The housing market still isn't cooling off after two years of mayhem, and it’s expected to continue to grow through the next year. Although many homes are flying off of the market within a week, you should still consider taking the time to update your property to add more value before you list it.
These are some of the best ways to add value to any home and boost your property's value before you list it for sale.
1. Garage Door Replacement
How old is your garage door? These doors are only supposed to last 10 to 20 years, and once they're outdated, they immediately become a hindrance to your property's value.
The average cost of a garage door replacement is just under $4,000: yet it can add almost $5,000 to your home's value. This is awesome for anyone wanting a quick turnaround on investment and gives you a chance to build value on the exterior.
2. Updating Your Deck
Is there much seating or exterior space for lounging on your property? If not, this is a change you should consider making as soon as possible. An updated deck gives a property more space outside and allows those who are shopping for homes to picture their lives here a little easier.
Make sure to use a heavy-duty deck stain in a neutral color, and make it clear that it's been weatherproofed and can handle anything that's thrown at it. Although adding any deck is good, your home will gain far more value if it's a deck that can be expected to last.
3. Replacing Older Siding
When's the last time the siding was replaced on your property? The average siding only lasts 20 to 40 years, so your home may be due for an update. If you're getting close to the time it would usually be updated; it's a good idea to go ahead and do that sooner rather than later.
Choose a heavy-duty stylish siding, like board and batten siding, and pick a color that's eye-catching but not too strange or bright. Check with your HOA before making any large color choices since they may have rules about what colors and combinations can be on any home's exterior.
4. Updating an Older Roof
How old is your roof? A good roof can be the difference between flooding, poor temperature management, and an ugly exterior: and a house people would want to buy. An older roof can negatively impact the value of your property since people don't want to buy a home and then immediately have to turn around and throw tens of thousands of dollars into it.
Update with a type of roofing that you can expect to last, like slate which lasts over 50 years, and make sure to seek out a company that offers warranties since this is a great selling point for future buyers.
5. Protective Exterior Updates
The exterior of a home is the most important part of it, so make changes to ensure that it can handle anything that’s thrown at it. Over 14% of properties in the US are at risk of flooding within the next 10 years: so create a property that’s able to stay safer than average.
A great choice that many go for is adding landscape drainage systems, which channel water away from your property. Other options are adding a rain garden, which will allow plants to absorb far more water, allowing your soil to stay less drenched in heavy downpours.
6. Adding Stormproof Windows
Looking for window replacement inserts should be one of the first steps you take if you're updating your home for sale. Windows can protect our homes from temperature fluctuations, insect life, moisture, and noise pollution, so it’s vital that you update this before considering any other updates. Although replacing windows can be expensive, it’s worth it for the amount of money you can get back from it.
Updating windows can cost around $20,000 and add far more than that to your property's value. This update will ensure your home sells faster and for more money than it would otherwise.
7. Pressure Washing and Deep Cleaning
When you’re selling your home, you should want to put your property’s best foot forward. Part of doing this is to deep clean it from the inside out.
On the interior, this means cleaning everything from the ceiling fans down to the floorboards and applying a fresh coat of paint to update it. On the exterior, an important step is to pressure wash any brick, siding, or concrete that's on your property. Pressure washing can knock away years of age on these surfaces and leave your home looking brand new despite its age.
Your Home Can Still Gain Value
There’s still time and room for your home to gain value before you sell it. Consider making some of these changes, and you’ll build your home’s price to an even better number.
But if you're looking to sell your home quickly and you don't have the time or financial resources to make the remodeling projects, you can always sell your home as is! Contact us today at (704) 802-1097 and get a fair offer without any hassle.
Ryan Shure is an editor for the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.