With the national lockdown being extended, housebound South Africans are again faced with the dilemma of keeping busy. If you’re one of them, why not read up on house renovation projects that can ultimately increase your home’s value?
We can all agree that the future undoubtedly looks a bit uncertain at the moment. But with that said, uncertainty can also bring with it a sense of opportunity depending on how you choose to look at it. While some of you might have been toying with the idea of selling your home before lockdown began, or were even in the process of doing so, there might be others who are now seriously considering putting up their homes for sale once things settle down and normalise.
Regardless of where you are in the process if you are wanting to sell your home there are many factors to take into account, including what can easily be done to up its current value. Luckily for you, we’ve done some digging and these 5 home improvement projects are some of the best around to give your future selling price a much-needed boost…
GIVE YOUR DÉCOR A GOOD REFRESH
One of the simplest home improvement projects to consider tackling first is breathing new life into your décor. This doesn’t mean you have to do a complete overhaul of what you have at present – it could be as simple as giving the walls a fresh coat of paint or if you’re up for it, opting for upgrading your flooring DIY-style! Laminate flooring, for example, is one of the easiest to self-install at home but be sure to do some prep and planning beforehand to prevent any costly mistakes. If you’re afraid that money might be scarce over the next few months, fear not! You can start refreshing your home décor in small ways, even on a tight budget. Remember, most potential buyers will be attracted to a house that looks and feels modern without much work or fixing up required on their part.
SPRUCE UP THE EXTERIOR
It makes sense that the exterior of your home plays a bigger role than expected when it comes to the value of your home. If you think about it, it is the first thing people encounter when approaching your home and therefore paying some attention to it will potentially help increase your home’s value. For example, replacing an old front door or garage door can dramatically improve your home’s appearance. If you’re looking for something a little less costly or ambitious, some good ol’ fashioned landscaping or gardening could do the trick in making your home more attractive from a potential buyer’s perspective. Also, be sure to consider and include your verge as part of the update when relooking your home’s exterior.
MAKE SMART REPLACEMENTS
Sometimes home improvement can take the form of changing certain features in and around your home. For instance, adding to or improving on energy-saving features in your home increases the appeal and value almost immediately. You can start small by simply switching all your light bulbs to LED’s or adding a timer to your geyser so that it only starts to heat water when needed. If you’re up for more, look at replacing your toilet and shower to those with low-flow features or replace your old appliances with more energy-efficient models. Keep in mind that potential buyers nowadays will often look at how well a home has been set up to save energy and the associated costs.
ADD AN AWNING
If you’re keen on diving headfirst into a relatively simple home improvement project, you might want to consider adding an awning. Not only is an awning a relatively cost-effective way to increase the value of your home, but it also does not require the prior input or expertise of an engineer or builder in order to get the ball rolling. Whether you go for a permanent or retractable awning, either will provide your home with fantastic additional space given the amount of coverage they provide! This is one of its biggest benefits as the additional space can definitely add to the resale value of your house without much fuss, or at the very least, less fuss than a building renovation would.
INCREASE YOUR LIVEABLE SPACE
A final and more serious home improvement project to consider is looking for ways to add more usable living space to that which is currently on offer. The liveable square meterage of a house significantly contributes to its overall value and so the more space you have, the better for your pocket!
Similarly, if your space currently feels blocked off or doesn’t allow a sense of flow, then consider removing a wall if need be. Potential buyers are often on the lookout for open-plan homes so knocking out a wall or two might be an option depending on the structure of your home. That said, do not take on this project if you know your skills aren’t up for it - bear in mind how easy it can be to make mistakes and perhaps leave it to a professional.
Regardless of whether you’re in for a bit of house painting or are keener on adding to your space, most home improvement projects go a long way to making your home easier on the eye. Just be sure to do the required planning and prep beforehand to ensure that no matter what you decide to do, you end up getting the most bang for your buck come sale time.