Real estate almost always appreciates in value, but there are certain changes that can be made to a home to further increase value. Adding on to a home and finishing a basement or attic are typically the best projects for increasing property value, but these are not D.I.Y. projects… and they’re often much more expensive.
Fortunately, there are a number of home improvement projects that you can do yourself— even if you don’t consider yourself very handy. However, it’s always better to consult the help of a professional if you’re unsure because a poor job will decrease property value rather than increase it.
Before deciding on a home renovation project or two, you must first do a property evaluation to determine how much your property is currently worth. This way, you’ll avoid spending too much money on pricey renovations and make smarter decisions. Once you have this settled, you can choose one or more of these renovation projects!
If you consider yourself a homeowner wanting to shift to the Summit country of Utah, the chances are that your average housing market would retail at a steep price of $1,325,000. Therefore, in a situation like this, homeowners need to ensure that they increase the overall property value through cost-effective DIY home renovation projects based on their property evaluation.
When dealing with Utah Real Estate, an effective DIY home renovation method would be to paint the exterior of the house now (especially if you reside someplace near Salt Lake City), since the continuous rainy weather is likely to ruin the paint coat.
Paint the Walls, Kitchen Cabinets, Etc.
A fresh coat of paint can really freshen things up— and it doesn’t have to be boring! Paint an accent wall (usually the wall that acts as a focal point) in one or more of your rooms, and you can also get creative with trim and board and batten walls to create more dimension. Even freshening up your interior doors with a new coat of paint can liven up your home.
If you’re looking for some inspiration you can check out the latest trends from property investment companies like RWinvest. The designs for their most recent residential accommodation and student property investment offers modern, simplistic, and timeless ideas that will work in any property.
While you’re painting, don’t forget to paint your kitchen cabinets— or you can even replace the cabinets if you choose. Currently, “tuxedo” cabinets are in style, where you paint your top kitchen cabinets a lighter color (usually white) and your bottom kitchen cabinets a darker color (usually black or dark gray).
Update Your Flooring
If you still have carpet flooring, it’s time to update to hardwood, laminate, or vinyl flooring. Almost all types of flooring that isn’t carpet increases property value. This is because carpet isn’t a hypoallergenic type of flooring material— it collects and traps dirt, dust, and pet dander, and is very hard to get completely clean.
Hardwood flooring can be expensive and pretty hard to install, but laminate flooring is much more affordable, easy to install, and looks very similar to true hardwood floors. Vinyl flooring is also more affordable, easy to install, and can look similar to hardwood. It also comes in a variety of colors and patterns, and is perfect for high-moisture areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Renovations that Don’t Require Professionals
The majority of home renovations (cosmetic changes) don’t require a professional— with the exception of roofing projects. It’s the remodeling projects (structural changes) that usually require a professional contractor or subcontractor, such an electrician or a plumber.
Some home renovation projects, such as updating your kitchen countertops or upgrading the bath or toilet in your bathroom, don’t always require a professional. These are projects that can be done by the homeowner, but require a little more skill than the other projects listed above. If you think you can handle these types of projects, then go for it! These updates, along with updating the hardware, are sure to increase property value.
Don’t Forget the Exterior!
One of the easiest things that all homeowners can do to increase their property value is to improve their curb appeal. Curb appeal is the exterior of your home and your yard— and it’s the first thing that’s seen when someone approaches your property.
Just like with the interior of your home, a fresh coat of paint can really freshen things up on the outside. Paint the front door, the window shutters, and even the entire house if necessary. Even a good pressure wash can make your home look brand new. Also, make sure that your siding isn’t coming off and that your gutters are clean.
You should also pay attention to the landscaping of your front and back yards. Start by making sure that your lawn is kept nice, and this can be done with the help of a professional lawn service. After this, you can choose to add some additional flowers and plants around your driveway, mailbox, or anywhere else on your property.
Consider some of these home improvement projects if you’re on a budget, but you’d like to update your home to increase your property value. You can even attempt more complex projects if you believe that you can pull it off. Just remember that if it requires you to work from a height, obtain a permit, or work with electrical wiring or plumbing fixtures, then it’s probably best left to the professionals.
