4 Projects To Increase Your Home's Value

My sunny kitchen remodel included all new emerald green cabinets from Cabinet Concepts By Design, and I absolutely love it.

Let’s talk about home improvement projects. As seasoned DIYers and home renovators, my husband and I have tackled many to-do lists. We’ve refinished kitchens, laid tile and even rebuilt staircases. It’s a ton of fun—and let’s be honest—a ton of work. But when I’m helping a client sell their home, even I have to admit that not all home improvement projects are worth the expense.

To help potential buyers out there narrow down the projects with the best ROI, I’ve broken down the big ones into two categories: 1) the projects that will increase the value of your home and 2) the projects that increase the sell-ability of your home. There is definitely a difference, but both are often worth your time. So let’s get started!

Improving Your Home’s Sell-ability

1. Get a new roof
There are so many ways to increase your home’s sell-ability, and one of the best ways to do that is to make sure your home has a new roof or newer roof. Buyers right now want homes with new or newer roofs and updated HVAC systems because those repairs are expensive. And while a new roof won’t increase your home’s market value, it will make it much more desirable in the eyes of a potential buyer.

2. Embrace LED
Lighting is huge when selling your home. Having good lighting makes a big difference in the first impression your home makes on a buyer. I recommend going through your home and replacing all bulbs with LED. You want a brighter whiter light that makes your home feel welcoming and modern.

3. Invest in Landscaping
You don’t have to spend a ton and do a major overhaul on your landscaping, but freshen up your mulch and plant some new greenery and shrubs around your home’s entryway to improve its curb appeal. You’d be surprised how many people fall in love with a home within the first few minutes of pulling up to it.

4. Update Your Bathroom
If you can’t update your tile and layout, that’s okay. Even just updating the vanity and lighting can really improve the look of your home. Don’t go with something to flashy and modern. Stick with on-trend updates that have a slightly timeless style, and make sure your wall color is something neutral.

Improving Your Home’s Value

1. Update Your Kitchen Cabinets
You’ve likely already heard this, but there are two rooms that help increase a home’s value: bathrooms and kitchens. Any time you can update a kitchen, do it! Start with the cabinets. If you can’t replace your cabinets, even giving them a new coat of paint is worth the time. BUT I have a tip. Do not DIY your kitchen cabinets unless you have tons of time and are a true perfectionist. It takes some serious DIY skill to paint your cabinets well. I love a good DIY project, but this is one that I will hire out to a professional every single time.

2. Treat Yo’self to New Countertops
Quality countertops are one of those home improvement projects that have a great ROI. Good countertops increase your home’s value, so compare prices and find a style you like. Quartz is super-popular right now. It’s affordable, is modern in appearance and comes in bright whites, which granite does not. The only material I’d shy away from is marble. Yes, it’s beautiful, but it’s also crazy porous and stains too easily for a kitchen.

3. Get New Appliances
Shiny, new appliances will increase your home’s value. Just make sure they match in style. They don’t all need to be the same brand, but if your fridge is black, make the dishwasher black as well. If the stove is stainless steel, make the rest of the appliances match.

4. Upgrade Your Flooring
Bad flooring can really hurt your home’s value, so if your carpets are faded and outdated, replace them or at least have them cleaned. Likewise, talk with a subcontractor about unifying your home’s flooring. So many homes have hardwood in the dining room, tile in the kitchen and carpet in the bedrooms. That’s totally fine, but buyers today tend to want one kind flooring throughout the home, and most often they want hardwood floors.

There you have it! Four tips and projects that will increase your home’s value and make it easier to sell when you’re ready to list it. Just remember, if you’re hoping to work with a subcontractor on any of these projects, give yourself plenty of time to get on their list. With the 417-land housing market as strong as it is, many contractors are booked our weeks ahead. So plan accordingly!