If you are a new homeowner, your first few months will likely be spent unpacking and enjoying your new home. However, wise homeowners should keep their eyes on their property value, even if selling their house is the furthest thing from their minds. Increasing your property value will also benefit your job if you ever need a home equity loan. Here are some strategies you could use to make the most of your home:
1. Keep Your Home Clean and Decluttered
Although you may not enjoy cleaning, living in a clean home can bring contentment and satisfaction. If you do decide to sell your home someday, you’ll find it’s easier to make it ready for a sale when you’ve been keeping it clean for years. As for decluttering, statistics show that an average U.S. home has 300,000 things according to the Los Angeles Times. Do you really need everything in your home?
2. Make Your Home Energy Efficient
Making your home more eco-friendly isn’t just a trending phase. When you select appliances that use less of your natural resources, you’ll save money on your future energy bills. Choose appliances with an Energy Star logo, which denotes their ability to save water and energy. As a bonus, adding some energy-efficient features to your home can give you tax credits.
3. Have a Party and Have Fun
Every advantage of your new home doesn’t have to be in the future. One of the joys of owning your house is having fun with it. Ask your friends to bring a tray of snacks and whatever they want to drink. Turn on your favorite channel on your phone’s music app and invite everyone to dance or do karaoke all night.
4. Choose New Wall Colors
Few things will brighten the look of a home, like a fresh coat of paint. If any of the rooms in your home have an offbeat color, repaint them with a neutral color like beige or gray. If you like bolder colors, use them in your curtains or linens. To maximize your home’s resale value, choose a neutral color that a prospective buyer can imagine transforming for their preferences.
5. Remodel Your Outdoor Spaces
Even if your lawn and garden look great on the day you move in, they will need maintenance to stay green and healthy. If you’re going to do yard work, why not design a landscape instead of “just a yard.” According to Signature Concrete Design, landscaping can increase your home’s resale value by as much as 14%. You and your family will also be able to appreciate the beauty of all the years they live there.
6. Transform Your Basement
Your basement has endless possibilities, and a remodeled basement can significantly increase your property’s value. Some homeowners use their basement as a studio to express their creativity as an art studio or a rehearsal space. Families who enjoy movies can turn their basements into an entertainment center. With recliners, a big TV screen, and a small refrigerator for snacks, you and your family can enjoy years of entertainment together.
7. Treat Yourself Like a Guest
Don’t save your “fancy” plates or utensils for company. Use your best resources for a typical weeknight family dinner and TV. Bring out the fancy towels and enjoy their softness. Let every day be a grateful celebration of your family’s good fortune in having their home.
Some factors that affect your home’s value – like its location and age – aren’t within your control. However, there are measures you can take to increase the value of your home. According to Comfy Living the U.S. homeowners market is valued at over $105 billion. Take whatever measures you can to improve your property value, but take equal time to enjoy your home every day.
