Cheap thangs i can do to make my house worth more?
Question:my grandpa passed away and i bought the house off my uncles every thang is new within the last 5 years what can i do to make it worth more to the yard and to the house. if i build a shed would it make the house value go up more then what it will cost to build the shed
Answers:
There are many things one can do to increase the value of their home. My idea of cheap my be different from yours, however, my list is basically a progressive list, cross one thing off and then do the next one. I will say that in order to get the most return, you have to spend the money. And there are factors, such as neighborhood, other homes, etc that will determine the value of your home. You dont want a 500,000K house on a street full of 220,000K homes because the house simply wouldnt sell.
The first thing you should do, is to hire a certified home inspector and a realtor to evaluate and appraise your home. The home inspector will tell you about all of the structural and physical things so that you can keep the home in tip top shape. Even if you aren't selling the home, the home inspector will tell you if something needs to be fixed and you will have the opportunity to do it on your own terms. The real estate appraisal will give you the precise information so that you can make informed decisions on what to upgrade and add to the home.
Paint
Painting is probably the best thing one can do to add value to the home. However, I recommend that you hire a professional so that the painting is done right. When you want to add value, you want something done correctly, thus, hire professionals. I suggest a neutral color for the rooms. I personally hate anything that resembles white (including off white) and in reality, it doesnt nothing as far as value is concerned. Use more warm colors, or even light greys. Khaki colored walls seem work the best. My basic point is that neutral does not mean white, white is bland and boring and it will be harder for potential buyers to envision living in the home. Also, Im going to include moldings in this category. Crown Moldings add tremendous value. I would make sure I had crown moldings. And, if you have popcorn ceilings, get it removed when the house is painted. Depending on the size of your home, I think both of these things could be done for $1000.00 and if you are savvy, well under that.
Fixtures, Doors, Windows
Another quick and inexpensive way to add value is buy something as simple as a brand new front door. The door might be $250.00 at Lowe's or Home Depot but it could very well add $750.00 or more to your home's value.
Change all of the light fixtures in the home so that they are up to date and match. Also, adding track or recessed lights can add lots of value.
One of the absolute best things to do is to purchase double pane windows. Not only are they energy efficient, but they are easy to clean and simply look amazing! You dont even have to purchase all of the windows at the same time. Start with the front of the home (curb appeal) and then progress to the right side, the left side, and finally the rear. Or even purchase two windows a month until you get them all modernizes.
Curb Appeal
No matter how immaculate the inside of the home is, if the front lawn looks like a desert, it decreases the value. Resod the lawn. Sod can add upwards of $5000.00 to the value of a home (not always, but it does help and everyone loooves a green yard). Paint the fence, or if you dont have one, get one. And if it's chain link, 86 it immediately. Is the siding dirty? Have is presure washed. Install new numbers on your home. Building a brick surround for the mailbox. I could go on and on. Your landscaping doesnt have to be expensive and extensive, it just has to look fresh. Simplicity can go a long way.
Materials in the home
Old carpet, linoleum, cheap tile in the home? Are there hardwoods under the carpet? If so, have them cleaned and resurfaced. A resurfaced hardwood floor can add thousands of dollars.
The Big Ticket Items
Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home and in order to get the greatest return of your money, spend some money on the kitchen. How old are the kitchen cabinets? You dont have to spend thousands of dollars to get an excellent kitchen. You could purchase unfinished stock cabinetry and have is stained or painted for a fraction of the cost. Also, shop around at places other the Home Depot or Lowe's, you will find that you could very well afford custom or semicustom cabinetry.
If the cabinetry is in great shape, change the fixtures. Pewter, nickel, and stainless steel are timeless and modern at the same time. Wal-Mart actually sells cabinet fixtures. It cost me 70 bucks to get 17 brand new fixtures there.
Invest in a more modern countertop and sink. My two personal recommendations are Silestone and Corian. And get stainless steel undermount countertop.
Keeping with the stainless theme, purchase new appliances. Even if you have to do it one at a time, do it. Stainless steel is timeless and it will give you more bang for your buck. Actually, just purchasing stainless appliances without replacing or resurfacing the cabinetry could modernize and add value to the kitchen. And make sure all of the appliances are from the same manufacturer and from the same product line. They dont have to be high end appliances.
Bathrooms
Modernizing a bath will actually give you more return than completely overhauling the kitchen in some cases. Install new tile on the floor (use larger tiles). Travertine is really timeless, but everyone cannot afford it. Instead, purchase a tumbled tile or intall laminate wood.
Wanna know the best thing? Clean the home until it cant be cleaned anymore. A dirty home will make buyers lower their own personal evaluation of the home. Get rid of clutter. Keep everything neat and streamlined, yet lived in.
Paint the rooms a neutral color, eggshell, off white. Giving it a fresh coat of paint can make it more appealing when you view the house. Add mulch around the flower beds, brightening them up, and plant annual flowers that are available in your area this time of year will also enhance the surrounding home. I would not build a shed. Anything in excess that isn't attractive will detract from the home. You want plain and simple, nothing cluttered. Another hint might be to change the faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms to give it a more modern look. Good luck!
gazebo patio maybe a fish pound or spa both ?screened in patio island in kitchen fans with remotes nice gated entranced TV built into wall in den whole house air filter soft water treatment panels installed on roof to save on electricity duel windows brick or rock added to front of house wireless routers two years of paid yard maintenance you can buy shed ready made find a older contractor that loves to work on projects like yours tell him what you are trying to do ask for his ideas check out his references
Kindly ensure the safety of the house by having higher boundary walls. Plan your garden such that it obscure trespassers , as well as give a soothing ambience to the interiors. Extend the front porch if possible to be used as an extra shed or stress on making a temperory shed of corrugated sheet over iron verticals. This shall not burn your pockets or time and also enhance the quality of your place. Also check the chajjas of your place to avoid damage to walls by rain water dripping.
So happy renovating...
clean it and give it a lick of paint. Works wonders.
I love southerners, they make me feel so superior.
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