Once you’ve finally settled into your new home, you may start viewing your home with a more objective eye. Perhaps there are things you’d like to change — the kitchen cabinets or the flooring, for instance.
Besides doing regular maintenance and repairs on your home, consider renovating or making improvements. These changes will not only make the home more pleasant for you to live in, but also they may increase its value. Plus, they’re a way to make your home feel more like your own.
Here are 5 things to keep in mind when planning a change or renovation:
- Think about how changes would appeal to someone buying your home in the future. You can make very personalized changes with paint because it’s inexpensive and can easily be changed. However, things like flooring, cabinets and countertops have a longer life — make choices that will also appeal to others.
- Updating the bathrooms and kitchens in an older home can increase its resale value.
- Don’t underestimate the importance of landscaping. The right planting can improve the appearance and value of your home.
- Updating your exterior paint, installing new roofing, resurfacing your walkways and driveway, adding attractive mailboxes and front-yard planting will also help make your home more appealing.
- Over time, some renovations can practically pay for themselves, especially if they result in savings on utility bills, a higher selling price, or years of greater comfort and enjoyment in your home!
Change is good, but don’t to go overboard unless you plan to stay in your home for many years. If you plan to sell your house, ensure that the changes don’t make your home worth a lot more than the other homes around you. Remember that the value of your home is closely related to the other homes in your area.