How to Make Your Home Worth More

When you want to increase the value of your property, there are several things you can do that will really pay off.

The first is maintenance. Buyers expect a home to be maintained and they won't pay more for repairs and maintenance items. So before you embark on any home improvements, make sure you fix items that aren't fully functioning as intended. Anything electrical, plumbing, roof, foundation, pool, heat and ac, ... needs to be working as it should. Don't think buyers won't notice if they aren't - they will. And if they don't, their savvy agent will point it out to them.

Then when you're ready to increase the value of your property, follow these 10 tips from this builder, Elite Craft Homes. They are fantastic pieces of advice and are very applicable to Dallas homes.

Here are their top 10 tips that will increase the price of your home:

1. Landscape: " Landscaping gives you the highest return on your money and can totally transform the exterior look and feel of your home. Make your front yard a colorful and well-groomed space."
2. Spiff up your Front Door: "Sand it and stain it or simply repaint it. Either way, you’ll get true results by making your front door the focal point of your home’s curb appeal. Don’t forget about the door’s hardware, the surrounding lighting, and potted plants on either side"
3. Make an impressive Pathway: "The pathway to your front door is the first chance you have to impress guests. It needs to stand out. Brick pavers, or other high-end materials, will impress potential buyers. Planting flowers along the pathway and adding exterior lighting only accentuates the charm"
4. Fix up your Foyer: "Your foyer is the first thing that people see when they walk into your home, so it needs to be welcoming. It should be free from clutter and guests shouldn’t feel confined when moving around so clear out bulky furniture. Be sure the lighting is good and that the line of view is unrestricted to other parts of the house."
5. Update your Lighting: "The right lighting is the crowning jewel of any room. It makes smaller homes feel larger and darker homes feel more cheerful and bright. Update your lighting and you’ll see instant results that will be sure to improve the feel of any room."
6. Choose your Paint wisely: "If you’re trying to sell your home, this is always a tricky thing. While you don’t want to use bold, vibrant colors that may not appeal to everyone, you also don’t want to be too bland with white or beige. Carefully choose rich colors that have a wide appeal and don’t forget to accentuate windows, trim, molding and baseboards."
7. Avoid major Overhauls: "This applies to potential sellers and their kitchens and bathrooms. If you’re going to sell, avoid remodeling these rooms and focus on smaller, less expensive ways of sprucing up these spaces.  Update lighting, replace knobs or pulls on cabinets and drawers, install new faucets, nozzles and mirrors."
8. Paint your Cabinets: "If moving, it’s risky to dump a ton of money into replacing or refinishing your cabinets. Instead, try putting in some sweat equity and paint them. It’s amazing what a coat of fresh color can do to improve a kitchen or bathroom’s look."
9. Get the right Flooring: "Worn, stained carpet and vinyl flooring will age your home. Replace the old stuff with new carpet or updated materials like tile, stone, laminate, or hardwood."
10. Make your Backyard entertaining: "By creating a backyard space that is perfect for entertaining, you’re helping potential buyers visualize all the good times they could have if the space was theirs. By simply adding some new patio furniture, a fire bowl, potted plants, and exterior lighting, your space becomes inviting and ready for guests."

I would add to this tip:

• Make the master bedroom suite feel like a romantic, luxury hotel. Simplify the accessories, use fluffy white linens and towels, remove personal photos, and give it plenty of relaxing, breathing room. [where: 75230]