The Best Home Improvements For Your Home

When it comes to the question of how to get your house ready to sell, deciding which home improvement projects to undertake can feel like being lost on unfamiliar roads without a map. Completing the right home renovation projects can help homeowners get better offers when it's time to sell, but knowing which home renovation projects take priority can be a challenge if you've never sold a house before. In general, there's a hierarchy of home improvement projects. Here's a roadmap to important home renovation projects that can help sellers get better offers and sell more quickly.

Interior Home Improvements

There are a number of home improvements that can be done throughout the property, but homeowners can choose to focus on fixing up the indoors and the outdoors separately to make the renovation process less overwhelming. Consider the following interior home improvements to bring more appeal to your home.

Repair Drywall Cracks and Holes

There is something wonderful about a freshly painted and decorated room. It can be any room, from a tiny guest bedroom to the kitchen; it just feels good. The absolute opposite of that feeling happens when you walk into a room with faded paint and damaged drywall.

But, you can always achieve a lovely home sensation with a little bit of work. And, most drywall issues can be fixed… without replacing it completely.

Do You Have Problem Drywall?

While you can do repairs on a lot of drywall, there is such a thing as problem drywall. If your walls were installed between 2001 and 2009, you might have a “bad batch”. That’s not to say that all walls from this time are troublesome, but it helps to narrow any problems you may have. Check the copper electrical wire or air conditioning coils for blackening; if you spot it, you’ll need professional assistance.

Repairing the Drywall in your Home

If you have cracks or holes in your drywall – and you’ve eliminated the issue of problem drywall – you can do the repairs relatively quickly on your own. As with any DIY task, you’ll need a few supplies and lots of patience.

• Cracks – Smaller cracks can be repaired by applying drywall compound, followed by sanding when the wall is completely dry. Larger cracks follow the same process with the addition of fiberglass tape over the seam while the compound is still wet.
• Small Holes – Fill the hole with painter’s putty and level it out. When this dries, sand the surface, spackle, and once again allow it to dry before another round of sanding.
• Large Holes – You’ll need a patch made of metal or drywall of the same thickness that’s applied before following the process for smaller holes. 

Once you’ve sanded your repairs, it’s time to repaint. But, don’t just paint over your repairs as it will be painfully obvious. Instead, primer the entire wall first… and make sure you have enough paint for a few smooth coats. Next time you walk into the room, you’ll feel that glowing satisfaction that comes from beautiful walls. 

Remodel Your Kitchen

Once any deferred maintenance has been handled and curb appeal improvements have been done, it's time to consider making improvements that add value to a home, like a kitchen remodel. How much does a kitchen remodel increase home value? Many homebuyers focus on the kitchen when evaluating properties, whether they be log homes or any other type of residence. Popular kitchen commodities include room for a table, stone countertops, ample storage space, and both track and overhead lighting. If your kitchen lacks some or most of these qualities, a remodel can help boost your home's property value and help your home sell more quickly.

Renovate Unused Closets

Closets only became an element of American homes around the time Alaska joined the Union. It didn’t take long for developers to realize that it was one of those features that buyers would pay for; closets were built into every room.

But, what are you to do with that space if you don’t need your closets for clothes? These ideas are more than a weekend makeover; they may just change your life.

Create a Clever Work Station

Remove the hanging bar and insert a desk – or any surface that works for writing or typing. Use the upper shelf for storage by dividing supplies between sturdy, decorative boxes. Once you add a coat of paint and a shine a little light onto the space, all you need is a chair and you’re ready to work.

Cozy up with a Lovely Reading Nook

Shallow closets are relatively easy to transform into reading areas that inspire relaxation. You might be able to fit cushioned patio furniture in your space, or you can craft a reading bench. Pillows, a blanket, and plenty of light will complete the space.

An Easy Access Laundry Room

You can transform an unused closet into a laundry room, complete with shelves and hanger storage. If you have a large space, you could even install a fold-down ironing board. This project does take a little extra effort and budget as you’ll need to install pipes and vents. But, it might just make it easier to stay on top of all that laundry.

You’ll probably need to hang onto the closet in the entryway. After all, Alaskan winters require plenty of hats, gloves, scarves and boots. But you don’t have to settle for a basic closet. You might be able to make it more user-friendly by dividing it creatively, so you have room to sit, plus storage for everything you need all year long.

With a little time and inspiration, you can easily transform your home’s interior into an entirely new area. Just imagine what you can do with your space.

Exterior Home Improvements

Your home's exterior plays an important role in the sale of your home. Making exterior improvements can boost your home's curb appeal and draw attention from buyers even before they walk in your front door.

A good first impression can lead to larger offers and a faster sale - here are some common ways sellers can get the attention of prospective buyers.

Repaint or Install New Siding

Repaint or install new siding to give your home's exterior a fresh, clean appearance. This is especially helpful if your home is starting to look a bit run down from the outside. Remember that, on average, siding replacement has an expected ROI of between 70 and 80 percent, so you should be able to recoup a lot of your costs at the time of sale.

When choosing a color for your home's siding, consider the colors of the other homes in your neighborhood. Making your home fit into the broader context can help your block look unified and attractive. When in doubt, choose a neutral color like gray, beige or white.

