If you’ve considered updates to your home, you may have wondered, if these updates actually add value to the home? There are a number of factors to consider when you are thinking about DIY home updates.

Most homeowners consider DIY home updates because the expense of hiring a professional outweighs how much the update will actually improve the value of the home. Doing it yourself will take time and energy, but will cost substantially less. However, it’s important to go through the steps carefully and use the right materials, so the end result is what you want.

Choosing the right project is also important. Some DIY home updates will be more valuable than others. When choosing DIY home projects to improve the value of your home, consider the following:

• Start by considering functional problems; lights that don’t work, drawers that don’t open, loose floorboards etc. Fixing these problems will show that your home is well-kept and will eliminate factors that detract from its value.
• Consider aesthetic problems next; scratches, holes, damages, dirt, mold or outdated looks. These fixes will also eliminate factors that detract from your home’s value.
• Balance costs against benefits: how much time, energy, and materials will the project take, and how much of an impact will this really have on home buyers?
• How complex is the project? The more complex a DIY project is, the most likely it won’t go as planned. A badly executed DIY project can take away from your home’s value, so consider these projects carefully.

With these things in mind, you’ll be able to pick out the DIY home updates that will actually add value to your home. Remember that you can add value to your home by removing problems as well as adding benefits. Let’s take a closer look at the DIY home updates that actually add home value.

DIY Home Updates That Actually Add Home Value

Paint
Fresh paint is one of the most common and most valuable DIY updates that will add value to your home. Fresh paint in a neutral color makes your home look clean, new, well-kept and modern. This adds to an overall positive experience as prospective homebuyers tour your home. Fresh paint also eliminates factors that can quickly detract from your home and distract from its most valuable elements. When considering this DIY update, consider where it will make the most impact. Which room or rooms would benefit most from new paint? These rooms will probably have scratches or scuffs, or the current paint color isn’t very appealing.

New Door
A new door is one of the most valuable home updates you can make, yielding about an 80% return on investment. Your front door not only contributes to a buyer’s first impression of your home, but also contributes to a buyer’s feeling of security and safety. If you’re not confident in your ability to install the door yourself, consider working with a professional.

Power Wash Siding
Brand new siding will yield about a 73% return, however you don’t need to completely replace your siding to improve the value of your home. If your siding doesn’t have obvious damages, like cracks or holes, a thorough cleaning can make your home siding look like new. This DIY update will actually add home value because it contributes to the first impression buyer’s get from your home, curb appeal, and your home will look modern and updated. This DIY project is also easy and doesn’t require special experience. You’ll just need to block out an afternoon, rent a power washer, and get started.

Cleaning Shower and Tub
Bathtubs and showers inevitably accumulate mold and mildew. But you don’t need to completely redo your bathroom to update the look of your shower or tub. You can even thoroughly clean your bathroom with items that you probably already have around the house, such as kitchen sponges, rags, used toothbrushes, regular dish soap, white vinegar and baking soda. This lightly abrasive solution is safe to use on your shower or tub, and will break up mold, mildew and stuck-on gunk.

Refinish Countertops
Outdated or damaged countertops will detract from the value of your kitchen faster than just about anything. This DIY home update will add value to your home by making your kitchen look clean and modern. There are several ways to update your kitchen yourself.
Remember to go through these steps carefully and follow all the directions.

New Light Fixtures
Outdated light fixtures can quickly transport your home back in time and detract from the value. Light that is overly harsh or distorts colors can also detract from a good home-viewing experience. Update your fixtures to make them modern and use reflective surfaces to create softness. Use the right type of bulbs as well as the right fixtures and placement to show your home off in the best possible light.

Give yourself plenty of time to make these DIY home updates and you can significantly improve the value of your home. Consider which updates will be most impactful, and consider your time, energy, materials and skills as well. This will ensure that you get the most out of your time and effort when you’re ready to sell.

In a survey released this year, the National Association of Realtors found that 83% of buyers’ agents said that staging helps homebuyers visualize themselves living in the home and influences them enough to make higher offers.

Sellers’ agents report that homes sell faster and for more money. Over half said that staging sells a home faster, and about 22% say offers improve by 5%, while 17% reported improved offers of up to 10%. Two percent say offers increased by over 20 percent.

These are just a few of the advantages to staging your home to sell, but there are other benefits for home sellers.

