6 Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home


Thomas Short
Military VA Loan contributor

There are ways to increase the value of your home so you can get the most money possible when you sell. Some of these are long, sometimes pricey fixes while others can end up saving you money right off the bat.

But most fixes come down to impressing anyone who is looking to buy your home. Having more people interested usually means a quicker sale and a higher price.

Here are some easy ways you can increase the value of your home.

Check your VA refinance eligibility. Start here (Mar 29th, 2024)

6 tips for increasing the value of your home

1. Update your kitchen

Everybody loves a good kitchen, but because of trends and tastes, a kitchen that was built 20 years ago might not meet the standards of today’s home buyer.

A good way to increase the value of your home is by updating your kitchen. Immediate fixes include replacing your countertops with granite or tile and then adding a nice tile backsplash to compliment the new countertops.

These aren’t cheap fixes, but they will noticeably bring new life to your kitchen. And if you aren’t planning on selling in the near future, these are additions that you can enjoy while still getting the extra value when you do end up selling your home.

2. Get new appliances

New appliances are also a good idea since many home sellers will include the appliances with the sale. This won’t increase the value of your home dollar-for-dollar, but it crosses off boxes on the buyer’s list. This can mean a quicker sale, and possibly with more than one party interested. That almost certainly means a higher sale price.

3. Clean up your bathrooms

In terms of adding value, a fresh paint job is an easy and inexpensive way to update your bathrooms. The paint should complement any cabinets or tile work you have.

But the best way to increase the value of your home won’t cost you anything. Simply cleaning your bathrooms and making them look new will impress home buyers. The newer the bathrooms look, the more appeal they have.

4. Light up your place

It’s incredible how much light can affect the way we value things. Interestingly, the more light you have in your home, the more you’ll be able to get when you sell it.

Updating your light fixtures to light up more of the room is an easy way to boost the value of your home. Changing your bulbs to energy-efficient lights is also a good idea since it will save you money now while helping you prove that your energy bills are relatively low.

Replacing your windows with more energy-efficient windows is also a smart move. According to Zillow, adding energy-efficient windows can actually add more value than the windows and installation cost. This doesn’t even include the money you’ll save on heating or air conditioning.

5. Get rid of your stuff

People love homes that have space. By getting rid of some of your extra stuff, you’ll be making your home look larger – and anyone who tours it is going to notice.

Selling old furniture and getting rid of clutter will make your home look larger and more spacious. It’s also less that you’ll have to deal with when you do end up selling your home and moving.

Everything that you decide to get rid of can also be sold, adding some quick cash to your wallet.

While you’re at it, clean, white ceilings also make rooms feel larger. A fresh layer of paint around the house is not a bad idea.

6. Curb appeal

Before anyone walks into your house to consider buying it, they’re going to have to walk inside the house. This means they’ll be driving to your place, parking out front, and looking at the house from the outside.

Curb appeal is a huge turnoff for some home buyers since many people want to buy a home that’s move-in ready. Landscaping and a fresh paint job on the outside of the house are excellent places to start.

One easy trick is to paint your front door a non-typical color, such as red or blue. This makes your home stick out more in the minds of people coming to look at it, and they’ll have an easier time remembering it when they pick a home to put an offer on.

The bottom line

Making some aesthetic improvements to your home can increase its value and help you to sell it for more money.

Check your VA refinance eligibility. Start here (Mar 29th, 2024)