FIVE WAYS HOMEOWNERS CAN BOOST THE VALUE OF THEIR HOME

When contemplating home upgrades or preparing your home for sale, it helps to identify the renovation projects that not only look good but will boost the value of your home at the same time. Overall, potential buyers are drawn to newer, cleaner, refreshed properties. Here are the five tried and true ways homeowners can boost the value of their home.

Freshen Up the Paint This may seem like a no-brainer, but a fresh coat of paint will always make a home feel updated and renewed. Modern, current paint colors can have a vast effect on a home’s appeal. Whites, greys, light blues, and sage-greens are in-style for 2018 and can give your home an updated feel. Contemporary, neutral paint can also give potential buyers the ability to see themselves living in the home.

Update the Windows Natural light enhances ambiance and updating windows can boost a home’s value. Homes that feature 70’s style round, half-moon, or hexagon shaped windows may cause buyers to contemplate pricey renovations or will turn them off from the home completely. Additionally, if your windows are old, drafty, or fog up due to failing seals, fixing these problems will increase the value. Updating window coverings from heavy drapery to hidden or electronic shades can go a long way in adding value and a contemporary feel to the home. Lastly, adding windows to increase natural light can improve a home’s value.

Renew Kitchens and Bathrooms  When it comes to home renovation and updates the two most important spaces in a home are the kitchen and the master bedroom/bathroom. In the master bedroom, focus on brightening the room and creating a fresh, inviting feel. Clean, modern paint colors and neutral fresh carpet or renewed hardwood floors can make a huge difference. In the master bathroom, potential buyers are trending toward light and bright features such as subway tile, marble, and clean lines over dark woods and granites. In the kitchen, making minor changes such as painting the cabinets in a modern color, updating the tile, or replacing old-fashioned, brass light fixtures and hardware with more current styles and contemporary pieces can increase the value of a home.

Add Smart Technology Features As we move farther into the age of technology, home trends are following suit. Many potential buyers see a lot of value in smart technology features such as electronic window shades, smart thermostats, slim TVs, and more. That being said, one electronic feature that used be popular but has been falling out of trend is pre-wired sound systems. With wireless speaker systems on the rise, buyers are bringing their systems into their new homes or upgrading as needed.

Revive Curb Appeal First impressions can make a big impression. Enhance landscaping, clean up the walkway to the front door, and repair or seal driveway cracks. A fresh coat of paint including window frames and the front door can make an older home feel new again. If paint is not in the budget, power washing the outside of the house, so long as it doesn’t strip the paint, and the front walkway or driveway can also refresh the appearance. Lastly, updating the porch sconces and lighting can make a home look more current and inviting.

Whether you are looking to spend a little or a lot, there are many ways to add value to your home. However, for any major physical changes to the home, its best to hire a designer to help make sure the improvements are truly up-to-date and generic enough to appeal to a wide audience. For recommendations on designers or for more advice on ways to boost the value of your home, reach out to your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties agent as they truly are the experts on homes in our community.

Published in Park City Home Magazine 3/5/18