Landscape and Install New Irrigation

New landscaping attracts buyers when it's time to sell. In fact, new landscaping can do wonders for many properties, delivering more than 100% ROI for some projects.

Hiring a professional landscaper can be a big help, but not all homeowners have the money to invest in a serious landscaping overhaul. Homeowners on a budget can turn to colorful annuals like impatiens and pansies, because they're easy to plant and easy to maintain.

Plant new grass in the bare patches on your lawn, and water the grass regularly to help it grow green and lush. Use mulch to kill the weeds and give your home's flower beds a unified appearance.

In addition to re-doing the grass, DIY drip lines are surprisingly easy to install, and they make for a great, cost-effective, water-saving project that you can accomplish in a weekend. Over time, you'll save water, energy and money. There are several different types of drip irrigation, and different types of timers. Compare options and plan ahead before getting started. Ongoing maintenance and upkeep is needed to keep a drip system in prime operating condition, but that's a small price to pay!

Add an Outdoor Living Area

New decks have an 80% ROI on average and they're relatively cheap, so they're sometimes a good investment for homeowners who are thinking about selling soon. When installing a deck on your home, consider using composite decking because it requires almost no maintenance and can withstand many years of abuse from rain and sun. When you're finished, complete the project by installing landscaping around the perimeter of the deck.

If this project is too big or time consuming, consider creating an outdoor seating area that could be used for a number of purposes.

Install a Deck Addition

The backyard is a popular gathering space for get-togethers, barbecues, and socializing, so it's no wonder that homebuyers love decks! A deck can make backyard socializing that much more comfortable and convenient, so now is the time to consider refurbishing a pre-existing deck or even building a new one. Installing a deck is an inexpensive way to make a home appeal to more buyers. The ROI of installing a deck is as much as 80%.

Beautify the Front Entry

Repaint your front door a bright new color, then add a new keyless lock set to complement the architecture and provide better security. Add stylish numbers, large and distinctive enough to be readily visible from the street. Replace a dated light fixture with one that includes a motion sensor. Hang a seasonal wreath or place pots of bright flowers on the stoop. It's a welcome (and luxurious) message!

Other Improvements

When it comes to the question of how to get your house ready to sell, deciding which home improvement projects to undertake can feel like being lost on unfamiliar roads without a map. Completing the right home renovation projects can help homeowners get better offers when it's time to sell, but knowing which home renovation projects take priority can be a challenge if you've never sold a house before. In general, there's a hierarchy of home improvement projects. Here's a roadmap to important home renovation projects that can help sellers get better offers and sell more quickly.

Deferred Maintenance

Homebuyers like turnkey properties, and problems with the home that arise from deferred maintenance (such as roof repair, HVAC system repair, and window repair) can all negatively impact offers from buyers. Taking care of these problems before your Eagle River house goes on the market is a good way to ensure a move-in ready home for prospective buyers.

If you're not sure what maintenance and upkeep needs to be done before selling, consider having your home looked at by an inspector. Though this costs more money up-front, it will prevent surprises in escrow and help to get your house in order.

Curb Appeal

Curb appeal helps attract homebuyers to your property. There are a variety of small projects that can help improve your home's curb appeal, including cleaning or updating your home's siding, planting colorful landscaping, installing pathways, painting your front door, installing large home numbers on the front of your house, and installing better lighting in the front yard. This is a project best started early – developing the curb appeal on your home before putting it on the market will ensure that it looks its best for the pictures in the real estate listing.

Boost Energy Efficiency

Improving energy efficiency can be accomplished in many different ways. Wondering what to do at home? Windows, appliances, insulation, and thermostats are common ways for homeowners to quickly reduce their utility bills without too much of an initial investment. Buyers are almost always looking for ways to save on their monthly bills after moving in, and pointing out that you've made these improvements recently can go a long way to differentiate yourself from other sellers who have not done the same.

Kitchen Remodel

Once any deferred maintenance has been handled and curb appeal improvements have been done, it's time to consider making improvements that add value to a home, like a kitchen remodel. How much does a kitchen remodel increase home value? Many homebuyers focus on the kitchen when evaluating properties, whether they be log homes or any other type of residence. Popular kitchen commodities include room for a table, stone countertops, ample storage space, and both track and overhead lighting. If your kitchen lacks some or most of these qualities, a remodel can help boost your home's property value and help your home sell more quickly.

Deck Addition

The backyard is a popular gathering space for get-togethers, barbecues, and socializing, so it's no wonder that homebuyers love decks! A deck can make backyard socializing that much more comfortable and convenient, so now is the time to consider refurbishing a pre-existing deck or even building a new one. Installing a deck is an inexpensive way to make a home appeal to more buyers. The ROI of installing a deck is as much as 80%.

Consult With a Real Estate Agent

When choosing which exterior home improvements to make, consider the strengths and weaknesses of your property and focus your efforts on where you can gain the most value. If you're not sure which home improvements can help your home the most, talk to your agent. Your real estate professional can help you make strategic decisions that will speed the sale of your home and boost offers from buyers.