12 Great DIY Projects to Boost Your Home
If you’re thinking about selling your home, you’ve likely done some research to determine your property’s current value. If it’s not as high as you thought, don’t worry. There are plenty of DIY projects you can do to boost your home’s return on investment and increase the overall property value. By incorporating these simple changes, you’ll create a home that ranks highly in the current buyer’s market without breaking the bank.
- Upgrade Lighting to LED
Lighting is one of the first things that people will notice when they step into your home. If you don’t have great natural lighting options, then at least upgrade your current bulbs to LED. LED lights last over 25% longer and use 75% less energy than incandescent lighting. By investing in this switch, you’ll not only increase your home’s value by up to 3%, you’ll save money in the process.
- Consider Smart Home Technology
This is another great DIY project regardless of if you’re planning to sell your home or continue living in it for a while. With smart technology growing in popularity amongst homeowners, it provides a great opportunity to boost your home’s property value and return on investment. By installing thermostats that can be controlled by your smartphone, lights that can be turned on or off with a push of a button from miles away, or a security system that adds video verification, you’ll not only save money on your monthly expenses, you’ll create a safer home that’s appealing for families with or without children.
- Increase Home Storage
One of the main things that people look at during a walkthrough is home storage. They’ll open all of the doors and cabinets in a home to get an accurate idea of how much storage there is. For some people, lack of storage is a deal breaker. Go through your house and see where you can add or upgrade your storage. Consider adding more cupboards or shelving and upgrade closet space using customized organizational units. Wherever storage seems like a practical option, add it. There are plenty of ways you can add DIY storage without breaking the bank.
- Repaint Your Home
A fresh coat of paint does wonders for every room in your house. Spend some time going through your home, room by room, and updating your paint job. Try choosing a neutral color that will appeal to all buyers. If you have relatively clean walls and are already living with neutral colors, match the paint and at least make some touch-ups. Many people don’t realize how many scuffs and stains are on their walls until they get up close and personal. By simply adding a fresh coat of paint, you can increase your property value by up to 2%.
If you have popcorn ceilings, it’s time to remove them. Just make sure that you take precaution for asbestos if you’re doing it yourself.
- Upgrade Kitchen Cabinets
If your kitchen cabinets are both small and unsightly, considering investing in an upgrade. Kitchen cabinets can be a great DIY project when you’re going to use your existing ones as a base. It’s amazing what simply sanding then staining or painting will do. By upgrading your kitchen cabinets, you’ll transform your kitchen without expensive renovations or new appliances. Just keep in mind that if your appliances are extremely outdated, it might be worth it to upgrade them. Modern appliances can help increase the overall value of your home and provide savings on energy bills.
- Boost Your Curb Appeal
By increasing your home’s curb appeal, you can significantly improve your property value and appeal to interested buyers. Some great ways to increase your curb appeal with DIY projects are by replacing your house numbers, upgrading your mailbox, repainting your front door, and adding modern lighting. When you create an impressive entryway, you’ll give people a great first impression of your home.
- Pay Attention to Your Landscaping
Since landscaping can be seen from outside, it’s a great place to start with your DIY projects. If your home is overgrown or completely barren, interested buyers will pull up, take one look at it, and leave. By strategically upgrading your landscaping, you’ll boost your home’s return on investment substantially. You’ll also greatly improve the aesthetics of your home and boost the curb appeal. Try planting seasonal flowers, adding new shrubs or greenery, making sure that your lawn is in good condition with no bald spots, and trimming down trees or overgrown bush. If you add anything new, just make sure that you continue to maintain it over time. Landscaping can get unruly quick, but it’s well worth the effort.
- Focus on Your Backyard
While improving your curb appeal is a great way to give people a strong first impression, your backyard needs some attention too. By creating an inviting space, you’ll appeal to more buyers than you would with an empty yard. Some ways to create the ideal backyard include building a deck or a patio, installing a permanent outdoor fire pit, and adding nice landscaping or a garden. Take the time to determine whether a patio or deck will compliment your home better. Wooden decks can result in a 75% return on investment while backyard patios tend to result in about 70% return on investment. Whichever addition you choose, you’ll also increase your home’s property value. If you live in an area with good weather, consider adding an outdoor kitchen. While it’s not on many people’s non-negotiable lists, it’s a unique addition that can seriously increase buyer interest.
- Deep Clean Your Carpets
A dirty carpet will significantly lower your home’s property value. The fibers hide dirt, allergens, pet dander, and even dead skin. By taking a weekend to deep clean your carpet, you can significantly increase your home’s value and the number of offers on your home. While cleaning your carpets may not result in a make or break decision from homebuyers, they tend to equate it with someone who takes good care of their home. If your carpets are beyond saving with a simple clean, consider replacing them. By cleaning or replacing outdated or dirty carpet, you can increase your ROI by over 150%. When you do this project yourself, you’ll save even more.
- Replace Your Garage Door
Many people don’t give their garage doors a second thought. If it does the job and doesn’t look like it’s falling apart, why make any changes? However, replacing your garage door with something that compliments your home’s aesthetics will give you almost 100% of your ROI. As an added benefit, your garage door will greatly improve your overall curb appeal and generate more attention to prospective buyers.
- Declutter Before Selling
If you’re putting your home on the market, you’re going to have showings—either virtual or in-person. During these showings, people like to try and imagine what their lives will be like if they move in. To help them paint an appealing picture, it’s important to remove any clutter from your home. By decluttering before listing your home, you’ll create the illusion of more space and an organized home. During this process, don’t forget to remove any family photos and replace them with aesthetically pleasing art. De-personalizing your home makes it easier for prospective buyers to picture themselves there.
- Neutralize Odors
One simple way to boost your home’s appeal is to neutralize odors. While it might seem like common sense, there are plenty of homes that give off a musty smell to newcomers. Don’t let last week’s dinner lower an offer. Instead, neutralize your home using citrus scents to give off a clean, yet non-chemical smell. When put to the test, citrus has been shown to boost buyers’ perceived value of a home by $100,000.
Whether you take the time to complete one of these DIY projects or all of them, you’re going to notice a huge difference in your home’s overall look and feel. Even small changes can transform your home and significantly improve your property value. If you have any questions about your current value, market performance, or the buying/selling process as a whole, make sure that you find a reputable real estate agent like the ones at First Star Realty.
All of our agents are honest and always work with integrity as a core value. We put our client’s interests first and can help you determine which projects will give you the biggest impact. First Star Realty is committed to providing five-star realtor services to Northwest Arkansas and work with all of our clients throughout the entire buying or selling process. Our clients always come first, which is why we only measure achievements through client satisfaction. If you’re ready to buy or sell a home, contact us today. Our team of highly seasoned real estate professionals is dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service to all of our clients. Call us today at 479-267-1600 or fill out a contact form on our website.
