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Small Projects, Big Results:  Tips for Adding Value to Your Home

The words “home upgrade” are often attended by thoughts of big dollar signs, lots of tools, and hours of sacrificed leisure time. Homeowners are often surprised to find that they can boost the value of their house with little more than some paint, a few turns of a wrench, or an hour or two of power washing. Many of the improvements you can make in an afternoon will add enough appeal to get the attention of a serious buyer and help them envision your home as theirs. Before you rent a backhoe and put up scaffolding, try some low-impact upgrades that almost always deliver results.

A Fresh Coat

It’s amazing how much a little bit of paint can add to a room. Try something a little different by painting just one wall with an exciting and splashy new color. Cool blue, sapphire, purple, silver gray, and earthy brown are some of the hottest new colors for accenting a bedroom or a den. Painting just one wall will make the room more striking by contrast. You’ll save money on paint, and it won’t eat up as much time. You can also dress up an interior door by painting it in rust red.

New Fixtures

Few things detract from the look of a kitchen or bathroom more than drab, well-worn faucet fixtures. There’s a broad range of styles and compositions to choose from these days, and it’s one of the easiest DIY projects you’ll ever undertake. Remember to turn off the water before you begin, and add an aerator to reduce your water bill. Brushed nickel and champagne bronze are two of the more popular selections for many homeowners. Shape is another important consideration, depending on whether you wanted to dress things up with a modern or more classic appearance.

Spruce Up Your Hardscaping

Time and the weather take their toll on your home’s exterior. If you have a decorative walkway in the front yard, rent a good power washer and give those lovely bricks a good cleansing. Same goes for the sidewalk in front of your home, as well as the driveway. Ground-in leaves, sticks, wet grass, and mildew can make your entire yard look old and run-down.

New Kitchen Countertops

If you’re not into repainting kitchen cabinets on your own, try installing a new modern stone slab countertop, but be aware that it may require the help of a professional. Nothing combines a natural look with aesthetic beauty like a granite or stone countertop. The average price to install stone slab countertops in Torrance, California, ranges from $2,800 – $5,000.

Knobs and Pulls

Switching the pulls and door knobs is a simple but often-overlooked way to dress up your home’s interior. Once you find the shape, style, and color scheme that works best with your decor, all that’s left to do is get out your best screwdriver and start replacing. Black metal pull rings can make an attractive alternative to those traditional metal knobs, and contemporary tubular pulls impart a sleek, modern appeal in the kitchen.

If you’re not adept with tools, you can still add significant value to your home with a few simple, user-friendly DIY projects. Even minuscule changes can add a flavor that your home may have been lacking for some time.

Thank you to Bret Engle of  DIYGuys.net, for his input.

Carol Gilles, of the RealEstate Group, has been helping buyers and sellers for over 38 years, including a focus on working home sellers prepare their homes for sale.  Carol can be reached at 310-864-9738 or Carol@CarolGilles.com