DIY Home Improvements to Boost Resale Value

Depending on your source, the housing market, both locally and globally, is either rebounding steadily or still hovering in the low-price end of the spectrum. Countered by tougher mortgage qualification standards and higher interest rates even for people with good credit, more people are turning from selling homes to renovating and improving their current ones. Some real estate-savvy investors are turning their new-home deposits into reinvestment funds that increase resale values and heighten enjoyment of their living spaces.

The Kitchen

A great many homeowners look to their kitchens for complete renewal, in hopes that this central gathering place will stand as a cornerstone in value escalation. Unfortunately, unless your current kitchen was decorated several decades ago, your money would be better spent in slightly redirecting your activities.

For example, instead of completely gutting your kitchen, replacing all the cabinetry, flooring and lighting, revamp the appearance of what you already have to the greatest extent possible.

Flooring: While replacing your flooring might be high on the wish list, if you can polish tiles and use decorative runners and rugs instead, you can save yourself a considerable sum of money. Whether you do replace it or just dress it up a bit, wait for this facet until all else is completed: There's no sense in marring that good-looking surface while fixing others.

Cabinetry: Changing the face of your cabinets, racks and drawers is drastically less expensive than installing all new frames. Coordinate handles and knobs for a unified look. Match wood and grain patterns and colors to meld and intrigue.

Kristina White Wine Cabinet Dresser

Window Space: Don't forget to sneak in a bit of extra space around your windows. If the basic architecture suffices, you might consider decorative shelving from your upper cabinets to the window's wall. Don't secure the shelving to the actual window, but grab that unused space for spice shelves or other oft-used items or some coordinating knickknacks if desired. What you can store above the counters leaves more room on your counters, reducing that cluttered look that sometimes sneaks in.

If your kitchen is dark, consider using light colors in your window dressing. Even on the gloomiest of days, a light, bright curtain or blinds can lighten and liven up a room quite a bit.

Bathroom

 New cabinetry can improve the look of an older bathroom significantly. Coordinate your faucets, knobs and towel racks and rings and your shower-bathtub appearance together.
A new wall or assembly in your shower will cost so much less than replacing a free-standing tub and shower assembly. It can also make cleaning it a breeze. Sliding shower doors can enhance value over a waterproof shower curtain. The style, color and pattern of your external curtain can join together your entire bathroom motif for practically pennies.

Walls: Gifting your walls with new paint, whether you keep your current color or splurge on a new one can give your interior walls a hefty facelift and boost the resale value of your house. Go light for brighter spaces or if you want the appearance of more space.

If it's been several years since you've painted the home's exterior or repaired siding and gutters, consider a facelift there as well for building even greater value in your home.

Bio: Emily is an article writer that loves sharing her knowledge on home improvement, she also works in fife property for a leading estate agents.