We’re approaching the best time of year for sellers to list their homes on the market. In the summer months, sellers are most likely to net 9.2% more than any other time of year.
The problem? You’re up against a lot of competition in the summer, so your house needs to stand out. A little home improvement can boost your home’s value and give you that competitive edge.
Read on for the home improvement list that will increase your home value with ease.
Boost Your Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is important because it creates the first impression of your property. If your yard looks messy or neglected, prospective buyers will enter your home with a negative feeling.
Mowing the lawn and adding some native, drought-resistant plants can do wonders for your home’s value. Let your potential buyers know that in order to maintain the fantastic lawn you’ve created, they won’t have to do much work.
Paint the Walls a Neutral Color
Natural light tends to be at the top of most buyers’ lists. Not only does it lower the need for lamps and overhead lights during the day (an energy bill win), but it has a good impact on your mood and mental health.
Neutral-colored walls, especially white or eggshell, amplify any natural light your house receives.
Clean or Replace Your Carpeting
Carpeting tends to trap all sorts of dust and other irritants that lower the quality of your indoor air. Plus, if your carpeting is dirty or worn out, potential buyers will consider it one of the things that they will have to pay to fix–which will decrease the amount they’re willing to pay for the property.
Have your carpet cleaned if it’s still in good shape but more than six months old. If it’s stained or the pile is flattened, have it replaced. You may even want to consider checking out the wood flooring beneath the carpet to see if it’s worthy of being exposed.
Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Speaking of air quality and energy bills, when was the last time you had your air ducts cleaned?
When your HVAC is pushing air through dusty, gunked-up air ducts, it sends a bit of that mess into the air, causing trouble for residents with asthma or airborne allergies. It also forces the HVAC to work a lot harder to pump new air into the house, which takes a big toll on your energy bill.
Since it’s a tricky job, make sure you hire professionals to take care of your air duct cleaning.
Add Budget-Friendly Tasks to Your Home Improvement List
Reading through our home improvement list, you’ll notice that most of these tasks are budget-friendly. When you’re looking for ways to boost your home’s value, make sure you stick to cost-effective solutions to keep your initial investment low. That way, your return on investment is great!
For more helpful tips on the real estate market, bookmark our page and check in with us to see what else we’ve got cooking.
