5 home improvements with a great ROI

Independently of your plans to stay in your home for the time being, or put it on the market, making improvements on your property is something you should consider.

As of now, it will make your home more pleasant to live in, and in the future, it will increase its value for potential buyers. There are many improvements that are not too expensive and can make you feel like you are living in a new place!
If it’s money that’s holding you back, there are plenty ways to cut down on expenditure.

Some of them can be done yourself with an online tutorial and a little patience, and some, even if you have to hire them out, will offer a great ROI when time comes to sell.

Kitchen

One of the first parts of a house to start looking dated is often the kitchen. But buying new appliances can cost a fair bit. Still, you can freshen up your kitchen by changing the doors and handles on your cabinets, or looking up second hand appliances online.

One single change in the kitchen, such as updating the worktops, can give it a whole new appeal. Granite worktops are hard and durable, and their classic look should make them stand the passing of time.

Much cheaper than an entire kitchen remodel, you will get a completely different room without breaking the bank.

Walls

Nothing like a fresh coat of paint to make your house look new again. This is an easy one, and you can do it yourself. Yes, even the ceilings, as long as you cover the floor to avoid having to clean up paint stains.

I did it at home and bought a bucket of washable paint. That means after a few years, when the cream color started to look a bit grey again, I just had to buy some big sponges and some special soap, and wash the walls to get back to the lighter shade.

If you are planning on selling your house, pick some neutral colours, or keep the brighter tones to just one wall. Get some inspiration on Pinterest or DIY blogs to see what is in fashion these days. Remember, your potential buyer want to imagine himself living in your house, so it has to be agreeable to a wide variety of people.

Bathroom

Just like the kitchen, your bathroom may be functional, but not very attractive. And again, it is an easy fix. No need to replace the whole bathtub or sink if fitting new modern looking taps will do the job. Retiling the bathroom will probably require a professional, but if it looks at odds with the rest of the house, that is a quick job that will add quite a bit of value to your home.

Nice towel racks, and updated cabinets can also make your bathroom look much nicer.

Get rid of anything that looks worn, no one likes to imagine that other people used the place before. If the house plan is favourable, you can look into converting one of the bathroom into an en suite for the master bedroom, and creating a walk-in closet in between as well. It will give the property an air of luxury, even if the rest of the house is more standard.

An en suite is a sought after feature on the property market.

Parking

With parking spaces renting higher than ever, and street parking becoming increasingly complicated, adding a parking by the side of your home might be an investment to consider.

Look at how much parking spots go for in your area, and compare that to the cost of the works. Sometimes, it can be as simple as putting a roof to cover the car, if winters aren’t too harsh in your area. But ideally, your garage would be connected to your house, so you can unload your groceries directly, or get in your car without getting wet if it rains.

If you are going to keep your house for a few years, you will save on parking, and by locking your car at night instead of leaving it in the street, you might lower your insurance premium.

Curb appeal

One of the first things you see when visiting a house is the garden, and the facade from the street. Planting flowers, trees, keeping the lawn neat and painting your exterior with an appealing colour will make the value of your house go up without spending a lot. Plus, gardening is a cheap and relaxing hobby.

 

Whatever you decide, compare properties around you to see how much value you might add to your house. If it’s ideas you are looking for, then have a look on Pinterest for some inspiration. There are no doubt plenty of pins out there to inspire you !
In a nutshell, if the added value is equal or more than your investment, go for it. If it is less, consider the added benefit of living in a nicer house for the time being, and whether this is worth your time and money.