DIY Projects to Improve Your Home’s Worth

11.04.2021 | Category: Homebuying

Getting your home ready to sell is no easy feat and while the thought of undertaking home improvement projects before your home goes on the market may seem daunting, simple DIY projects that spruce up your home can increase your home’s worth, adding profits to your pockets. With a little bit of elbow grease and a can-do attitude, you can add real value to your home’s worth.

DIY Projects for Inside Your Home

Give Your Walls a Fresh Coat of Paint

A fresh coast of paint can really liven up your home while hiding scuffs and scratches that might turn off prospective buyers. If you opted for an eye-popping accent wall or eclectic wallpaper, you may want to choose something a little more neutral to help buyers see themselves in your home.

Update Light and Window Fixtures

Outdated light fixtures like fluorescent kitchen lights, light tracks or even chandeliers can quickly make a home seem old-fashioned. Swap out any light fixtures and be sure all bulbs are working with well lit voltage. Any opportunity to help your home feel well lit gives a room the feeling that it’s spacious and inviting.

Polish and Treat Your Flooring

Give your floors a well-loved spa day. If you have laminate, tile or hardwood floors, scrub and polish your floors until they shine. Fix any imperfections you can and steam clean your carpets. This is especially important if you have pets or young kids who are known to destroy floors. Don’t worry about replacing floors if you’re planning to sell, however. Upgrading flooring is one of the first projects a new owner may make to help their new place feel like home.

Deep Clean the Fireplace

Chances are that even if you use your fireplace regularly, you probably don't clean it properly enough. A fireplace is often a centerpiece in a home's living room, so it pays off to make yours as attractive as possible. If you have a brick fireplace filled with soot, use a damp washcloth to wipe it away and then use a fireplace cleaner to remove the rest. If you have a wood mantle, give it a good polish or fresh coat of paint to really help it come to life. 

DIY Projects for Outside Your Home

Make House Numbers More Visible

Your house numbers are often the first impression you give visitors when they view your home and are an opportunity to give your house some personality. If your house numbers are faded or hard to find, it may give off the impression that your house is hard to locate. Bold or unique house numbers can add charm that you can easily do yourself. 

Powerwash the Driveway, Walkway and Patio

Dirt and grime can build up over time, even if you think you’re giving your driveway, walkway and patio a good sweep regularly. A powerwash followed by a hard bristle broom sweep can really help your home shine even before guests walk through the front door. 

Clean the Gutters

Water damage can be a real nightmare for homeowners and water built up in a gutter can cause mold, mildew and leaks in your home. In addition, poorly maintained gutters can send a signal to buyers that the homeowners haven’t maintained their home well.

Avoid These Home Improvement Pitfalls

Avoid New Trends

At first, you may be excited by the thought of updating your home with fun, Pinterest-worthy trends, but the reality is you could be making changes that won’t appeal to all buyers. Avoid anything that might be impractical. The key is to make the home feel like the people buying it have always lived there.

Don’t Take on More Than You Can Handle

The last thing you want to do with a DIY project is make a costly mistake. For example, if you’re not a plumber, don’t start a new bathroom or kitchen remodel just to sell your home. Take on simple projects you know you can get done in a realistic timeline and won’t feel overwhelmed taking on.

Don’t Underestimate the Costs

One of the most common mistakes all homeowners make is underestimating the cost of a project. Research the cost of materials before you start your project and be sure to give yourself some room for error in case you miscalculate.

Home improvements don’t need to be expensive or complicated, and they don’t always have to include contractors. However, if you find yourself sprucing up your home to sell and the projects’ price tags are higher than expected, a cash-out refinance is a popular option for homeowners looking to make major upgrades.

Interested in learning more about your mortgage loan or refinance options? Click here to visit Mutual of Omaha Mortgage's full list of purchase loan offerings and get started today!