This is certainly a seller’s market so if you’re thinking of selling it makes sense to get maximum dollars. Some upgrades to consider:

• Replace the front door: It sounds simple but an attractive front door is a very cost-effective way to increase your home’s value.
• A new coat of paint: Again, a simple solution that will imeediately add to the attractiveness of your home.
• Hardwood floors: repacing carpet with hardwood floors generally has an ROI of between 70 to 80 percent. If you can afford it, it might make sense.
• Energy-efficient appliances: Younger buyers such as millennials are all about improving energy and water efficiency. Is it time to upgrade your appliances?
• Sensible kitchen remodel: While a full-blown kitchen remodel may be out of reach for many, simple touches such as re-finishing cabinets can go a long way in making this hub of the house more appealing.
• Patio or deck addition: If you have the outdoor space, a simple deck or patio addition will certainly add value to your home.
• Extra livable space: With more and more people working remotely, space is at a premium and, obviously, the more, the better. Even an extra bathroom or mother-in-law suite can make your home stand out from the competition.

Earlier we looked at cost savings upgrades that homeowners can make to increase the value of their home. These come courtesy of Trulia’s Real Estate 101 series.

1. Check the floors
   As with paint, improving the look of your floors can have a dramatic impact at an economical price. If there’s a hardwood floor underneath that old carpet, it may be time to for the shag to go. A worn hardwood floor can be brought back to life with sanding and refinishing. If you do the sanding yourself – be careful! Kitchens and bathrooms can be improved with new or updated tile or laminate flooring.
2. Home staging
   If you’re actually getting ready to sell, consider staging your home to make it as visually appealing as possible. Remove all clutter and personal items that might prove distracting. Bright lighting can make spaces seem larger.
3. Curb appeal
   Would-be buyers’ first impression of your home will come as they pull up in their car. Landscaping, repainting, siding repair, sealing cracks in the driveway etc. will all go along way to make your home as attractive as possible – even before they step inside.

Trulia’s always-informative Real Estate 101 series has an excellent article on home improvement for under $1,000! Of course, any of these suggestions – particularly the kitchen and bathroom remodels – can easily run to ten times that amount so please use caution and prudence so as not to get carried away.

1. Kitchen remodel
   We all know the value of kitchen and bathroom remodels – here the idea is keep these rooms from looking terribly dated with modest improvements. For starters, replace black appliances with stainless steel and upgrade from laminate countertops to granite such as St. Cecilia, Napoli, or Baltic Brown. And while you’re at it, consider refinishing or repainting your cabinetry and updating the hardware. You’ll be surprised how fresh and modern this can make any kitchen look.
2. Bathroom upgrade
   Start by replacing those out-dated 3-by-3 ceramic tiles with a modern look like 12-by-12 porcelain tiles (in a neutral color) or the white “subway-style” ceramic. Instead of replacing the entire sink, consider just updating the the faucet to chrome. Just as important: clean the bathroom from top to bottom so that even that old grout shines!
3. Repaint with neutral colors
   Certainly a fresh coat of paint will spruce up any room but make sure to use neutral colors so that a prospective buyer’s first thought isn’t “That navy blue living room has to go.” Even if it’s not exactly to their taste, a neutral color will be something they can live with – at least for a time.

Next time – even more cost saving ideas to add value to your home.