People often ask The Real Estate Professionals at Keller Williams The Trembley Group about what simple things can be done to increase a home’s value. Whether they’re looking to sell a house next year or next month, homeowners are always looking for do-it-yourself home improvement can do to add value to their home. It’s essential to be aware of the projects that can provide the best return on investment in the future.

Home improvement costs can add up quickly. But maximizing a home’s value by making improvements, adding curb appeal, and staying competitive with the neighbors is important when selling a home.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2019 annual Cost vs. Value Report, the average resale return for home a home improvement project is 64 percent of a project’s cost. This is if the home is sold within a year of the project’s completion. With increasing home prices and the cost of larger, more expensive projects on the rise, the Keller Williams The Trembley Group Realtors recommend a few do-it-yourself projects before a sale:

Keep It Clean

First impressions are everything when selling a home. Take the time and make an effort to be sure a home’s interior shines from floor to ceiling. Remove personal items and store them neatly away. Wipe counters, baseboards, and all the areas inside and outside of the house. Polish the windows, doors, and mirrors. Deep cleaning and decluttering a home is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to make a home look its best while getting ready to sell.

Add Light

Brighten a home without breaking the bank by opening drapes and blinds and cleaning skylights. Remove anything that may be blocking natural light. Replace old, dated lighting fixtures with an eye-catching chandelier or a modern ceiling fan.

Think “Green” With Your Landscaping

Any yard work and landscaping that improves the curb appeal of a home will benefit long term. While basic maintenance of a yard, such as raking leaves, watering plants, and removing weeds, is key. It’s also important to think “green” when it comes to your landscaping. Choose low-maintenance landscaping, like dense groundcovers and beds of mulch rather than grass. Choose drought-tolerant plants that cut costs and reduce maintenance effort.

Replace Carpet With Wood Floors

There has been a long-term trend among homebuyers away from wall-to-wall carpeting. Today, almost all homebuyers prefer homes with hardwood floors. While the idea of removing carpeting and refinishing wood floors on your own can seem like a daunting task, with the proper tools, refinishing hardwood floors can be a DIY project done on a budget. From prepping and removing carpet to stripping, sanding and cleaning the floor to stain and seal, hardwood flooring can deliver a significant return on investment. Prefinished laminate flooring is also an attractive alternative.

Paint the Interior

A fresh coat of paint can go a long way when getting your home ready to sell. Repainting is one of the most cost-effective home improvements. Newly painted rooms will add value to any home by providing a clean and updated look. Homeowners should stick to neutral colors when choosing paint, as they’ll want to appeal to as broad an audience as possible.

Update Kitchen Appliances

More than any other area, a home’s updated kitchen will yield the highest return on investment when remodeled. Upgrading a kitchen’s appliances like dishwashers, microwaves, and stoves, while a more expensive option, can increase the value of a home. Remodelers should consider stainless steel appliances when remodeling since this is the most popular look today.

Check the Electrical

Don’t overlook a home’s electrical wiring and outlets when thinking of selling. A healthy home electrical system is crucial to passing a home inspection. Check the appliances, the sprinkler system, and the doorbell. Fix any lights or outlets that malfunction. Most of these tasks can be done by a handy homeowner, while some fixes may require a professional.

Refresh Your Bathroom

Outdated and boring bathroom fixtures can ruin a bathroom’s style and feel. Refreshing a bathroom is a quick DIY project sure to add value when selling a home. Upgrade fixtures like knobs and pulls, check for leaky faucets or slow drains, and consider re-grouting the shower or installing a tile backsplash behind the sink. And always keep the bathroom clean. These are easy fixes that add value to a home.

Remove Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings may not make or break a deal, but they tend to date and devalue a house. Homeowners can remove popcorn ceiling with the proper equipment, but if they need to be cautious with older homes since older popcorn ceilings can contain asbestos. It’s best to have a professional take a look before beginning the removal.

The Keller Williams The Trembley Group Professionals encourage their clients to focus on these DIY projects to ensure the most significant impact when it becomes time to sell a home. If you plan to sell a home in a few years, or it’s actively listed today, these DIY home improvements will add value, without making major transformations or expensive repairs or remodels.

Need help? Call Keller Williams The Trembley Group at 843.945.1880 ext. 1 and we’ll help you look for the perfect listing or buyers agent!

At Keller Williams The Trembley Group, we pride ourselves on being the experts at more than just selling real estate. We are local residents, some of us have been here for a lifetime. The rest of us will be here until the end of time. We love living, working, and playing in the diverse backyard of Coastal Carolina, and look forward to helping you live and love your dreams soon too. Please reach out to us by phone or email for personalized service and one-on-one advice. 

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Our agents write often to give you the latest insights on owning a home or property in the Myrtle Beach, SC area.