| There are lots of ways to increase the value of | | | | 5. If you have a wood or clapboard exterior to |
| your home before putting it on the market, by | | | | your home, give serious consideration to installing |
| sprucing it up both inside and out. These little | | | | vinyl siding over it, as this can add up to $10,000 |
| home improvement projects don't have to cost a | | | | to the value of your home. And if you already |
| lot of money, but they can often maximize the | | | | have vinyl siding, give it a good pressure washing |
| value of a home. So here are some of the top 10 | | | | to freshen up the appearance of the exterior. |
| ways that you can increase the value of your | | | | 6. Putting on a fresh coat of paint both on the |
| home before its sale. | | | | inside and outside of a home can make a |
| 1. Anything that improves the appearance of the | | | | dramatic difference in its appearance, and is fairly |
| home would usually add value, and decorative | | | | inexpensive and easily accomplished by most |
| moldings for both the interior and exterior can | | | | homeowners themselves. |
| add a lot to a home's appearance. They can often | | | | 7. If your carpeting or vinyl flooring is starting to |
| be installed by the homeowner themselves and | | | | show serious wear this can affect the appearance |
| are readily available at most home improvement | | | | of an entire room. So replace any areas that are |
| stores. | | | | showing lots of wear to help build the home's |
| 2. One of the most important areas of the home | | | | value. Sometimes just a good carpet cleaning can |
| that contribute toward the overall resale value is | | | | do wonders too. |
| the kitchen. Quite often, it's a good idea to update | | | | 8. Newer and more modern appliances such as |
| older kitchens by replacing cabinets and | | | | the refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and so on can |
| countertops with more modern materials. If a | | | | contribute substantially toward the value of your |
| complete overhaul will be too expensive, you may | | | | home as well. |
| also want to consider simply refacing the cabinets | | | | 9. The outside of your home is the first thing that |
| and changing out items like the cabinet hardware | | | | most home buyers will see, and here is where a |
| and hinges, as well as the kitchen faucet for the | | | | well maintained yard with properly placed flowers |
| most cost-effective cosmetic effect. | | | | and shrubs can create a pleasing exterior that |
| 3. The bathroom is another one of the most | | | | invites visitors in for a closer look inside the home. |
| important areas of the house for home | | | | 10. Sometimes adding a new deck to your home |
| improvement. Resurfacing the tub, changing out | | | | can be a good selling point too. A nice wooden |
| some of the tile and updating it, and installing a | | | | deck with a comfortable patio set would provide |
| more modern vanity and faucet can go a long | | | | a recreational area that appeals to many home |
| way toward improving the bathroom's | | | | buyers. |
| appearance and bringing it more up to date. | | | | Of course, you can only make the home |
| 4. A new roof can help out as it is one of the | | | | improvements that your budget will allow. But |
| first things that prospective buyers will see, and | | | | many of these suggestions listed above are not |
| your investment here will often come back to | | | | expensive at all. All of them however will enhance |
| you because many buyers appreciate the value | | | | the appearance and the value of almost any |
| of a new roof. | | | | home. |