Planning to Sell? How to Add Value to Your Home

Most of the time, the moral of the story is that you’ve got to spend money to make money—and selling your home is no exception!

While that’s often true, this guide will also be including some tips for the thrifty homeowner that wants to spend little to nothing on adding home value. Read on, and you’ll see it’s always possible to add value to your home—no matter what your budget is.

This ultimate guide shows you how to add value to your home. But are you looking for the things that’ll hinder your sale price? We’ve got that covered too.

1. How to add value to your home with showstopping upgrades.

We’ve talked about renovations before (see our article on how they can add value to your home here). Now, let’s look at which ones add the most value to your home.

Be prepared to spend some dosh with these suggestions—but, after the sale, you’ll be thanking yourself when you can count how much your hard work has paid off.

Inside

Redesign for open plan living. If you’re looking at renovating, chances are your house was built a while ago. Most modern house designs cater for open plan living. You’ll be amazed at the transformation you can make by knocking out a few walls.
From lino to marble or stone. Who doesn’t love boasting about marble or stone benches? If your kitchen and bathroom benches are looking worse for wear, get some stone benches cut in. They’re a great selling point, and they photograph beautifully.
Create a study nook. While not every home is spacious enough to have a dedicated room for study, many modern houses now include a study nook. It’s usually a well-lit space, large enough for a desk and chair, located close to the action of the house.

If you’re already shifting things around, be sure to consider leaving room for a study nook. Your house will suddenly be more appealing to students, families with teenagers, and those who work from home.

Outside

Install some decking. If you’ve got the space—why not? Installing a deck is a great way to make the property look more sociable and friendly. With the right choice of wood and finishing products, you’ll have the place looking like new. While you’re at it, borrow some outdoor chairs from a friend to make the deck look well-loved.
Upgrade the façade. It’s a huge job, but the end result is well worth it. Consider consulting a professional for this one, but don’t let that stop you from getting a vision board together! You can upgrade brick houses with rendering, and the weatherboard could always use a sprucing-up. Take a look at these exterior makeovers for inspiration.
Invest in your fence line. Fences are often overlooked but are one of the best ways to improve your street appeal! Every house needs a fence, so make yours stand out. Do this with a fresh coat of paint or by replacing the fences entirely. Consider making the switch to Colorbond—it’s currently trending due to its unique and stylish properties!

If you think your home would benefit from these upgrades but are a bit tight on money, there is a solution. Fix Sell Pay will fund your renovation projects and charge you only when your home sells. This way, you can add value to your home and sell for more without paying upfront! For more info, read up on our Fix Sell Pay guide here.

2. How to add value to your home without breaking the bank.

If your budget means that renovating is out of the question, don’t worry—you can still add value to your home!

Inside

Give the place a fresh coat of paint. If you’re living in your home, it might be hard to notice fading doors and walls. Now’s your chance to take a closer look and decide if your home needs a new coat of paint. It’s a bit of effort, but not a very expensive way to brighten the place up.
Update the doorknobs. This one is often forgotten about but can make all the difference. Doorknobs are one of the most used pieces in your house, so they get worn and grubby over time. Choose something new and modern before quickly installing them yourself.
Install modern kitchen appliances. Depending on the quality of appliances you choose, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg. New appliances will always look more modern than your older ones. Plus, you can offer buyers a warranty as a selling point.
Change the light fixtures. Here’s another cheap and easy way to update the place without breaking the bank. Pick out some new light fittings and switch them out for the old ones. You can change it up in each room to make each space feel unique or make them all the same for a more consistent feel.

Also, consider the brightness of the globes. You can always switch them out if they don’t suit the ambience you’re going for.

Outside

Got weatherboards? Paint out here too. Weatherboard homes are renowned as high-maintenance—but you don’t want buyers to remember that! Be sure to give the outside of your home a fresh lick of paint if it’s sporting weatherboards.
Consider your landscaping options. Landscaping can make or break a sale. It’s the first thing potential buyers will see, so make sure it stands out. Install some flowerbeds or planter boxes with some fresh and well-established crowd favourites. Many native Australian plants are low maintenance, which is ideal.

