13 Easy Ways How to Increase Home Value

Updated: October 6, 2023

While you’re living in your home, its value is in the memories created with the ones you love. As soon as you list your home, the meaning of “home value” changes. Once the moving truck pulls away your home becomes an investment – much like a stock. Your number one goal should be to increase home value before you sell and get more money back at the closing table.  

The Best Ways to Increase Home Value  

So just how do you get the best price for your home and draw buyers in? What updates does your home actually need and what work could fall by the wayside? Follow these tips on how to increase home value so that when you go to sell, you know you are getting your money’s worth.  

1. Make Repairs

If you prioritize design above functionality, you will be leaving money on the table. One of the best ways to increase home value is to make any necessary repairs. Leaky faucets, faulty electrical outlets, sagging decks, and broken shingles can all immediately drop your home’s value. Get an inspection before you go to list your home and then start checking those home inspection repairs off your list.  

2. Remove Junk and Clutter from Your Home  

One of the easiest ways to improve home value is to take time to tidy up. Junk and clutter around the home can make your property look dirty, neglected, or smaller than it actually is. All these factors can make your home look less valuable and be a turnoff for buyers. Before putting out that “For Sale” sign, make sure you take the time to declutter your home.   

3. Get Painting  

One easy way to increase home value before selling is to paint the walls a light, neutral color. Loud and saturated colors can be distracting and have buyers turning up their noses. Even worse, chipped or peeling paint can make your whole home look in despair. Both will cost you easy money at the closing table.  

4. Update Your Flooring  

Old, dirty, or mismatched flooring can kill the look of the home. If your home has these issues, one surefire way to improve home value is to update your flooring. Refinishing hardwood floors, upgrading carpet to hardwood flooring, or replacing the carpet before selling can all help increase your home’s value. If you have various different types of flooring bumping into one another, you may also want to consider converting them to one uniform flooring.  

5. Bring Your Exterior to Life 

Backyards are an opportunity for some added living space. If you have the room, consider adding a deck, patio, or outdoor firepit. All of these additions can be seen as a big bonus for buyers. If you already have these areas in place, make sure they look their best. Replace damaged planks or tiles, refinish the deck, and clean up the firepit.  

If you don’t have the space to get crafty with an outdoor living space, you still shouldn’t ignore the exterior. One easy way to increase property value is to clean up your home’s exterior. Power wash your siding, driveway, and walkways for a deep clean that will dramatically boost your home’s appearance. Simple landscaping such as weeding, mulching, trimming bushes, and planting low-maintenance flowers can also transform the look of your property and increase the value of your home before selling.  

6. Enhance Your Homes Lighting  

Another simple way to improve home value is to upgrade your lighting. Lighting updates can brighten your home as well as make it look more modern. Replace outdated or dingy light fixtures. Install dimmers or pendant lighting. Finally, make sure the bulbs are the same color with complementary wattage so your house really glows.  

7. Focus on the Kitchen  

If you want to know how to increase home value and get your house off the market quickly, you need to understand what buyers want. According to our survey, 70% of buyers said they would buy a house if it had a gorgeous kitchen.¹ The kitchen is an essential part of the home, so if it is not in the best shape when you go to sell, offers may stall. Refreshing or remodeling a kitchen before selling can drastically increase home value and grab buyers’ attention. Often even just painting the cabinets, upgrading appliances, and updating hardware can transform a kitchen and make it market-ready.  

8. Maximize Your Storage  

Home storage solutions improve any home’s livability. From kitchen pantries to closet makeovers, entice buyers with thoughtful nooks and crannies throughout your home. If the closets in your home’s bedrooms are on the smaller side, add shelves or built-in storage systems in your basement, attic, or garage to increase the value of your home.  

9. Work on the Windows 

Old windows can have noticeable problems like rotting or discoloration. While buying brand-new windows can be a substantial investment, new windows increase the value of your home. If you’re not due for a full replacement, replace old or torn screens as well as dingy blinds or curtains. You should also repaint the trim and clean the glass before buyers start coming to your home. 

10. Give the Bathrooms A Lift  

A standard bath that is cramped and out of style just won’t do anymore. Contemporary tiles, glass shower doors, modern hardware, and flattering lights will give your bathroom a more luxurious feel. These features also won’t cost as much as a full renovation, but they are one way to increase house value substantially.  

11. Finish Unfinished Areas 

If you have a room in your home that doesn’t serve a specific purpose or function, it’s wasted space that isn’t helping your home’s cause. Finishing an attic or basement may allow you to boost your listing price. When you market these areas as flex spaces, you can also substantially increase your home’s value in the eyes of potential buyers.  

12. Utilize Smart Home Devices  

From security systems to ceiling fans, smart tech is all the rage. You will do your home wonders and garner the attention of buyers with technology-enabled home control systems. Pick easily operable systems that add value to the property. Remote garage features are handy, as are operable motion-detecting lights. These bonus features just might be what push your buyers over the edge and gets you an offer. 

13. Make Low-Maintenance Upgrades  

You don’t always have to spend a lot of money to get a lot back. Simple cosmetic updates and touch-ups can go a long way in helping you increase property value. Swapping out hardware, painting cabinetry, and some deep cleaning are all cost-effective ways to increase home value and appeal to more buyers.  

Need Backup? 

Understanding how to increase home value and actually doing the work are two very separate things. If you are struggling to sort out the details we want to help. At Curbio, we work with homeowners and real estate agents to make pre-sale updates. Get started today with a free estimate of the work.  

Sources: 

1.  Curbio (2022). Preparing to Sell: 2022 Home Improvement Report