How to Add Value to Your Home (And Sell for Top Dollar)

Learning how to add value to your home means understanding everything from front yard curb appeal to the architectural styles of homes. Thankfully, this guide is here to help you sell your house for top value.

Understanding the Architectural Styles of Homes

Is your house a cute bungalow or rambling colonial? Do its modern lines stand out in your neighborhood, or does its farmhouse aesthetic fit its surroundings? It is important to determine the style of your house so that you can market it as such. Once you have determined its overall look, you should play up to those strengths and help create a cohesive feel. Ideas to add value to your home include:

• Swapping out garage doors windows to mirror the house’s windows
• Adding shutters
• Repainting the entire house or changing the color of the trim and accents
• Updating the entryway by painting the door, adding a trellis, or incorporating planters

A house with a cohesive design will be much more appealing to potential buyers than a house with little to no personality.

Increase Front Yard Curb Appeal

As you consider the exterior of your house, take a step farther back and look at the lawn. There are some things about your house that you cannot change, such as the location or age. However, front yard curb appeal can dramatically impact your property’s perceived value for potential buyers.

Thankfully, landscaping does not have to be expensive. Adding a simple retaining wall or garden path can be done in a single afternoon, and such projects can have an eye-catching impact that will appeal to buyers.

Replace Worn Fixtures and Make Other Minor Repairs

Sometimes, even the tiniest things can reduce your house’s perceived value in the eyes of a buyer. Keep in mind that any repairs that the buyer feels must be made before the deal can close usually come out of the asking price. Before placing your home on the market, do a walk-through with a friend where you each make a list of little things that should be addressed. Ideas include replacing an old mailbox or porch light, repairing sidewalk cracks, and fixing creaky gates.

Add Special Touches

There are many do-it-yourself projects that can instantly add value to your home. Plus, little upgrades and special touches will make your house more attractive and more memorable for potential buyers who visit. Consider expanding a closet space or installing a built-in bookcase or storage shelf. Incorporate exterior lighting in the front yard or garden, or build a stepping stone path to the backyard. These touches can add appeal and help increase your asking price.