Easy Improvement Projects That Instantly Boost Your Home’s Market Value

Remodeling and renovating your home will make it more functional to live in and can potentially increase the value of your home if done correctly. However, not all home improvements are made equal. Although certain projects can significantly increase the value of your house, others can actually lower the selling price.

Home improvement projects will increase the value of your home, but there are ways to do so without depleting your savings account or going into debt. For instance, re-grouting tile, painting the interior walls anew (adorned with quirky last name wall signs), and power washing the exterior of your home are easy projects that won’t break the bank. Best of all, they will add significant value to your home.

If you’re ready to sell, you can list your home for a higher price with some DIY attitude, sweat equity, and a few bucks. If you aren’t, you can just enjoy finding a more beautiful place to live. Here are a few ideas for low-cost home improvement projects with high-value returns.

Repaint the walls.

A little elbow grease and a few cans of paint will make a big difference if your walls have cracks and dirty paint, an old stain, or fading wallpaper. Choose a neutral color scheme that makes space seem more prominent, unifies the look or theme of the entire house, and appeals to a wide range of prospective buyers to maximize the value of your home for sale.

Install crown molding.

Mounting a crown molding is a simple project that will give your home’s interior a unique look. Purchase the molding from a home improvement shop, cut it to match your room’s dimensions (or have the store cut it for you), then install it at the top of the wall using a nail gun. Voila, you have a ceiling with character.

These decorative strips may also be pre-painted. Crown molding installation does require some woodworking ability as well as the proper equipment, but it is a very affordable DIY project.

Update fixtures.

Switchplates, curtain rods, outlet covers, doorknobs, and light fixtures are often dull or forgotten, but you can add a lot of character for a few bucks. You can buy outlet covers and metal switch plates for as little as $5 apiece, certainly affordable but look expensive.

Decorative curtain rods and light fixtures can be more costly, but with a little spray paint, you can turn an inexpensive item into something beautiful and elegant. Again, if you want to sell, choose products in finishes and color that will cater to a wide range of customers.

Enhance the window treatments.

The low-cost vertical paper shades, plastic blinds, or horizontal aluminum blinds that might have come with your home do not add value to it. Consider installing wooden blinds, plantation shutters, or drapes in place of them. Again, if you’re selling, choose neutral choices that will help you get a higher price for your house.

Restore and reveal hardwood floors.

In older houses, hardwood floors are more likely to be hidden under carpet. Floor squeaks signify the existence of wood floors. If you are unsure, pull up your carpet in an inconspicuous corner and inspect it.

If you have wood floors, you will almost certainly need to refinish them to get them back to their former glory, but it will be much less costly than installing new flooring from scratch.

Clean fireplace brick.

If you have a brick fireplace with burnt wood, some of the brick is likely to be stained with creosote and soot. Clean and keep your fireplace in its pristine condition as possible, as it can be a home’s major selling point.

Wipe away some of the soot with a damp rag, then use a creosote-removing fireplace cleaner. It will take some scrubbing with a stiff brush and probably many treatments, but the brick will look great when you’re finished.

Finally, don’t forget to add some easy home decor pieces and fresh plants to liven up the space. For no maintenance at all, try some fake plants for bright greenery all year round, and some fairy lights for an ambient cosy atmosphere. Simple extra steps like these allows your home to appear much more inviting for when guests and potential buyers visit.