8 Tips for Increasing Home Value Before You Sell
By: Hannah Warne
If you’re looking to sell your home in the near future, you may be looking into increasing your home value. And while there are nearly countless ways you can up the listing price, some improvements are more work than others — and may or may not pay off in the long run.
Read on to discover our top recommendations on ways to increase your home value before you put it on the market.
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Repaint the exterior
Curb appeal has a big impact on selling price — and one of the fastest ways to upgrade your exterior is by repainting. Not only does giving your home a crisp, clean look help attract potential buyers as they drive by, but it can help increase what they’re willing to pay too.
While a fresh coat of exterior paint doesn’t come cheap (it can cost upwards of $5,000 in some areas), it can increase your home’s value by up to 5%. If your home is worth more than $100,000, that means it’s worth the time and upfront investment to recoup your money in the long run.
When choosing a color, be sure to pick crowd-pleasing shades that will appeal to a wide range of personal styles. Neutral colors, like white, gray, and beige tend to attract the highest bids from buyers. Our top picks? White Dove by Benjamin Moore, Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams, or Grant Beige by Benjamin Moore.
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.
Redo your siding
In a similar vein as an exterior paint refresh, new siding will help your home look and feel more modern. While replacing vinyl or fiber cement siding is a significant investment (with $16,348 and $19,361 as the national averages), there is an extremely high ROI for this project, too.
Vinyl is popular for its affordability, making it a cost-effective choice if you’re looking to save. Fiber cement, on the other hand, is more expensive but requires less upkeep and maintenance. It can also last for decades, making it a smart long-term investment. If you’re considering listing your home in the next few years, consider redoing your siding now so you can enjoy it for a bit. You can also rest easy knowing you’ll get your money’s worth when you sell your property.
Add outdoor square footage
Adding square footage anywhere in your home is a no-brainer to upping the value. But for many properties, an addition or adding interior square footage is astronomically expensive, if even possible at all due to the home’s layout and infrastructure.
But consider incorporating livable square footage on your exterior, too. Adding an outdoor deck, patio, or entertainment space can help make a home feel more spacious by creating an indoor-outdoor living environment. While the price of patios can range dramatically from about $5 to $40 per square foot depending on many factors, it also increases your home value by anywhere from 8 to 10%.
Prioritize energy efficiency
Energy efficient upgrades throughout your home not only lower utility bills in the long run but also make your home more valuable. While certain upgrades can increase energy efficiency on their own, consider a few different ways to add value. New Energy-efficient windows, a new roof, and added insulation will all help make your home more eco-friendly. These practical improvements also make your home more appealing to buyers and can help your home sell for more, especially in a competitive market.
Other energy-efficient upgrades to consider include upgrading all of your kitchen appliances to those that use less electricity and water, like your fridge, dishwasher, and washer and dryer. A new, more energy-efficient HVAC system (though an expensive investment) is one that will likely save money for the new owners in the long run, too.
Upgrade the kitchen
With an estimated 70-80% ROI, a kitchen renovation is one of the smartest ways you can help up your home value. While a total gut renovation is the most extreme path, there are also small, do-it-yourself changes you can tackle to make your home more appealing to potential buyers.
Matching appliances, new hardware, tile backsplashes, and upgraded flooring will all help your kitchen look and feel more modern — even if you don’t do an entire overhaul that includes cabinets and countertops. And of course, don’t forget a fresh coat of paint on the walls to give everything a clean, fresh look.
Refresh exterior doors
If you’ve already given your exterior a fresh coat of paint or installed new siding, don’t forget to also look at your other exterior details. Installing new doors — like your front door to your garage doors — will help make your new exterior feel cohesive and give your home the best possible curb appeal.
Especially if you chose a neutral color palette for your exterior, consider using a pop of color on your exterior doors for an unexpected finish. Shades like navy, green, or even red will make these accents stand out.
Add smart home tech
Smart home technology isn’t going anywhere. With a global market of $80 billion in 2022 and a projected market of $338 billion by 2030, it’s a smart way for homeowners to invest in their properties. It’s also a nice-to-have for potential buyers that can help increase your home’s value.
There are nearly infinite ways you can incorporate it into your home. Consider adding a smart thermostat (indoor and outdoor) that you can control from anywhere. Smart locks make it easier to keep your home safe and share access with guests. Exterior video cameras and video doorbells also amp up your home security, helping you feel safer (even while away). Flood detection devices and pool sensors can help you prevent large-scale leaks and avoid extensive water damage.
Adding these devices not only offers added peace of mind but can make your home appraise at a higher value than comparable properties without any similar upgrades.
Upgrade your landscaping
Beautiful landscaping makes your home look beautiful — but it isn’t just an aesthetic decision. Redoing your landscaping can increase your home’s resale value up to 20% (or more), making it a smart way to spend your money if you’re soon looking to sell.
But not all landscaping is created equal. Because a lot has to do with personal preference, opt for low-maintenance additions to your yard that won’t be a large burden on the new owners. Plants native to your region will require the least upkeep and will still thrive. Trees, shrubs, and perennial plants will also bloom year after year, requiring less upfront work at the start of every spring.
Get started increasing your home value
It doesn’t take a huge time or investment to increase your home value. With a few strategic projects and some help from the experts, you can amp up your curb appeal and make changes to your home that will help drive demand. Whether you’re looking to do one or two small projects or want to do a more major overhaul, the brick&batten team can help!
From helping you choose a new exterior color palette to finalizing exterior design details, our experts will help you upgrade your exterior to create the home or business exterior of your dreams and get the most for your money. Start your project today!
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