Adding Value to Your Home

Whether you have owned a house for a long time or are selling your first home after only a few years, there are a number of ideas that can add value to your house. Depending on the general condition of your home, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money to improve your home. The following information will help you get the best value for your investment.

Landscaping - the outside of your home is the first thing a potential buyer sees. Your front lawn, flower bed, porch, sidewalk and driveway should be well maintained, neat and uncluttered. The painting, siding and fencing should be in good condition. If there are deficiencies in any of these areas, it's not a bad idea to spend some money on improvements.

Painting the exterior and interior - It is a good idea to select colors that match the house and blend in with the neighbourhood. Exterior paint should be chosen for its year round durability as well as for its aesthetic appeal. Attention should be paid to how interior painting affects the lighting and sense of space in a room.

Replacing and adding windows - Your windows should be easy to open in the summer and spring and keep out the cold in the fall and winter. In rooms that receive little natural light, you may want to add a window or skylight.

New Floors and Carpeting - Worn carpeting and outdated tiling detract from a home. Flooring is especially important in the kitchen and bathrooms. When choosing carpeting, keep in mind the traffic in certain rooms.

Clean up - If you have a lot of clutter, you may wish to hold a garage sale to make space in your basement, closets and other storage areas.

Additions - Because of their practicality and wide appeal, garage, drive way, patio, extra bathroom or bedroom are wise investments.

Systems - These include basics like heating and plumbing to optional features like vacuflow, water conditioner or sprinkler system. Depending on the practicality of various features, you may be able to increase the value of your home.

Basement - You can partition the basement into separate areas for laundry, storage, and recreation. An extra bedroom with bathroom is an attractive option. If you do partition, keep in mind that people's preferences differ, so keep it practical.

Upgrading should be done within a reasonable time frame and budget. The cheapest way to add value to your home is to take care of it. The extra attention you devote to your home is visible to potential buyers and improves your investment in the long term.

LINDA BRASCHUK
Discover Real Estate Ltd.
201, 7909 Flint Road SE
Calgary, Alberta T2H 1G3
Phone: (403) 289-0051
 Toll Free: 1-800-653-6163
 Fax: (403) 262-4396
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