Mistakes That Lower Your Home’s Value

Whether you are looking to sell your home or just want to increase its value, there are probably some quick fixes that can do the trick. Often, people think the only way to add value to their home is through big projects, such as updating a kitchen or bathroom, but there are many smaller things that could positively impact your offers. These projects often take little time or money and no specialized skills.

Prepare for different tastes

You may love that bold accent wall or unique color scheme, but potential buyers may not feel the same way. More neutral design choices tend to appeal to buyers because they let people focus on the home’s other features and picture themselves living there. If you have an unusual paint or wallpaper choice, consider covering it up before putting your house on the market. Try to create a home that is going to appeal to the widest variety of people. You may even want to remove particularly unusual temporary items, such as artwork or furniture, before showing your house to buyers.

Don’t forget your flooring

It can be easy to get accustomed to walking over old carpet or worn floors, but potential buyers will notice right away. Floors are a significant factor buyers look at, so it’s a good idea to invest in high-quality, popular choices. Hard flooring tends to be the best choice to increase value, but make sure you choose a quality option. Cheap laminate or poorly installed flooring is not appealing to buyers. Suppose you have worn or otherwise damaged hardwood flooring, considering hiring an expert to restore it rather than replacing it or covering it up. Hardwood flooring tends to increase the value of a house.

Keep up with the neglected exterior

Rent a power washer if you don’t own one — they are relatively inexpensive. Power wash the exterior of your home, as well as your decks, porches, and driveways. You will be surprised at the amount of grime that builds up on these areas without you noticing. Once you start, you will be amazed at how fresh everything looks, and it might even highlight some spots that could use additional sprucing up.

Don’t do too much DIY

There’s nothing wrong with a bit of do-it-yourself work or having friends help out with small projects, but make sure you stick to tasks you can handle. For bigger or more complex projects, hiring a qualified professional can make a big difference. Potential buyers will notice shoddy work or home improvement mistakes, so it’s best to invest in good labor for major renovations or serious fixes.

Worn outlet and switch plate covers

High-touch items, like switch plates, often look dingy even when washed. Replacing builder-grade switch plates and outlet covers with nicer versions can quickly refresh the look of your rooms. You can even find covers that match your wall color and have no visible screws. This is a quick and inexpensive project that can really step up the apparent worth of your house.

Don’t knock out storage

If you tend to be more of a minimalist, it may be tempting to knock out that closet to expand a room. However, storage spaces are highly appealing to most home buyers. Keeping your closets and other storage areas can improve your home’s marketability and make it easier to sell. If you’re doing a more major remodel, make sure to account for closets, as a general rule, the more storage space, the better.

Give walls that need attention

A fresh coat of paint will make any home look more polished and feel cleaner. A common mistake many people make before selling their home is leaving bold wall colors. No matter how good you think it looks, a fresh coat of light, neutral paint will make the home easier to sell. The chances of buyers wanting to keep that bold color are low, and all they will see is the challenge of covering the paint with a lighter color.

Do the deep cleaning

It is easy to become blind to areas of the home that aren’t clean. Bathroom exhaust fans, baseboards, and window casings are just a few of the spots that may get passed over during routine tidying. Check ceilings for cobwebs and clean behind all of your appliances. Occasional deep cleaning sessions will also help you notice any small problems, such as peeling caulk or dampness under the kitchen sink, before they create bigger — read, more expensive — issues.

Storage issues detract sellers

Not having enough storage is a common mistake in many homes. Existing storage may be co-opted for a larger bathroom or to open up a hallway. These changes worked for you and your family, but they can make resale a challenge and reduce the value of your home. There is an expectation that each bedroom will have a closet, there will be available storage in the laundry area, and perhaps even a pantry. If you have converted any of these spaces for use in another way, hunt down options for adding back storage options. Built-in benches, drawers, and other additions are easy to assemble and can replace lost storage.

Update poor lighting

One mistake many homeowners make is learning to live with poor lighting. Many homes lack an overhead fixture, which makes it challenging to have ample lighting when it is dark or overcast. Having an electrician wire the room for an overhead light is an inexpensive way to boost your home’s appeal. If the lighting in your bathroom is limited to a harsh overhead choice, adding sconces on either side of the mirror makes the room more appealing.

Clean weather-worn exterior doors and frames

Sliding doors that stick when opened and closed, and peeling paint around the base of the door frame, give the appearance of a home that isn’t well-maintained. Clean and lubricate sliding doors to get them moving smoothly. For exterior frames, poke around with a screwdriver to look for any soft spots in the wood. Replace the whole frame if necessary. If not, a fresh coat of paint will make it look as good as new.

Maybe rethinking putting in a pool

Many people believe that swimming pools and other big-ticket items will increase their home’s value, but the opposite is usually true. Many buyers will be put off by the idea of increased insurance rates and the time and expense of maintaining a pool. This can result in your home’s value being lowered in many markets. Even for more popular items, such as a hot tub, the cost of the renovation is unlikely to increase the value of your home.

Update dropped ceilings

Dropped ceilings may cover a problem or be a design decision. Unfortunately, a home with dropped ceilings automatically looks dated. Pop a few tiles out and check the condition of the original ceiling. If it looks decent, removing the rest of the tiles and giving the ceiling a fresh coat of paint can make the room feel and look more spacious.

Reclaim the garage

Converting the garage into a low-effort playspace is a common remodel in many homes. If that works for your family, great. The location is often ideal, and it provides an informal area for the family to hang out, but the lack of a covered parking space reduces the value of your home. Most buyers would prefer to have a place to park their car rather than an extra room that they may or may not use. If the conversion was relatively low-tech, and the garage door wasn’t totally closed off, returning it to its original condition will add value.

Improve circulation

Overzealous weatherproofing and a lack of exhaust fans can create an uncomfortably airtight home. Sealing drafts prior cold weather is a smart idea, but before being too aggressive with the caulk gun, make sure air is still able to circulate. Heating sources such as wood-burning stoves can also hurt air quality. Make sure your home is not only energy-efficient but also has healthy air by using a HEPA filter in your heating unit and having properly-sized exhaust fans in all bathrooms.