6 Surprising Ways to Increase Your Home's Value | The Listing Team

Buying a home is an investment that should earn a profit after it goes on the market. While you may have big dreams about moving soon, you may not be able to get the house of your dreams if your current residence sells for less than its original price. The good news is that you don’t need to take on stressful renovations that require months to finish. Here are some surprising ways to increase your home’s value to get a significant return on investment (ROI).

1. Keep Your Home Clean

modern home living room — Image via Pexels

You might put off dusting your light fixtures or cleaning your home’s siding because the idea of each project exhausts you. Find your motivation by thinking about how wear and tear ages your home. Lingering dust and dirt diminish quality, so cleaning is actually a smart ROI improvement strategy.

Replacing your air filters as indicated on their packaging improves your air quality and the unit’s functionality. Mopping regularly maintains your floor’s integrity. Simple chores will keep your home a lovely place to live and make it worth more when it hits the market.

2. Add a Smart Lock

People who haven’t used a smart lock before might not think to install one on their front door. It’s an easy project that only takes a few minutes and boosts your home’s value. Buyers pay more for improved safety features, like locks that aren’t susceptible to traditional picks. People bid higher for a house that utilizes the latest technology and controls guest entry with temporary codes. As long as you have a screwdriver, you can add smart locks to every exterior door in a matter of minutes.

3. Replace Your Garage Door

Homeowners rarely think of their garage doors unless they break. They’re a useful household feature that keeps everyone safe indoors, but they may decrease your home’s value even before they break down. They can also become an eyesore that ruins your curb appeal.

Rust could cause the door to stick and prevent it from closing. Leaks often allow outdoor air in and make your HVAC unit turn on more frequently. Upgrading to a newer model could add insulation to keep your home comfortable and introduce technology that keeps people out while the door remains closed. Both features improve your home’s value because they make your property a better place to live.

4. Mow Your Neighbor’s Lawn

Does your neighbor have an overgrown lawn that makes you cringe? Curb appeal is a significant player in determining your home’s value. That includes the surrounding properties. Offer to mow your neighbor’s lawn before an appraisal or any open house tours to get the most significant ROI for your home.

5. Build a Treehouse

If you live in a neighborhood full of families with young kids, buyers with children around the same age will likely consider your home. Their real estate agent will recommend the location as a place with a great school system and plenty of friends for their children, so upgrading your property to include kid-friendly features could provide an ROI.

Build a treehouse in your backyard to make your property the ultimate play space for young children. Depending on your woodworking skills, you could design it yourself or buy plans. Make a simple one or an ornate playset in the trees and people will place higher bids on your home.

6. Recaulk Your Bathroom

The best projects with guaranteed ROIs prevent home deterioration. Recaulking your bathroom does that in only a few minutes. Caulk is the white paste between your shower tiling that keeps water from leaking into your walls and causing mold growth. Refresh your bathrooms by applying fresh caulk to cover stains and make the space look new. Your home will gain an increased life span and become worth more to buyers.

Increase Your Home’s Value

You don’t need to install a pool or a new roof to make a profit on your home’s resale. These are a few surprising ways to increase your home’s value even while on a budget. Pick projects that make it a safer, more comfortable place to live, and people will want to invest more to secure it for their families.