DIY Home Improvements to Increase Your Home's Value

When selling your home a few simple things can be done to increase your house worth without breaking the bank. Your real estate agent is an invaluable resource beyond estimating house values based on comparable homes. They have seen thousands of home walk throughs and know what gives pause to potential buyers and, yes, it is usually the little things.

First, do a heavy duty house cleaning and remove clutter, including pictures and excess furniture. When selling your home, make the shift from what you love about the space to what increases the house worth, which may be removing your favorite lounge chair. Then walk around your home with your agent and make a running list of DIY repairs for you to take care of before the house is even listed. Don’t forget to look at the ceilings and the floors, a key factor in house values.

Painting, usually to cover ceiling discolorations and touching up trim, is a must. Check all doors to make sure they close securely, and if not get a belt sander to shave the top of the door, and don’t forget to check sliding closet doors to make sure they are on the tracks. Pick up a bottle of Gorilla Glue and reattach anything from siding to vents. If your bathrooms have fans that run when the light turns on, unscrew the vent and unplug the van, as the noise is distracting. Check faucets in the kitchen and the bathroom for any minor drips. If any are leaking, simply take apart and replace the o rings. And don’t forget the air freshener plug-ins to remove any stale air or pet odors.

With house values fluctuating in the current economy, be proactive and get the most of your house worth when selling your home.