If you’ve been living in your home for a while, chances are a lot of little things go unnoticed. You may have begun to notice these things, like faded paint, chips in the tile, and the mildew on your home’s siding that has been building up over the years. Looking to spruce it up for resale, these are things even the most budget-conscious homeowner can address. To learn how to increase home value on a budget check out these top two home improvement projects that not only bring a return on your investment and appeal to potential buyers but will also add joy to your life.
1. Paint inside and out
When selling your home, you want the prospective homebuyer to picture themselves living there. That’s not going to happen with your teenager’s black walls or your mother-in-law’s flowery wallpaper. Neither will faded and dirty paint make them feel at home. Painting the interior of your home in a neutral color requires a relatively small investment for what you’ll get in return, which is usually more interested homebuyers and hopefully more competing offers.
Painting the exterior of your home may cost a bit more, especially if you hire a professional, but the increase in curb appeal could sell your home faster. Does it need it? Take a walk outside and look around. Do you see any cracks or peeling? Has the color faded? If the answer is yes, the time to repaint is now.
2. Replace the garage door
While taking that walk outside, look at the garage door. They take a lot of abuse. How did it sound the last time you opened and closed it? Telltale dents from bike wrecks or flying balls go unnoticed after a while. Check the sweep, too. If blowing rains come under the door, chances are critters do, too and the sweep needs replacing. For less than $5,000, on average, you can reap an ROI of almost 95 percent when you replace it. Enhance your home’s character with windows or decorative panels and watch as the neighbors slow down to admire the improvement.