Your home is the most valuable asset that you own. However, it can quickly start to lose its worth over time, thanks to things like changes in the real estate market, and even wear and tear. Renovation projects are how you not only maintain your home’s value but potentially improve the amount you can get from a buyer when you take your property to market.
The question is, how do you differentiate an expensive home-improvement project from one that’s actually going to make you money in the long term?
We’ve hand-picked three excellent strategies for home improvement that are guaranteed to deliver a positive impact on your home.
Invest in Solar Energy
Solar panel installation is one of the most cost-effective things you can do for your home. According to a study conducted by the National Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, homes using solar panels generally sell for a lot more cash than homes without renewable energy systems. That’s because homeowners today are actively looking for ways that they can cut costs on their energy and do more for the environment at the same time.
Even if you decide that you don’t want to sell your home after your panels have been installed, you can still recoup your investment. The money you save on your energy bills and the cash rewards you can get for selling energy back to the government means that solar powers typically pay for themselves. Powering a home through solar energy saves homeowners thousands of dollars every year. Sure, it’s expensive to begin with, but it pays off later.
Focus on Curb Appeal
If you’ve ever looked into the real-estate market before, then you’ll have heard of curb appeal. Curb appeal is the term that refers to a home’s visual attractiveness when it’s viewed from the street. The next time you’re out watering your lawn in Phoenix, look around and ask yourself what buyers might think when they’re just driving past your property.
Maybe the paint on your house is chipping, or the landscaping is broken and cracked. Perhaps weeds are taking over your once-beautiful flower beds, or you’ve noticed problems with your home’s façade. Whatever it is, the worse your home looks on the outside, the less likely it is that you’ll be able to convince people to come in and check out the inside. Even repainting the front of your home could be enough to get you more attention from buyers.
Improve your Insulation
As mentioned above, today’s homeowners are keen to save both energy and the planet. One of the quickest and most affordable ways to renovate your home for future gains is to invest in some better insulation. Improving the insulation in your home will reduce the amount you need to spend on energy costs each year, and it will also make your property more attractive when it comes to joining the real estate market.
Consider sealing the cracks around your house and sealing the gaps under your doors so that you can keep your property air-tight. Invest in a thermal leak detector to figure out where you’re losing the majority of your energy. Little changes to your insulation strategy will make a huge difference to your home’s comfort, and create a place where people are comfortable living in the future.
