5 Simple Upgrades to Increase the Value of Your Home

With so much time being spent at home these days, chances are you might be looking for a few simple upgrades to increase the value of your home. Before you jump into a new reno, it’s a good idea to know which projects and improvements will actually give you the best return on investment. To make sure you’re not wasting time or money on areas that won’t benefit your bottom line once you sell, here are a few upgrades to focus on that will boost the value of your home.

Create an Open Concept Layout

If you’re living in an older home, chances are it has narrow hallways and smaller, boxed-in rooms. Though this can create a cozy space, it can also make your home feel dark, cramped and stuffy. Today, modern designs are all about the open concepts that knock out unnecessary walls to bring in more natural light. If you have a bunch of walls separating the dining room, living room or kitchen, consider taking them down to make your interior look bigger, brighter and more inviting. Talk to a professional contractor to ensure this is done safely, avoiding any support structures.

Replace the Front Door

Your front door is the focal point of your exterior, which means it draws in the eye more than any other feature. If yours is looking weathered, faded or cracked, getting a replacement is a quick and easy upgrade. This will not only improve safety and your curb appeal, but it will also reduce drafts, improve energy efficiency and make your home look polished. If you’re thinking about getting a replacement, consider opting for a steel door as these typically have a high ROI, are durable and are extremely low maintenance. These doors can be found in a variety of attractive designs and colours.

Sprucing Up Your Landscape

Homebuyers today want to move into a home that’s as turnkey as possible. That means minimal to no work required, except for a maybe few personalized, aesthetic enhancements. But when it comes to areas such as the landscape, these are features that should be done prior to listing your property on the market. 

The curb appeal of a home is a crucial selling feature (especially now!) because it shows the buyer whether the rest of the home has been well-maintained or neglected. So the better your landscape looks, the better that first-impression will be, even before the potential buyers step inside. Also, since more of us are staying closer to home these days, the backyard is becoming even more of a hot selling feature with a higher ROI. Investing in simple upgrades to the patio area, lawn and garden will definitely be reflected in your selling price.

Add a New Coat of Paint

If you’re on a tighter budget, you can add a fresh coat of paint to drastically improve the look of your home and make features look new again. Focus on areas that have scuff marks and fingerprints, and any flaking areas like around the railings and doorways. Painting the trim around your home is another excellent way to clean up quickly.

Upgrade Faucets and Door Handles

Sometimes, it’s the simple things that make the biggest difference, and there’s no better example of this than with new faucets and door handles. Old knobs on the cupboards or faucets that have been hanging around since the 90s can make your entire home look dated and neglected. A simple upgrade to modern stainless steel or brushed nickel will give your kitchen and bathroom an instant facelift, making them look modern and elegant.

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