Staging gives you a deadline. Getting your home ready to sell can seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to list it until it’s complete. Online photos and agent showings should showcase your home at its best – decluttered, freshly painted and staged with new furniture and accessories.

Staging gives you great ideas. You’ll learn a lot about making rooms flow, creating focal points, improve lighting, and how to use color.

Staging helps you decide what to keep or discard. If your furnishings are hand-me-downs, out of date, or not your taste, why take it all to your next home? Staging can help you determine what you love so you’ll have far less stuff to move.

Improved Listing Photographs. Buyers make decisions about whether or not to visit a home based on the photos they see on line. Staging will help the photographer prepare an online presentation that will attract buyers to your home.

Ask your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Tomie Raines Realtor for professional staging advice when preparing to sell your home.

Many homeowners start with basements when they need extra space at home. A basement can make a great playroom for kids, a work-out room, office, or even an extra bedroom. A finished basement can be a very useful space, but if you’re wondering about finishing your basement just for the resale value, there are a few factors to consider first. Determining the value of finished basement spaces means determining their function, type and cost first.

If you are remodeling your basement to increase the resale value of your home, it is important to know that basement space is not appraised in the same way as above-ground space. First, below-grade space is not a part of the gross square footage of a home. All basements, by their nature, are below-grade, including walk-out basements. This means, even if your basement space looks and functions the same as your above-ground space, it won’t be included in the total square footage.

However, a finished basement can still add to your home’s value.  Property appraisers adjust home price based on the “utility” of the finished basement space. Though this space won’t be added to your total square footage, a home with a finished basement will be more valuable than another home without a finished basement, assuming all other features are equal.

What is the Basement’s Function? 

The function of the basement, and how well this function is accomplished, will help to decide the value of the finished basement. The needs of the home will also impact the value of this space. If, for example, a home has only one bathroom, but has an second full bathroom in the basement, this can increase the value substantially. This is also true for extra bedrooms.

For a basement to fulfill its function, it must be habitable. This means there are no problems with flooding, mold, or poisonous gases coming from the ground, such as radon. This also means that the heating, cooling and ventilation systems are in full working order. In some basements, it might be relatively inexpensive to create a habitable area. In other basements, it may be a costly challenge.

What Type of Basement Do You Have?

There are three main types of basements; walk-out, standard, and garden. Which type of basement you have will impact its value. Here is a basic breakdown of the value of basements by type.

• Walk-out: this is the most valuable type of basement. It will be found in homes built on sloping properties, where part of the basement is underground and part is on ground-level. It often includes a sliding glass door for entry and exit, which provides the namesake.
• Standard: A standard basement has no natural light, or very little light coming from small windows just above the ground. This is the most common type of basement, and the least valuable.
• Garden: This type of basement is a mix between the previous two. It has larger windows and more above-ground area than a standard basement, but doesn’t have a walk-out. Most of the basement is still underground, but it will have more natural light than a standard basement, so it is generally more valuable. These homes are advertised as having daylight windows.

MICHIGAN BASEMENTS
You have probably heard about a “Michigan basement.” This is a type of standard basement that is common in homes built prior to 1940 in the greater Lansing area.  Michigan basements usually have concrete blocks, stone, or brick walls, and concrete, stone or dirt floors and they’re usually less than eight feet tall. These types of basements can be finished, but it may be expensive. You should consider the costs carefully before moving forward.

Finished Basement Value vs Expense

Many homeowners look to their basement for extra space because it is easier and more affordable than making an addition. A home addition requires building the space from scratch, while the important structural elements are already present in the basement. This means finishing a basement is around 50 to 60% cheaper than a home addition. If you need extra space in your home, a finished basement may be the most affordable way to do it.

Basements can pose problems that can quickly increase expenses, however. If your basement has problems with flooding, mold, or moisture, as many basements in Michigan do, you will need to take proper precautions first. Installing drainage systems and waterproofing will be imperative to keep the space functional. If this isn’t done properly, your basement area can get ruined by water damage, and cleanup costs will erode the value of the finished basement.

Should You Finish Your Basement?

If you need extra space or you want a particular type of room in your home, you can most likely finish your basement for a fraction of the cost of a new home addition. However, if you are considering finishing your basement solely for improved resale value, it’s a good idea to consult your Berkshire Hathaway Home Service Tomie Raines Realtor to give you a better idea of how your home compares with others in the area, and whether or not a finished basement will be a wise investment.