While you’re at it, be sure to take good care of your lawn. Nothing is more welcoming than green, luscious grass. Sustained attention is the key to a healthy lawn—adding some liquid iron and/or fertiliser can really green it up overnight. And you could also hit it with a herbicide to any weeds that might ruin its appeal for buyers.

Buy a new front door. If your current door is looking drab, upgrade with style while working within the existing dimensions. It’s a great and cost-effective way to freshen up the entrance without having to pay to knock out any walls.
Hit the deck. If your home is lucky enough to have decking, be sure to spruce it up so it stands out. Give it the TLC it deserves with a fresh coat and seal.

Click here for more info on cost-effective DIY home styling tips.

3. How to add perceived value to your home.

Once you’ve put in the effort of upgrading, don’t let your property down when you’re showing it off!

Engage your buyer’s senses with:

Lighting. You’ll be amazed at how a bit of lighting can really liven the place up. Before hosting an open house or taking any photos, be sure to utilise your home’s natural lighting as much as possible. Open the blinds, clean the windows, and trim any bushes or plants that could be obstructing the sunlight.

Next, clean your lighting fixtures, so they don’t have any dust or dead insects accumulated. Nothing says ‘buy me’ like a bright and clean space.

Don’t forget interested buyers often scope the place out at night, too. If your house is on the market, be sure to keep it illuminated at night to make it shine—literally.

Staging. If you’re in the market of selling a house, you’ve probably heard about staging more than once. But what does it actually mean, and how can you achieve it to add value to your home?

When staging your house for sale, imagine yourself as an interior designer. Take a critical eye to your existing layouts and furniture. Minimal is best. Don’t be afraid to move things around or even to remove them entirely. Clean everything extensively, so there’s no visible dust or stains on anything—but keep it looking a little lived in. Finally, be sure to make spare rooms look well used, as it’ll help buyers imagine how they’ll use the space themselves.

Photos. First impressions count. Over 90% of home buyers are looking online these days, so photos are likely to be their first experience of your property. Once you’ve figured out how you’re going to light and stage your home, it’s time to get snapping.

Choose angles that make each space look both spacious and homely. Taking photos from a high angle is always a good idea. Higher-resolution images are best, so consider borrowing a DSLR camera if you don’t have one. Don’t over-filter your images to keep them looking natural. Remember, you can always hire a photographer from a local real estate agency for a reasonable cost.

You can read more about photographing your own home here.

Check out our complete guide on home staging here. Then, be sure to check out:

4. Don’t skip these value-adding MUSTS when preparing your home for sale.

There are a few things you’ll need to fix at the bare minimum before selling your home. Wear and tear is one thing, but the following are MUSTS when putting your property on the market:

Structural issues
Rust
Leaks
Weeds
Lifting carpet & lino floors

If your property is lacking in any of these areas, get on top of them pronto! For more details, check out our guide on what to fix before selling your home here.

Remember:

Whether you’ve got cash to splash or you’re on a budget, there are always ways you can add value to your home!
Tidy up meticulously before hosting open inspections.
The buyer’s perception of you adds value to the house, too—dress to impress.
Don’t be slack when taking photos of your property. First impressions count!
Make sure the basics are in order before showing anyone through—even a dripping tap can be a put-off for some buyers.

When selling your home, the rewards match the effort you put in. It’s likely one of your greatest assets, so when it’s time to sell—make sure it shines!

By following these tips, you’ll be sure to know what suits you and your budget best.

Want to get the wheels in motion?

PropertyNow lists your property for you without needing to hire an agent. We save you thousands on the traditional costs of selling a house. Contact our friendly team 7 days a week via SMS, live chat, call back, or give us a call on 1300 664 773.

Want to consider your options first? Check out our Selling Your Own Home article—the ultimate step-by-step guide that’ll get you to SOLD in no time!