How to Improve the Value of Your House

Cleaning the house seems simple but it will net you more money when you sell.

Savvy homesellers prepare their homes before putting them on the market. From cleaning the home to renovating it, there are many ways to increase its value. Even with a small budget a homeowner can make changes that add up to big money at the close of escrow. In fact, some of the least expensive improvements increase value more than major renovations, according to a study published by Homegain.com. Elbow grease and a bit of cash mean more money in your pocket when you sell your home.

Things You'll Need

• Plants
• Cleaning supplies
• Paint
• Painting equipment
• Cabinetry hardware
• Bathroom fixtures
• Boxes
• Lighting

Instructions

1. Give the home curb appeal by cleaning the yard and replacing dead and unattractive plants. An updated and clean landscape can give you a 473 percent return on what you spend, according to Homegain.com's home improvement study. Remove all toys, trash and gardening debris. Pull weeds, rake beds, cut back overgrown landscaping. Replace anything that's dead. When buying new plants, buy big ones, according to experts at Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension. They found that buyers valued homes with small plants lower than those with large plants.

2. Clean and declutter the home. Although this may seem simple, it can net you between $1,500 and $2,000 more than had you not cleaned and decluttered. Remove all personal items, such as trophies, family photos and collections. Box up books and toys and put them in storage. Shampoo your carpets to net an extra $1,000 to $1,500 dollars at the close of escrow.

3. Renovate the bathroom if you can afford it. Bathrooms are important to buyers. If you can't renovate, give it a fresh coat of paint and refinish the cabinets. Add new fixtures and cabinet hardware. Bathroom lighting is important to buyers, so consider updating yours. According to Homegain.com, you will net a 172 percent return on your investment in bathroom renovations.

4. Update the kitchen by painting and adding new cabinetry hardware and renovated lighting. If the budget permits, replace any broken countertop or floor tiles. Updated kitchens add an extra $2,000 to $3,000 to the value of the home.

References

• Homegain.com: Home Sale Maximizer Guide 2010
• Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension; The Effect of Landscape Plants on Perceived Home Value; Alex Niemiera; May 2009
• Clemson University: Why Trees Are Important

Resources

• International Real Estate Digest; Seven Steps to Declutter Your Home; Roselind Hejl; 2006
• CNN Money; Lush Lawn-Higher Home Value; Josh Garskof