5 Inexpensive Ways to Dramatically Increase Your Home's Value

Increasing the value of your home is a concept you'll hear about repeatedly once you're a homeowner. And while it might be tempting to see a new roof or sparkling kitchen as an "investment" instead of a massive expense, sometimes that kind of budget rebranding just isn't in the cards. But the good news is there are myriad ways to increase your home's value without breaking the bank.

We asked the property experts at Jones Whyte for their top tips for increasing your home's value without spending a fortune, and their tips focus on enhancing your home's overall appearance, it's functionality, and efficiency. The key is for homeowners to adopt the mindset of a potential buyer, explains Nick Hay, a partner at Jones Whyte. “Make improvements that you would look for when buying a house for yourself. By doing this, you can create a welcoming and appealing home that buyers can easily envision as their own.” Read on to learn more.

Clean Up Your Curb Appeal

First impressions are key to a welcoming home. A regular landscaping routine is a low-budget way to make an impact. Start by regularly mowing, edging, and trimming your lawn, managing your weeds well, and tearing out any old, dead, or dying plants. Doing this consistently over time ensures you never have an unmanageable mess and you really know what thrives in your front and backyard.

Hay also recommends installing outdoor lighting or repairing any broken lights you may have. This can improve your house's overall safety, and it also creates a warm and inviting glow.

Small But Significant Swaps

If there are areas of your home that make you fantasize about a costly gut renovation (especially your bathroom or kitchen), think about small upgrades that can make a big impact. “In the bathroom, you can replace old lighting fixtures, re-caulk the tub, or add a new shower curtain and rug,” he says. We also suggest a new front door paint color, a few window flower boxes, and fresh cabinet hardware for a budget-friendly refresh.

Focus on Energy-Efficiency

Longevity has become a major point of interest recently for potential home buyers. Amid climate change unpredictability and financial turmoil, people want to know they're buying a home that will last. And a large part of this has to do with energy efficiency. “If there's room in your budget, consider investing in extra insulation or a more efficient heating system,” says Hay. These types of projects often have a larger up-front cost but can help raise your home's overall value and lower your energy bills at the same time. Plus, many energy-efficient home projects can come with a tax credit to help offset costs.

Smart Storage Solutions

Maximizing the square footage you already have is an easy (and functional) way to boost your home's value without spending a lot of money. Installing shelving in an unused closet, decluttering your crawl space or attic, and making use of the vertical space in your home are all great places to start. There's no shortage of organizing inspiration online to guide you, including our tips from professional home organizers.

Invest in Home Staging

When it comes time to sell your home, take the time to invest in a professional home stager. Just as you trust the expertise of a real estate agent, stagers are tasked with knowing exactly what a potential buyer is looking for in a home's interior, and delivering on it. While the list of home staging tasks is long and varied, you can expect them to clean, re-arrange furniture (and sometimes bring in new pieces), decorate, and re-style your home to put its best foot forward. This helps potential buyers envision themselves in the space and therefore make higher offers after a viewing or open house.