Things that will increase value of your property

Here are some renovations worth doing in your house before going on the market


Curb appeal
A large percentage of home buyers decide whether or not to look inside a house or take it seriously based on its curb appeal. That first picture they see in the listing has to encourage interest. Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools. Pressure wash dirty siding and dingy decks. Mow the lawn. Get rid of weeds. Plant some flowers. Paint storm windows. All this can be done for a few hunder bucks (including pressure washer rental). If you can budget it install a more attractive front door, maybe something with leaded glass inserts.


Lightning Most of the buyers will come to see your house in the evening. Make sure all lights are on when you leave before showing. Install pot lights in family room, hall, living room and kitchen (budget $80-$100 per light, including installation). Install lights under your kitchen cabinets (up to $200). It’s very inexpensive and easily gives your house contemporary look. To take care of day visitors, wash all windows, trim trees outside to allow as much light in as possible. And still leave lights on for day showings.

Painting 
Fresh paint gives your home clean look. It helps buyers forget that someone else is leaving here and imaging themselves here. Choose tasteful, current, neutral colours. Prefer light colors as it adds light to the room and makes it look bigger. On another had avoid white, it erases any personality of a home. Beige-like colours are your best choice. Unless you’ve done this before, hire a professional. Last thing buyers want to see is smashed paint.

Kitchen remodeling
Typically one of the most expensive improvement projects and for that reason avoided by most buyers. At the same time kitchen is one of the most important parts of a house when it comes to a decision to buy. If you plan carefully this reno can be done on a budget.


Before deciding to replace entire kitchen look and the option of re-facing cabinets. Solid wood doors can be sent for refinish (about 30% of cost of new door). Doors of lower quality can be replaced all together (save money by keeping cabinets).


Countertop can be replaced or refinished as well. Before showings clean all kitchen surfaces and remove everything possible (including microwave). Put a nice plate with fruit and may be some flowers. In the dining area set a table for a romantic dinner with table runner and candles.

 Nowadays you can easily replace all kitchen appliances for under $2000 (ask me where if you think it’s impossible). On average this increases property value by $5000. Not bad, eh! Keep in mind that most of potential buyers will not notice if appliances are the same brand, so mix and match to save a buck

Add a bathroom
This is another expensive project but if most homes in your neighborhood have two, three or more bathrooms, and yours has just one or one-and-a-half, you will definitely increase your property value by adding a bath. It helps if a house has a bathroom on every level. Payback: 80-130%


Bathroom remodeling
When building new bathroom or remodeling old one play it safe and choose white porcelain. Tiles vs vinyl are way more appealing. Because bathrooms are not that big you can find leftover tiles in building stores at a very significant discount. If you are on a budget tile only floor and bath tab area (no walls). You can replace shower head for about $30. Adding other shiny surfaces (like towel hangers and mirrors) also helps create this sparkling clean look. If you have some mold, treat it with bleach (make sure to wear gloves) and ventilate well after that. Final touch – bright coloured crispy clean towels (preferably red) and new soap bar. 

Flooring

Carpets are now thing of the past, more and more people prefer clean look of hardwood.  However you don’t have to spend big backs on real wood. You can find very good quality laminate flooring, which will look just as hardwood and is more durable and less expensive. Some 15mm laminate can be purchased at $2 or even less and installation is much easier than hardwood.

Keep in mind that in condos you need to install soundproof underlayment which is usually more expensive.

Hope these tips help you. Let us know if you have yours!