Increase your home's value - simply

These are the 10 home improvements that you can make that will increase the value of your home.

·         Clean / De-clutter: Remove clutter by storing items in basement, attic or friend’s home. Rent a storage space or sell excess items, if needed. Keep every room very clean during open homes. Do pre-open house cleanliness inspections.

·         Lighten & Brighten: Replace any burnt-out bulbs and use higher wattage bulbs, if possible. Have defective electrical components repaired or replaced. Make sure skylights are clear and keep drapes open during the day.

·         Yard: Store away personal effects from front yard. Hire gardener or landscaper to trim back the overgrowth and maintain yard. Make sure that your lawn has a healthy green appearance.

·         Plumbing & Electrical: Consider repairing or replacing any defective plumbing or electrical items in your home. 

·         Staging: Buy some fresh flowers, live plants and other decorations to liven up the home. Dispose of old furniture or other large items. Consider renting furniture or hiring a staging consultant.

·         Update Kitchen & Bath: Update kitchen and baths by resurfacing cabinets or painting with neutral color. Replace toilet seats, dated fixtures and drawer/cabinet handles. Freshly caulk and redo grout in counter-tops, sinks, tubs and showers.

·         Paint Interior: Repair any damaged interior walls by patching all chips, holes and cracks; then touch up or repaint interior walls with neutral color.

·         Carpeting: If carpets are only lightly soiled, shampooing and/or spot removal should suffice. If there are rips, fading, heavy wear, smells or deep stains, replace with neutral color.

·         Flooring: Repair and refinish damaged floors, or cover with neutral-colored wall to wall carpet and note damage in your disclosure.

·         Paint Exterior: Repaint or resurface the outside walls of house, as needed. Patch and repair any damaged areas.