Whether you’re thinking about selling your home in the near future or want to make it feel more like your own, there are a number of ways to improve your house. While few home improvements recoup 100% of their cost, well-considered upgrades will add value and boost your quality of life while you live there.
A fresh coat of paint, updated appliances and a landscape with curb appeal are some of the most popular home improvement projects. These upgrades are relatively inexpensive and simple enough to complete on your own. They can also help improve your home’s energy efficiency, a major selling point for potential buyers.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider asking an interior designer to visit your home and give you some suggestions for improvement. They typically charge a modest fee for their services, and can often provide helpful tips that will save you time and money down the road.
Before you start making major changes, take a closer look at your current belongings and ask yourself, “What can I repurpose?” It’s tempting to think that you need to completely gut your kitchen or replace your carpets with new ones, but it’s usually a better financial move to focus on upgrades that will appeal to a wide range of potential buyers. Changing the color of your front door is a quick and easy way to boost curb appeal, while adding a window box with petunias, geraniums or ivy is an affordable and timeless way to upgrade your exterior.
Many home improvement projects, such as replacing a bathroom vanity or installing new flooring, will likely recoup most of their costs during the sales process. But some, such as a custom-built kitchen or high-end granite countertops, may not pay off. For maximum resale value, choose neutral finishes and materials that are on-trend but less expensive than bespoke options.
When it comes to financing your home improvements, cash remains the most common source of funding, according to a 2024 Houzz and Home Study. However, you can also opt for credit cards or secured loans, such as a home equity line of credit (HELOC). HELOCs offer lower interest rates than personal loans and credit cards, and they’re secured against your home’s equity stake.
If you’re considering a home improvement project, consider working with an expert to ensure that it will add value and improve your quality of life. If you’re not sure how much your project will cost, a pre-inspection from a real estate professional can help you determine which upgrades are worth the investment. If you need to store furniture or other belongings while you’re making upgrades, Extra Space Storage has convenient self storage locations throughout the U.S. Contact one of our stores for more information and to reserve a unit. Best of all, we offer flexible terms so that you can store your things as long as you need to. We’ll even hold them for you until your home is sold.