Call for free independent agent advice
Your local agents ranked - see who's right for you
Home › Property Value › Adding Value to Your Home – Top 5 Tips [Updated For 2024]
Home improvement shows are a great source of inspiration for adding value to your home. From huge renovations to small finishing touches, they have it all. But it can often be hard to know where to start and which project will bring the most value to your property. We have compiled some top tips and tricks, so you can start adding value to your home today.
Table of Contents
There are many ways you can add value to a home before putting it on the market. The key is to spend money in the right places to achieve the highest return on your investment. It’s easy to spend a lot of money improving your property only to find it hasn’t added the desired value. Generally, improving key areas of your home, like the kitchen and bathroom, is a great way to increase the value of your property. Sprucing up your home’s exterior is also beneficial, as it’s the first thing potential buyers see when they visit your property.
You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on dramatic renovation projects to increase a property’s value. Investing in extras, like ceiling fans, walk-in wardrobes and pantries, are often extremely appealing to potential buyers. Spend a little more and add a double garage or ensuite and you may have them lining up to put offers in for your home.
The key to successful value-adding is obtaining maximum benefit for minimum outlay.
Before investing time and money into a project that may not bring the expected reward, try starting small. Any improvement can make a real difference to the presentation of your property. Here are our top five ways to instantly add value to your home:
Old, faded and cracked paint can make houses look dull, lifeless and often older than they really are. Simply adding a fresh coat is an easy way to brighten up a home and make it look fresh again. This is one of the cheapest and effective ways you can instantly increase the value of your property. Why not take the opportunity to add a feature wall or choose a trendy paint colour or texture that will add a modern touch to your home. Just take care to choose colours that stay current and not overwhelm potential buyers who have more conservative tastes.
Floors are another feature that can have a big effect on the perceived value of your home. Whether floors are outdated, old or damaged, an updated floor covering is not likely to break the bank and is sure to be an instant value-add for potential buyers.
Before replacing old, tired-looking timber floors, try these top tips to help breathe new life into existing quality floors:
Replacing carpet, tiles or laminate flooring is a low-cost way to modernise rooms without opting for a full renovation. You could replace floor coverings with updated colours and styles or you could take the opportunity to install a completely different flooring that is in line with current trends.
Australians often have an affinity for the great outdoors, so investing in your garden can significantly add value to your home. However, unlike other value-add projects, a garden spruce up usually encompasses many projects. Here are some great ways to improve your garden landscape:
If the thought of gardening isn’t something that inspires you, you can hire a professional landscaper to help design and implement your new garden.
The Australian weather lends itself to outdoor living and entertaining, so investing in outdoor areas can dramatically increase the perceived value of your home. As with gardening, outdoor areas can involve many projects and usually require forethought and careful planning. Here are our top tips for revitalising your outdoor areas.
Entertainment areas can be quick and simple or more expensive, extravagant projects, depending on your budget and requirements. However, all outdoor entertainment areas should be designed with the following in mind:
For patios that offer an entire additional living space to the home, you might consider installing attractive lighting, a state-of-the-art kitchen or on-trend style items, like artwork and sculptures. Although more expensive, they are often worth considering for the amount of value they can add to your property by essentially offering an extra room.
Driveways make up an important part of a potential buyer’s first impression of the home. Dirt driveways or those with old, cracked concrete can reduce a property’s value so are a great place to invest some of your time and money. However, this type of value-add project can be a big undertaking, so it’s worth considering your options and trying to add some wow factor in the process.
Pavers come in an assortment of colours and styles and allow you to be creative. Try mixing colours to create unique patterns or contrasting borders. Interesting features along driveway boundaries can add something extra that draws the eye, as can using a mix of materials, like grass and white gravel.
A pool or spa can seem like a luxurious item that will only add value to your home. However, these can be hit or miss with potential buyers. Some people don’t enjoy owning their own pool and prefer to swim at the local gym or swimming pool. Pools and spas both require a lot of upkeep and, for busy people, it can often be too much hassle. Before deciding on a pool, calculate maintenance costs to determine if it will negatively affect any potential added value.
It’s a good idea to install a pool or spa simply because you or your family want one. That way, you’ll get to use it and it may later be helpful it getting a better price for your home.
The kitchen/dining area is essentially the heart of your home, where family and friends gather to socialise and enjoy a good meal. It’s usually the most used space in the house, so spending money here is never a waste. Any improvement to your kitchen, whether big or small, will add value, so there’s bound to be something you can do that’s within budget. Here are some possibilities:
Finally, an important extra tip, knowing how to dress your home for success can make all the difference and need not cost a fortune. Investing in a good, thorough clean is a necessary first step to ensuring your home is sparkling on open house day. Next, determine the optimal placement for furniture and replace items wherever necessary.
Furniture placement should open up the room and make it look as large as possible. Finally, invest in accessories that make your home look fresh, stylish and modern. These don’t have to be expensive; you can often find cheaper versions of expensive, fashionable items. Throws and cushions are great low-cost options that can change the way a room looks and feels.
Anyone looking to sell a home wants to get the best price possible in the market. This means competing with homes that are on the market and impressing potential buyers at an open house. There are many things a seller can do to ensure their listing catches the eye of potential buyers. Here are some pros and cons to renovating before selling:
Homes can benefit from even the lightest touch, so determining your budget and time frame will allow you to evaluate how much you can achieve. At the very least, a thorough clean and a few extras will help your home stand out in photographs and at the open house.
With so many possibilities, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to renovating your home. Your real estate agent should have some great ideas on adding value to your home and is an excellent resource.
If you haven’t yet found a real estate agent, compare your local agents with our handy comparison service and speak to a top local agent today.
What Is The Private Treaty Property Sale Method? – [Pros & Cons]
How To Sell Your House Fast [2024 Guide]
Reach out to one of our knowledgeable team members below.