5 Ways to Add Value to Your Home

Your home is not just a place to live in and raise a family; it’s also a valuable investment. And, unlike many investments, it’s easy to grow and add value to – not just as a living space but as a source of profit if (or when!) it comes time to sell.

Here are five ideas for raising the value of your house.

1. Landscaping

Your front yard is responsible for the first impression anyone has of your house, and your backyard is your own private park. It can be as simple as putting in a few new flowers into your garden beds and laying down some mulch to keep it neat and weed-free, or as a complex as a new pool, new path, and new turf. Add some new lawn furniture for the backyard, or maybe a love seat for the front porch, and you’ve given your home a facelift – and, if you’re selling, nothing catches the eye in a real estate photograph like a well-manicured garden.

2. New Carpet

Carpet should, on average, be replaced every ten years… so maybe it’s time to say goodbye to that ‘70s chartreuse shag-pile and modernise with something fresh, new, and easy to maintain. Or maybe its time to carpet those rooms in your house that might still be bare floorboards. On top of providing softness underfoot, carpet can also help keep your house cooler in hot weather and absorb sound. If you’re worried about the maintenance of carpet compared to hard flooring – don’t be! With modern, nylon carpet, available from carpet manufacturers like Stainmaster, stains simply don’t get absorbed, instead staying on the surface of the fibres. Nylon is also much tougher than many natural fibres, making it last longer in high-traffic areas.

3. New Paint

Colour schemes can date quite quickly, but – thankfully – they’re not too difficult to change. The colour of the walls has a huge impact on the feel and mood of any room, and this also dictates the colour of the rest of your interior design. So if your living room is still coated in ‘80s-era pastel pink and cream, bust out the brushes and drop sheets. And don’t think you’re limited to one colour for your entire house – or even per room; pick a colour based on the mood and tone your want to set for that room, and then pick out a complementary colour for a feature wall.

4. Add Some Hidden Features

Some of the most valuable additions to a home aren’t immediately visible, but their presence will definitely be welcome. Heating and cooling is an obvious one; ducted air conditioning will be highly prized, both by your family and any potential buyers. Underfloor heating is especially welcome in bathrooms in winter. Internal wiring for home theatre systems in the den or living area can also be a clever investment and will ward off a messy tangle of cables snaking over your floors. Hardwired networking connections and multiple phone lines for those who might want to work from home will also add both value and convenience.

5. Extensions, Additions and Major Remodeling

This is a little on the extreme side and certainly not the cheapest option here, but it’s also the one that will add the most value to your home. If you don’t have a carport, add one. If you have a carport, build a garage. Add a garden shed, a deck, a pool, an extension, or even a whole new floor to you home! Check with your local building regulations and make sure you consult with professional tradespeople to find out exactly what needs to be done and how. These are all fairly long-term, highly-involved projects, so make sure you plan well.

These are just a few ideas to boost the value of your home; there’s something here for almost any type of residence. Have you done anything recently to increase your home’s value? Share your tips and ideas in the comments below.

Image courtesy of vorakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net