If your house is on the market or you are thinking about selling, you've probably already considered making improvements to your home to increase its value. What you may not know is that some "improvements" can actually hurt the value of your home. Conversely, some improvements are cheap, easy, and can add value to your property. Here are some home improvement ideas to consider and to avoid. Kitchen: The kitchen has always been a focal point of any home. A kitchen's layout, design, and appeal can really make or break your property's sale. - Positive Improvements- Countertops have become the major selling point when it comes to kitchens. Granite is immensely popular and can update any kitchen. However, it can be expensive. For a cheaper alternative, look to countertop tiling such as granite, stone, or marble tiles.
- Negative "Improvements"- Wallpaper in the kitchen was popular in the eighties, but in today's market, it's a major faux pas. Instead, try painting walls with a warm, semi-neutral color to update your kitchen into the millennium.
Bathroom: Bathroom styling has come a long way over the past few decades, has yours? - Positive Improvements- When updating and improving bathrooms, keep it simple, fresh, and inviting. For a simple update try painting the walls, adding new fixtures, and replacing any cracked tiles.
- Negative Improvements- Again, leave the wallpaper at the store. Avoid loud colors, clutter, and elaborate hardware.
Garage: The garage often gets overlooked when it comes to home improvement. However, the garage can be a fantastic selling point if revamped correctly. - Positive Improvements- Sealing up cracks with epoxy and painting the walls and garage door can immediate can give any garage a facelift. Also try adding storage shelves to tidy up the area and improve the overall appearance of your garage.
- Negative Improvements- Converting part of or all of the garage into another type of room. Trying to remodel the garage into an office or some other type of room is expensive and will probably add little value to your home.
Driveways: Essentially, a driveway is the welcome mat to your home. How will your buyers react when they roll up your driveway? - Positive Improvements- The easiest and cheapest way to improve a driveway is to repair cracks and potholes. Check out this link for step by step instructions on how to repair potholes yourself.
- Negative Improvements- There really can be no negative improvements when it comes to driveways. Any improvement steps can drastically improve the overall appearance of your home. Just try to avoid spending too much money, as driveway repairs should be relatively cheap.
(Written by: K. Skowronski) |
