5 of the Best Ways to Increase Your Home Value

If you’re planning to relocate in the near future and are putting your house on the market, you’re probably already thinking about what you can do to increase your home value. While many people will tell you that adding bedrooms and installing wood flooring are the way to go, we think that a few simple, smart changes can also help to boost value. At Jersey Cape Realty, we know how important it is to get the most bang for your buck – and we’re here to help you do it! Here are some of our favorite ways to improve your home and increase it’s worth.

Tips & Tricks to Increase Your Home Value

1. Paint, Paint, Paint

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve your home is to paint. Fresh paint gives any room a clean, updated that feel that instantly adds value, and since the average gallon of paint costs just $25, you can make this change quickly, easily, and without breaking the bank. Be sure to opt for neutral colors like beige, gray, brown, or blue, as they appeal to most people, but stay away from the bland eggshell color that’s often found in rentals.

2. Increase Visual Square Footage

Most people know that the square footage of your home dramatically affects the value, but visual space also counts! There are plenty of easy ways to make each room in your house feel larger, including utilizing blinds that let light in and adding a large mirror. If it’s in your budget, replace your flooring with tiles larger than the standard 12″ size to increase the appearance of your square footage.

3. On That Note – Declutter!

Nothing makes a space look smaller than a bunch of miscellaneous items scattered about, so be sure to declutter your home before showing it. Get odds and ends off your coffee table and counters using storage containers, or find an attractive shelving unit to store your things. You can even hire a professional organizer for a day and learn how to properly organize various rooms in your home.

4. Update Your Kitchen & Bathrooms

The two rooms that benefit most from even small renovations are the kitchen and bathroom. And it doesn’t have to be a pricey project- simply start out by swapping a few items like an old microwave or sink for shiny new stainless steel models. You can also update old plumbing or lighting fixtures, and change up the hardware on cabinets and drawers. You’d be surprised how much of a difference a few knobs will make!

5. Plant Trees to Cut Energy Costs

Finally, one of the best things you can do for your home (and the environment!) is to plant trees. Placed in the right spot, a fully grown shade tree can cut your cooling costs by as much as 40% in the summer and can help act as a windbreaker in the winter, reducing your heating costs. Mature trees also absorb sound and reduce noise pollution, which is important for people who live near busy roads or highways.

Contact Jersey Cape Realty Today

There you have it! Just by making a few of these small changes, your home will be more attractive to homebuyers and its value will increase in no time. For more information on getting your home ready to sell, be sure to check out our sellers page or give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you!

Photo Credit: gpointstudio | Thinkstock