Making improvements to your home to boost its value doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Below are five ways to make your property more valuable without breaking the bank.
BASIC MAINTENANCE
Do you have a faucet or toilet that runs? Drawers or cupboards that don’t properly open and close? Appliances that don’t work like they should? Upkeep issues like these don’t cost much to fix, but when ignored, they can significantly reduce your home’s value in buyers’ eyes.
PAINT
Fresh coat of paint throughout your home is one of the least expensive, yet most effective things you can do. The result? It’ll make your home seem cleaner and newer, and -provided you choose a neutral shade, as you should when displaying your home for sale -it’ll cover up any colours that might otherwise put buyers off.
LIGHTING
Replace outdated light fixtures with more modern ones, and swap your current bulbs for brighter ones. Consider, too, adding light fixtures where there are none, perhaps to highlight your home’s best features. Flooding your home with light will make it appear larger and feel more inviting.
FLOORING
Soiled, damaged or outdated flooring is a top buyer turn-off. Have carpeting professionally cleaned or replaced altogether. Vinyl flooring, a popular choice in kitchens, is particularly inexpensive. If installing new floors, choose something neutral in colour and subdued in pattern.
KITCHEN AND BATHROOM FACELIFTS
These rooms are often what makes or breaks a home’s appeal, so update them: install modern, new light fixtures, faucet sets and drawer/cupboard hardware; replace damaged or outdated sinks; reface or replace cabinet doors; consider a new tub surround.
Jethro Seymour is a Sales Representative with Royal LePage R.E.S/ Johnston & Daniel Division. Jethro is a regular contributor to the Muddy York Blog. Jethro can be reached at Jethro@SeymourRealEstate.ca or visit his website at www.SeymourRealEstate.ca.
