Just because you have an older house doesn’t mean that it needs to look like it. An old house is a great opportunity to change a few things and make your home just the way you like it. Put on an addition, paint the bathroom, or install some updated appliances—any will make your house look better and add to its overall price. The best ways to increase your home value can be cheap or they can be expensive. Whichever way you end up going, the destination is the same; more value on your house.
Finish the Basement
If you’ve always dreamed of a man cave or a place to binge-watch Netflix, get to it. A finished basement will add more living space to your house, which increases its appeal. Just make sure to add insulation to the walls and ceiling before the drywall. This will increase the efficiency rating and save on heating costs.
Build a Garage or Carport
If you don’t have somewhere to keep your car protected from the elements, put one in. A carport is a cheaper alternative to a garage, and it will keep your car out of the rain and snow. Not only will this make sure your vehicle stays in good shape and out of the body shop, it will also save you money in the long run.
Make it Smarter
There are hundreds of “smart” products for your home on the market right now. Every room of your house can be controlled and monitored with an app. Thermostats, doorknobs, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, security cameras, door locks, and lighting—just to name a few—are all among the smart devices you can install in your house.
Make it more Efficient
Energy efficiency is important in any home. A house with old leaky windows will never stay warm in the winter, which causes the furnace to run non-stop and leaves you with a huge gas/electric bill. Put a higher rated insulation in your attic to better insulate your home and keep energy costs down.
Upgrade One Room at a Time
You don’t need to drop thousands of dollars and have everything done at once. To start, pick a room that can be done the fastest and cheapest. Tearing down dated wallpaper and painting the bathroom will add value. Once the paint dries, put in a new toilet. Slowly, but surely, you will have a brand-new bathroom, and then you can move on to the kitchen. Just take it a room at a time.