Own an old, run-down home? Want to turn over a new leaf and sell your property to a prospective homeowner?
If you said yes to both, then you’re in luck. Property and real estate values have never been higher, and it’s only shaping to ride an uptrend as time goes on.
But what if we told you that you can ride this trend in full throttle? While even seemingly ordinary homes sell for a median price of $1.2 million in NSW, you can attract buyers with bigger pockets by implementing a few home improvements.
Before you write these home improvement projects off as major, costly renovations, don’t! There is a tonne of ways you can increase the value of your property without emptying your savings account.
Without further ado, here are some home improvement projects you can consider to skyrocket your property value.
1) Beautify The Front Yard
First impressions matter — and this can’t be any more true when it comes to property valuation. Curb appeal is an essential and often overlooked step for attracting homebuyers, and you can achieve this by taking out the shovel and work tools and spicing up your front yard.
You don’t have to go overboard with this—simply adding a layer of mulch and incorporating some simple landscaping techniques can instantly get your property oozing with charm. If you have flowers and plants already present in your garden, you can prune any signs of overgrowth and re-organize them to make them more appealing too.
Furthermore, if you plan to post pictures of the property online or in magazines, ensure that the grass isn’t overgrown and that the pathways and walkways are clean. These little things can spell the difference between a sale and no sale, so don’t overlook them.
2) Incorporate Smart Home Technology
The technological space is moving at a break-neck pace, penetrating industries and places that no one would’ve expected coming.
Of course, real estate is no exception. Smart home technologies are becoming more and more prominent in your everyday suburbia, and you can ensure you’re not falling behind by incorporating a few of these appliances in your real estate listing.
The good news is that you don’t have to get your hands on extremely high-tech devices yet, either. A simple digital lock can be a nod to your technologically-forward mindset, which can attract these tech-savvy consumers. CCTVs and light switches that can be controlled by a mobile app are also a plus.
3) Install Quality Temperature Control Systems
One of the most vital components of promoting comfort in a home is temperature control. This can be easily achieved with the right A/C and heating systems.
Not only do these appliances provide a much-needed respite from extreme weather (especially during the grueling summer months), but they also ensure that prospective buyers won’t have to shell out extra money for these systems.
Even if you have these temperature control measures at home already, it’s not always a guarantee that they’re working at top efficiency. As such, it’s important to get them checked and make sure they’re well-maintained before you put your property on the market.
It’s important to keep in mind, however, that Incorrect HVAC installation can cause more harm than it’s worth. Though it can be tempting to save a few pennies by doing it on your own, air conditioning installation done by a qualified professional will ensure that your climate control setup is easy on the eyes and save you money in the long run.
4) Install Energy-Efficient Lighting
Lighting can change the entire mood of a space. This doesn’t only apply to the strength of the light itself, but also the colour grade that it emits. If your prospecting customer is doing a house tour, an outdated lighting system can be a major turn-off.
Fortunately, you don’t have to completely retain your current lighting setup. Nor should you do so if your goal is to amp up your house’s modernity. To really set yourself out from the competition, you can invest in modern lighting fixtures that are energy-efficient and high-quality, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
Besides the aesthetic benefits, you’ll also get the added advantage of saving money in the long run. Lighting accounts for nearly 30% of the total energy consumed in a standard household—and potentially more if your current lighting is inefficient. By relying on energy-efficient lighting, you can attract customers through the promise of lower energy bills.
5) Touch Up Your Home’s Interior
The interior of your property is just as important (if not more) as the exterior. After all, this is an area that prospective buyers will be spending most of their time in.
To give your home an extra edge, think about sprucing it up with a few interior design touches. This could be as simple as repainting the walls, getting new furniture pieces, or even installing a few subtle accents.
If you’re feeling a bit more daring, you can also think about incorporating budget-friendly features such as built-in bookshelves. You can even undertake major renovations like revamping an old storage room into a guest room.
In doing so, you can give your home an entirely new feel to it. Plus, knowing that you have been making big changes to your home recently can be a major point of attraction for homeowners, so don’t dismiss it!
