Upgrade Your Bed
This home improvement likely won’t help you sell your house, but it can help you sleep easier during such a stressful time. You don’t have to purchase a new mattress to make upgrades to your bed. Instead, consider using pillows that can help you sleep better no matter what. For example, if you suffer from acid reflux, an acid reflux pillow can help you fall asleep and stay asleep with less discomfort.
- A New Air Conditioner
A 5 ton AC system won’t only keep you cool more effectively and efficiently in the hot summer months, but it can also save you money. If your air conditioner hasn’t been replaced in a few years or decades, now is that time. New furnaces are more energy-efficient as well, which means that you’ll be paying less on your monthly electric bill.
- Build a Deck
A deck adds additional living space that many homebuyers are willing to pay a premium for. With additional seating and a palace to add a barbecue, you’ll be happy you added a deck for spending your time out in the sun every summer.
If you’re planning on selling your house, build a deck with natural wood for a higher return on your investment.
- Update Your Kitchen
This home improvement is one of the most time-consuming and costly on our list, but every home deserves a beautiful kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home for many families because it’s where everyone sits down to dinner together after a day spent apart. After raising a family in your house, your kitchen likely needs a little TLC.
Updating a few of your appliances can make cooking family meals easier and more fun while adding shelving can make your kitchen look brand new.
If you’re planning on selling your house, a newly renovated kitchen is a premium that buyers are willing to pay for. People looking to buy homes do not want to renovate the home themselves, so you’ll be saving them time and money, which makes them more likely to purchase your home.
If an appliance or kitchen overhaul isn’t in the cards for you financially, you can make cosmetic improvements like painting your cabinets or changing your handles.
- Landscaping
The front of your house is the first thing people see. If your home makes a bad first impression on buyers, they are less likely to purchase it even if the inside of the home is beautiful. Make sure that your landscaping is simple and not too over the top. If buyers want to add to the front or back yards, they can do so themselves, but you want to appeal to everyone, so it’s important to keep your grass healthy at the very least.
- Fix Up Your Basement
Your basement can provide you with extra square footage if you spend time down there. Unfortunately, many people choose not to finish their basements because it takes time and money. Fixing up your basement can help you appeal to buyers because it provides them with an additional space that they can use for entertainment or turn into an additional living space.
- Add Hooks
Not every improvement needs to cost you thousands of dollars. If you want to improve your home’s functionality, you can add hooks near the doors for people to hang their coats. This is especially beneficial if you don’t have a front hall closet for jackets, coats, and hats.
- Add a Pool
Adding a pool can provide you with a huge return on investment, but it can also offer you and your family an additional place to hang out during hot summers. A pool can help potential buyers see themselves relaxing in the home and enjoying their time at home, which will make them more likely to purchase your house.
Final Thoughts
Home improvements don’t have to break the bank to help you sell your home or increase its functionality. When considering home improvement, make sure that you set a budget for yourself and stick to it. It’s all too easy to go over budget, especially when renovating your home can be fun.
When it comes to making improvements with the goal of selling your house, do everything you can to make the potential homebuyers picture themselves living in your home, from staging it correctly to adding a deck or pool.
Matt Casadona
Matt Casadona has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. He is currently a contributing editor for 365 Business Tips. Matt is passionate about marketing and business strategy and enjoys the San Diego life, traveling and music.