Having been in the real estate business for more than 28 years, we know how important it is for our clients to find their dream home. What they might not always consider is that a house doesn’t become a dream home without a little customization.

Along with dreaming up your ideal home, there is an additional aspect to consider when doing upgrades: housing values. Everyone wants their house to increase in value from the time they purchase it, and that takes some calculated renovations to achieve.

Here are four tips for increasing your home’s value (and making it a dream to live in, to boot).

Upgrade Tip #1 – Invest In a Designer

When people hear the term “interior designer”, they think of a snarky faux-professional getting angry about drapes and shag carpets. But really a designer is someone who has a professionally trained eye, who knows how to make the most out of a space, and who knows where to get the goods.

Going beyond features like furniture, they will be able to instruct you on the best colors for walls, the installation of new doors and windows to create a more aesthetically pleasing room, and a lot more. They know current trends, fair prices, and tips for timeless trends and accents you can add to your home to ensure added value down the road.

Upgrade Tip #2 – Update Your Kitchen

A modern kitchen is a must-have for added home value. USA Today published an article that claimed many homeowners will choose a home based on extras like stainless steel kitchen appliances, or an additional island for counter space.

Other luxuries like a pasta arm, extra storage, built in cutting boards, beautiful counter tops, large eating areas, and electrical appliances like compactors and double ovens can make a big difference.

Upgrade Tip #3 – Vamp Up The Yard

Curb appeal – your home is critiqued from the moment someone sees the front yard. No matter how gorgeous your house is from the inside, if the grass is overgrown or patchy, or if the shrubs are badly maintained, it is going to cause an eyesore. This immediately undermines the value of your real estate.

Take some time to redo the lawn, plant some flowers, maybe even install a fountain. Going the extra mile to hire a landscape architect can add tremendous value to your home.

For more specific ideas to boost your curb appeal, read our previous blog post “5 Tips for Anyone Wanting to Add Curb Appeal to Their Home.”

Upgrade Tip #4 – Create a Dreamy Bathroom

Like the kitchen, your bathrooms are an incredibly important part of your overall home’s value and appeal. It is also one of the more functional and necessary rooms in the house. It makes sense that you would spend more time and money to make it special.

Whether it is the installation of a large, whirlpool tub, or just some new wallpaper and a fancy faucet, one of the best things you can do is improve your bathrooms.

If you’re interested in making upgrades to your real estate, we’ve put together a list of trusted vendors in the area that you can view here. For more tips on how you can increase your home’s value, call Jensen and Company. 435.901.8333