Real Estate Matters
By Elisa Jo Eagan
There are many ways to add value to your home, but expensive and extensive renovations may not always offer the best return on your investment. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors’ most recent Remodeling Impact Survey, it is not always the big-ticket items that pay off when it is time to sell.
This list includes a variety of home improvements that are ideally suited for fall DIY and weekend warrior projects. Each offers the chance to add to your enjoyment of your home today, and add value and market appeal when it comes time to sell in the future. Best of all, these affordable projects offer exceptional return on investment (ROI) potential.
1. Lawn Maintenance and Upgrades
Think about how much of your home’s curb appeal is dependent on the condition of the lawn. While many homeowners spend their weekends on lawn maintenance during the spring and summer, in the fall we tend to focus more on leaf raking and removal.
Be sure to take the time to properly aerate your lawn and prepare it for hibernation. Cover planting beds with fresh straw or mulch, and have irrigation systems drained and prepared for winter.
2. Plant a New Tree
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, fall is an ideal time to plant new trees. Fall planting offers an added growing season after the stress of the hot summer months and encourages optimal root growth. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, healthy, mature trees can add an average of 10 percent to a home’s value, as well as providing insulation and home energy savings. That means that planting a tree this fall could pay dividends for years to come.
3. Upgrade Your Curb Appeal
There are a variety of ways to add curb appeal with simple and affordable upgrades. These can include painting the front door (black is a color with high return on investment ROI), replacing the hardware, street numbers, mailbox, and light fixtures, and painting or power washing the front steps. If you are looking for an even bigger impact, consider having a new garage door installed. It can practically pay for itself in value when it comes time to sell.
4. Install a Fire Pit and Upgrade Your Outdoor Space
Fall is the perfect time to upgrade your outdoor spaces and install a fire pit for those cool autumn evenings. This upgrade is simple to do yourself and it can improve your home’s marketability as part of an overall outdoor refresh. Consider repairing, refinishing, or expanding an existing deck or terrace, adding landscape lighting, or having an irrigation system installed for additional appeal.
5. Install an Elegant Wet Bar
You may remember the giant 1970’s re-room bars, but today’s wet bars are sleek and chic. You probably have space in an existing coat closet or unused nook where you can fit shelving, a small counter and sink, plus an under-counter wine fridge. This provides a lovely accent and helps simplify serving when entertaining at home.
6. Upgrade Your Closet Space
Reimagine or reconfigure your current closets for added appeal and user-friendly convenience. Knock out a wall to turn a step-in closet into a walk-in, or borrow some space in the bathroom to create dual closets. Install an updated organizational system in an existing closet for a custom design and optimal space utilization. Add upgraded lighting and finishes for a high-end look and feel.
7. Refinish or Repaint Cabinetry
If you don’t have the budget for a kitchen overhaul, start with the most prominent visual feature – the cabinets. Just by painting your existing outdated, plain wood cabinets white, gray, a shade of light blue or even a cheerful turquoise, can transform the entire look and feel of your kitchen at a minimum cost.
Check online for how-to and design ideas. Changing your cabinet hardware will also add to the refresh of your kitchen.
8. Repaint the Interior
Repainting the interior can have a significant impact on the way buyers see your home – and the way that you do as well. According to the National Association of Realtors survey, repainting helps homeowners enjoy their space while also offering a simple DIY way to add additional value to your home.
Choose from a neutral palette to make the interior more appealing to eventual buyers. Or, if you do not have the time or the energy to repaint the entire interior, start simple with a fresh coat of paint in the entryway or foyer.
9. Replace Outdated Fixtures and Finishes
If you are looking for a super-simple and inexpensive way to upgrade your home’s interior, changing outdated fixtures and finishes is the way to go. Replace mismatched light switches and outlet covers with new, neutral styles. Replace old-fashioned interior door hardware with a cohesive, contemporary finish throughout. Change out cabinet hardware, update lighting fixtures, and switch out faucets to create a modern look and feel throughout your space.
10. Install Smart Home Upgrades
Smart home upgrades offer the benefit of energy efficiency while you are living in the home, and a “wow” factor when it is time to sell.
There is a lot of technology available to choose from. Start simple with smart door locks and light bulbs, and then invest in a smart home thermostat and security setup. Plan ahead to ensure that all of your smart home devices work well together for a simpler, more integrated, and more enjoyable system.
Are you unsure where to start? Feel free to contact me directly for more info and or to help you prioritize your honey-do list. Reach out to discover your own home’s current value, and what specific upgrades you can do to increase your home’s resale value.
Until next time… Happy fall, happy house hunting and happy home improvements to you!
With hugs, love and warm regards.
For More Real Estate Questions, Information and Advice Contact Elisa Jo Eagan “The Real Estate Godmother” (609)703-0432 and Remember…”There’s No Place Like Owning Your Own Home!”
