Work and raising a young family takes preference over most things; and in many cases, house maintenance, repairs, and improvements are continuously put on the back shelf.
If you’re in the unfortunate situation of being furloughed due to the current pandemic, and are maybe considering selling your house, have you considered using the extra time to get the value of your home back up to scratch?
Now would be a good time to take stock, and consider these six steps to get the value of your home back to where it should be, and maximize its value.
Freshen Up Your Curb Appeal
Prospective buyers often make an unconscious decision about your home within 20 seconds of pulling up to the curb.
If the exterior needs a little tender loving care, consider the following updates.
Give the masonry a fresh coat of paint, and power‑wash and repaint the window and door frames.
Add a new front door or paint the existing one in an attractive accent color.
Replace guttering, downpipes, and soffits as needed, and address any cracked, broken, or missing roofing tiles or shingles to make a strong first impression.
All these will make a massive difference to your home’s curb appeal.
Additional Off-Street Parking
Whether you live in a city, town, or the suburbs, parking is a potential problem that really has no long-term solution.
If you have a front yard and fewer than two driveway parking spaces, get the tape measure out and see if you can make room for an additional parking space on your property.
A professionally built brick-paved parking area, with a few strategically placed large flower planters, can look more attractive than an unkempt front yard, as well as provide your own parking space.
Repair and Redecorate Your Home’s Interior
Growing children, lively pets, and the bumps of daily life take a toll on any home.
Before you grab the paint and rollers, repair any door frames or walls scratched by pets or energetic kids. Sand or fill any dings so the surface is smooth.
Fix any chipped plaster or peeling paint. Retexture or seal the area so it looks fresh and well cared for.
If you plan to sell, choose neutral shades. Real estate agents recommend them because bold or unpopular colors can distract buyers or create the wrong impression.
Clean-up or Upgrade Your Bathroom
If you just want to brighten up the bathroom, paint it a light, neutral color like Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams (to name one of many!).
Get rid of all the mold in the tile grouting, or re-grout the tiles. You don’t want your bathrooms to be off-putting like an old, rundown motel in the middle of nowhere.
You could also consider replacing showerheads and faucets. Something neutral but modern and clean-looking can take your bathroom to the next level.
But if your bathroom has seen better days, why not go the whole hog?
In a normal a typical three-bedroom house, bathrooms are not so large that you have to break the bank to redo one.
Keeping to the present layout means water supply and drain plumbing won’t have to be moved.
A new vanity, mirror, upgraded lighting, paint and rugs may be all you need for a substantial makeover that raises the value of the bathroom immensely.
Replace the old bathroom toilet seat with a new white seat (and keep that lid down during showings).
If the old floor tiles are showing their age, replace them with a pastel shade, and, if it was only half tiled, consider tiling from tub to ceiling around the bathtub.
Add a fixed power shower and a glass half-shower door, which swings and clips to the wall when not in use.
If the bathroom has little natural light, consider new light fittings and a convenience dimmer switch for calming and relaxing bath times.
Upgrade the Kitchen
Much like the bathroom, a kitchen refurb can cost you as little or as much as you like. The cheapest option is to strip out all countertops, cupboard doors, and drawer fronts.
Repaint the kitchen, and add new counters, drawer fronts, and doors to match your new color scheme.
Increasing Home Value One Step at a Time
There are a number of upgrades that will increase the value of your house, and these will be taken into account.
They include a loft bedroom, an en suite bedroom, a cellar conversion, a fully fitted kitchen/kitchen extension, a conservatory, and full home insulation.
So, whether you’re looking to just maintain your home’s value or maximize its potential, a little TLC will go a long way.