5 Ways To Make Your Home Worth More

Looking to increase the value of your home? Whether you are planning to put it up for sale or just want to update the look and feel of your home, it's a good idea to make some changes. Here are 5 ways you can make your home worth more.

1. Update the lighting. Replace old light fixtures with modern ones. Sun tubes are becoming increasingly popular because they bring in beautiful natural light, both sunlight and moonlight. You can also easily install dimmers, which give you the power to select exactly how much light you want in the room, whether you want a lot of light to read or study or less light for a more calming or romantic setting. 

2. Replace your kitchen countertops with granite countertops. Buyers today almost expect to see granite countertops in the kitchen, so adding these now, even if you're not planning to sell any time soon, is ideal—you'll be able to enjoy them long before you think about handing over the key. And granite counters, such as from GranBrazil Inc., just give a feel of luxury and class; you'll feel like a queen as you make that casserole dinner. 

3. Replace siding. The exterior look of your home sets the stage for expectations of the inside of your home, so it's important to keep the outside maintained and fresh. One way to dramatically improve the look of your home is to replace old or broken-down siding. You'll notice an immediate difference, as will drivers-by and potential buyers.

4. Make space. Today, people like to see a lot of open space in homes. Consider knocking out a non-structural wall or taking out a kitchen island. Vault your ceilings if it's an option. Most buyers want an open floor plan with lots of space to do what they want with it. And if you've got an unfinished basement, now's the time to finish it. You'll love the extra getaway-room for watching movies or for playing games with family and friends. 

5. Fix things. This might seem boring, but spending a few hundred dollars on a few repairs could increase the value of your home by thousands of dollars. Insulate the attic, repair plumbing leaks, replace or repair leaky windows, and replace rusty rain gutters; even weeding the flower bed will add value to your home. What people see here is work that they don't have to do themselves, something they won't have to worry about for a while—and that translates to an increased value.