Home Improvement Tips to Increase the Value of Your Home

By Rudy Lira Kusuma, REALTOR®

Buying a home may be a dream, but the initial purchase is only the introduction to that dream. There’s always something about your house that could be a little better, a little closer to perfect. Now, with a little planning, you can bring your home closer to your dream of perfection.
Reasoning Your Redo
Many home improvement projects begin with someone in the household saying, “Wouldn’t it be nice …?” Start by evaluating your needs. Most homeowners consider home improvements for one of these reasons.
” You need to update the out-of-date.
” You need to replace fixtures or appliances.
” You’re selling your home. You want to be sure you’ll get top dollar from the sale of your home, and that may be the rallying cry for some home improvement projects.
” You’re staying put. You thought about moving, but now you realize that improving your present home is a better option.
” Your family has grown and you need more space.
Improving to Move or Improving to Stay
You need to evaluate your plans carefully if you’re improving your home to put it on the market. Cutting corners could hurt rather than help your prospects, but you don’t want to go overboard either. Potential buyers may not want to pay for the extras you have included, such as a hot tub or pool. It’s best to keep changes simple.
Here’s a list of remodeling projects that buyers are likely to find valuable:
” Adding or remodeling a bath
” Improving the kitchen
” Adding a new room
” Landscaping
” Adding a bedroom
” Adding or enclosing a garage
Keep the value of other homes in the area in mind whenever you consider improvements. Your home’s value should be no more than 20% above the average. That means a $10,000 kitchen improvement project might be a better idea than a $10,000 hot tub, especially if no other homes in your area have hot tubs.

Home Maintenance
Unfortunately, some home improvement projects get started because something is broken. A leaky plumbing fixture may be the first step to a major bath remodeling. After all, if the tub has to be replaced, why not do the whole room?
While that’s certainly one reason to remodel, you’ll generally want to avoid basing your home improvement projects on immediate need. Proper maintenance will help to minimize problems.
Hiring Help
Let’s face it, home projects can be expensive. You may be tempted to tackle them yourself as a way to save money. For small projects, that may be a smart move. However, large home improvement projects are better left to the pros. Keep in mind, do-it-yourself jobs generally take more time and you’re responsible for obtaining the necessary permits and inspections.
Hiring people who have experience can save you money and time, too. For example, these professionals can help you get a custom look using stock products, and that can be a significant savings. Getting something done right–the first time–will give you value that lasts for years.
Be House Smart: You’ll be happiest with the outcome of a home improvement project if you plan carefully and do your homework. Armed with the information in this article and a realistic idea of your needs and budget, you’ll find your home getting closer to your dream of perfection.

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